In this episode of LongeCity interview, Calvin Mercer, Professor of Religious Studies at East Carolina University, explores how emerging technologies, particularly those related to human enhancement and life extension, intersect with spirituality and religion.

Key Points:

Calvin Mercer delves into how advancing technologies, particularly those related to life extension and human enhancement, will influence religious beliefs and practices. He stresses the need for dialogue between religious communities and transhumanists to navigate the future of human evolution.

• Impact of Technology on Religion: Mercer emphasizes the importance of understanding how technological progress, such as human enhancement and radical life extension, will affect religious populations and their beliefs.
• Transhumanism and Religious Perspectives: He explains the tension between transhumanism, which is rooted in science and technology, and religious views. While some transhumanists dismiss religion, Mercer argues that understanding religious people is crucial for the success of transhumanist projects.
• Embodiment and Transhumanism: Mercer highlights the debate surrounding the role of the body in transhumanist scenarios, such as mind uploading. He discusses how some religious doctrines, like transformational resurrection, could align with transhumanist ideas of enhanced bodies.
• Differences in Religious Views on Longevity: Mercer contrasts how different religious traditions, like Christianity and karmic religions, view life extension and super-longevity, with Western religions focusing on one life and karmic religions on reincarnation.
• Cryonics and Religion: The episode also touches on cryonics, with Mercer noting that while cryonics has faced resistance from the wider public and religious communities, it can be conceptualized from a theological perspective.
• Moral and Spiritual Enhancement: Mercer discusses the future of moral and spiritual enhancement through technology, including AI, hallucinogenic agents, and brain stimulation tools like transcranial magnetic stimulation.