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Letter from Utopia
Dear Human,
Greetings, and may this letter find you at peace and in prosperity! Forgive my writing to you out of the blue. Though you and I have never met, we are not strangers. We are, in a certain sense, the closest of kin. I am one of your possible futures.
I hope you will become me. Should fortune grant this wish, then I am not just a possible future of yours, but your actual future: a coming phase of you, like the full moon that follows a waxing crescent, or like the flower that follows a seed.
I am writing to tell you about my life – how good it is – that you may choose it for yourself.
Although this letter uses the singular, I am really writing on behalf of my all my contemporaries, and we are addressing ourselves to all of your contemporaries. Amongst us are many who are possible futures of your people. Some of us are possible futures of children you have not yet given birth to. Still others are possible artificial persons that you might one day create. What unites us is that we are all dependent on you to make us real.
You can think of this note as if it were an invitation to a ball that will take place only if folks turn up.
We call the lives we lead here “Utopia”.
Greetings, and may this letter find you at peace and in prosperity! Forgive my writing to you out of the blue. Though you and I have never met, we are not strangers. We are, in a certain sense, the closest of kin. I am one of your possible futures.
I hope you will become me. Should fortune grant this wish, then I am not just a possible future of yours, but your actual future: a coming phase of you, like the full moon that follows a waxing crescent, or like the flower that follows a seed.
I am writing to tell you about my life – how good it is – that you may choose it for yourself.
Although this letter uses the singular, I am really writing on behalf of my all my contemporaries, and we are addressing ourselves to all of your contemporaries. Amongst us are many who are possible futures of your people. Some of us are possible futures of children you have not yet given birth to. Still others are possible artificial persons that you might one day create. What unites us is that we are all dependent on you to make us real.
You can think of this note as if it were an invitation to a ball that will take place only if folks turn up.
We call the lives we lead here “Utopia”.
- GenresPhilosophyShort Stories
8 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2008
About the author
Nick Bostrom
27 books1,624 followersNick Bostrom is Professor at Oxford University, where he is the founding Director of the Future of Humanity Institute. He also directs the Strategic Artificial Intelligence Research Center. He is the author of some 200 publications, including Anthropic Bias (Routledge, 2002), Global Catastrophic Risks (ed., OUP, 2008), Human Enhancement (ed., OUP, 2009), and Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies (OUP, 2014), a New York Times bestseller.
Bostrom holds bachelor degrees in artificial intelligence, philosophy, mathematics and logic followed by master’s degrees in philosophy, physics and computational neuroscience. In 2000, he was awarded a PhD in Philosophy from the London School of Economics.
He is recipient of a Eugene R. Gannon Award (one person selected annually worldwide from the fields of philosophy, mathematics, the arts and other humanities, and the natural sciences). He has been listed on Foreign Policy's Top 100 Global Thinkers list twice; and he was included on Prospect magazine's World Thinkers list, the youngest person in the top 15 from all fields and the highest-ranked analytic philosopher. His writings have been translated into 24 languages. There have been more than 100 translations and reprints of his works. During his time in London, Bostrom also did some turns on London’s stand-up comedy circuit.
Nick is best known for his work on existential risk, the anthropic principle, human enhancement ethics, the simulation argument, artificial intelligence risks, the reversal test, and practical implications of consequentialism. The bestseller Superintelligence, and FHI’s work on AI, has changed the global conversation on the future of machine intelligence, helping to stimulate the emergence of a new field of technical research on scalable AI control.
More: https://nickbostrom.com
Bostrom holds bachelor degrees in artificial intelligence, philosophy, mathematics and logic followed by master’s degrees in philosophy, physics and computational neuroscience. In 2000, he was awarded a PhD in Philosophy from the London School of Economics.
He is recipient of a Eugene R. Gannon Award (one person selected annually worldwide from the fields of philosophy, mathematics, the arts and other humanities, and the natural sciences). He has been listed on Foreign Policy's Top 100 Global Thinkers list twice; and he was included on Prospect magazine's World Thinkers list, the youngest person in the top 15 from all fields and the highest-ranked analytic philosopher. His writings have been translated into 24 languages. There have been more than 100 translations and reprints of his works. During his time in London, Bostrom also did some turns on London’s stand-up comedy circuit.
Nick is best known for his work on existential risk, the anthropic principle, human enhancement ethics, the simulation argument, artificial intelligence risks, the reversal test, and practical implications of consequentialism. The bestseller Superintelligence, and FHI’s work on AI, has changed the global conversation on the future of machine intelligence, helping to stimulate the emergence of a new field of technical research on scalable AI control.
More: https://nickbostrom.com
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 9, 2018
Okay. First and foremost, this "book" is just 9 pages long, and freely available at
https://nickbostrom.com/utopia.pdf
So there is literally no reason for you to NOT read it.
Now moving on to the review, I wouldnt call this a book, I'd rather call it as a pamphlet for transhumanism, like a sort of a information brochure.
The book starts with a evolved human, living in the future writing to his present, lesser evolved counterpart, describing utopia he lives in, and urging the present day self to make efforts so as his to the fact that his future utopia can exist.
