#113: Immortality and Cyborg Anthropology (ft. William Dawley and Fartein Nilsen)

Anthropologists William Dawley and Fartein Nilsen join us to discuss their work on a fascinating project ‘Technoscientific Immortality: A study of Human Futures’, covering the current technologies and philosophies of people trying to live forever and the challenges this poses to existing kinship relations.

It’s an extensive discussion covering cryonics, anti-aging, death-ism & the idea of finitude giving value to life, extending life for everyone, extending ‘life’ through digital tech, interactive memorials, facebook memorial pages, chatbot relationships, digital immortalist’s and more.

Part 2 of this conversation is a patron only episode. Become a patron at patreon.com/itsnotjustinyourhead to gain early access to episodes, our discord server, and monthly reading/discussion groups.

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References:

Technoscientific Immortality: A study of Human Futures: https://www.uib.no/en/immortality

William Dawley: https://www.uib.no/en/persons/William.Dawley

Fartein Nilsen: https://www.uib.no/en/persons/Fartein.Hauan.Nilsen

RAADfest (Revolution Against Aging and Death Festival): https://raadfest.com

Eterni.me lets you Skype with the dead: https://www.cnet.com/culture/eterni-me-lets-you-skype-with-the-dead/

How a Son Made a Chatbot of His Dying Dad: https://www.wired.com/video/watch/how-a-son-made-a-chat-bot-of-his-dying-dad

StoryFile Life | Interactive Memory Keeping App: https://life.storyfile.com/

HereAfter AI — Interactive Memory App: https://www.hereafter.ai/

All the Ghosts in the Machine: The Digital Afterlife of your Personal Data : https://www.amazon.co.uk/All-Ghosts-Machine-Illusions-Immortality/dp/147214189X

Meme successful people coffin: https://starecat.com/content/wp-content/uploads/coffin-successful-people-unsuccessful-people-comparison.jpg

Church of perpetual life: https://www.churchofperpetuallife.org/

Replika - Virtual AI Friend: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/replika-virtual-ai-friend/id1158555867

Black Transhuman Liberation Theology: Technology and Spirituality: https://www.amazon.com/Black-Transhuman-Liberation-Theology-Spirituality/dp/1350081930

Immortality: The Quest to Live Forever and How It Drives Civilization: https://www.amazon.com/Immortality-Quest-Forever-Drives-Civilization/dp/1510716157

Mark Fisher (“loss of loss”) Ghosts of My Life: Writings on Depression, Hauntology and Lost Futures:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20863042-ghosts-of-my-life?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=uuTdNHdEZK&rank=1

IBM and the Holocaust: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_and_the_Holocaust

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Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/itsnotjustinyourhead

Email us with feedback, questions, suggestions at itsnotjustinyourhead@gmail.com.

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Harriet’s other shows:

WBAI Interpersonal Update (Wednesdays): https://wbai.org/program.php?program=431

Capitalism Hits Home: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPJpiw1WYdTNYvke-gNRdml1Z2lwz0iEH

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ATTENTION! This is a Boring Dystopia/Obligatory 'don't sue us' message: This podcast provides numerous different perspectives and criticisms of the mental health space, however, it should not be considered medical advice. Please consult your medical professional with regards to any health decisions or management.