I am afraid I cannot add anymore information to the contents of the letter without marking it as a spoiler, something which I have absolutely no intention of doing.
But given that its only 9 pages long, you may as well make the effort and read it.
https://nickbostrom.com/utopia.pdf
So there is literally no reason for you to NOT read it.
Now moving on to the review, I wouldnt call this a book, I'd rather call it as a pamphlet for transhumanism, like a sort of a information brochure.
The book starts with a evolved human, living in the future writing to his present, lesser evolved counterpart, describing utopia he lives in, and urging the present day self to make efforts so as his to the fact that his future utopia can exist.
I am afraid I cannot add anymore information to the contents of the letter without marking it as a spoiler, something which I have absolutely no intention of doing.
But given that its only 9 pages long, you may as well make the effort and read it.
January 27, 2022
All hail Transhumanism!
March 25, 2021
Adding this as of 3.24.21 @ 7:40 PM-- stumbled across https://www.nickbostrom.com/ & then https://www.nickbostrom.com/utopia.html earlier this year (I think?), & I've perused various other works published therein as well...In short, I love it!
As I'd expressed some thoughts/feelings of mine within a January 29th of 2021 note to myself:
"Lately, I’ve been meditating on what I perceive to be some connections between the Western Christian ideas of 'sanctification-glorification', the Eastern Christian ideas of '[apo]theosis/deification/divinization/illumination', & what seem to be certain emerging popular science conversations about trans-humanism (at the very least) & post-humanism (at the most) + thinking about how my neighbors in life would consider the pros & cons of trans-humanism & post-humanism as potential goals."
In other words-- what if 'God' 'is' (the apophatic dimension of me feels compelled to phrase things like this), & what if 'God' 'seeks' to accomplish glorification / theosis via trans-to-post-humanism?
[In some ways, this train of questioning is similar to those who would ask: what if God created the cosmos via The Big Bang & is creating the cosmos via evolution?]
From what I can tell: neither I nor most trans-humanist or post-humanist sources from which I've been reading would say we ought to be reckless, hasty, & vain as we move toward the future...Rather, we need to strive to work together to improve our relationships toward the cosmos & toward each other-- to labor unto wisdom, patience, & humility!
As we brainstorm various futures, may we aim to do so in ever deepening love for all our dear neighbors in life (i.e. to care for each other & for plants & non-human animals & stars & so forth; to become evermore anti-racist, anti-sexist, anti-ableist, pro-LGBTQIA+, & so so on)!
Thank you for being you & thank you for reading,
-- Weston ♾️😎🖖🏻♾️
As I'd expressed some thoughts/feelings of mine within a January 29th of 2021 note to myself:
"Lately, I’ve been meditating on what I perceive to be some connections between the Western Christian ideas of 'sanctification-glorification', the Eastern Christian ideas of '[apo]theosis/deification/divinization/illumination', & what seem to be certain emerging popular science conversations about trans-humanism (at the very least) & post-humanism (at the most) + thinking about how my neighbors in life would consider the pros & cons of trans-humanism & post-humanism as potential goals."
In other words-- what if 'God' 'is' (the apophatic dimension of me feels compelled to phrase things like this), & what if 'God' 'seeks' to accomplish glorification / theosis via trans-to-post-humanism?
[In some ways, this train of questioning is similar to those who would ask: what if God created the cosmos via The Big Bang & is creating the cosmos via evolution?]
From what I can tell: neither I nor most trans-humanist or post-humanist sources from which I've been reading would say we ought to be reckless, hasty, & vain as we move toward the future...Rather, we need to strive to work together to improve our relationships toward the cosmos & toward each other-- to labor unto wisdom, patience, & humility!
As we brainstorm various futures, may we aim to do so in ever deepening love for all our dear neighbors in life (i.e. to care for each other & for plants & non-human animals & stars & so forth; to become evermore anti-racist, anti-sexist, anti-ableist, pro-LGBTQIA+, & so so on)!
Thank you for being you & thank you for reading,
-- Weston ♾️😎🖖🏻♾️
March 18, 2023
Nick Bostrom is a philosopher and futurist who deals with the ethical and existential questions that arise from the development of artificial intelligence, biotechnology and other transhumanist technologies. In his essay Letter From Utopia, he lets a possible future version of ourselves speak, who writes to us from a time that is so wonderful and desirable that words can hardly do it justice. This future version calls her life "Utopia" and describes it as an endless succession of blissful moments that encompass all aspects of human existence: knowledge, love, friendship, art, play, prayer and more. She invites us to choose this future for ourselves and do everything we can to make it happen.
The essay is a motivating call for striving for our best future. It shows us a vision of what could be possible if we improved our cognitive abilities, extended our lifespan and maximized our well-being. It urges us not to be satisfied with the status quo or with mediocrity. It reminds us that we have not yet awakened and that we can experience much more.
However, the essay also has some weaknesses. For one thing, it neglects the current suffering of many people in the world. It does not address how we can solve the global problems that threaten our existence or reduce our quality of life. It seems to assume that we can just continue as before and eventually reach Utopia. Secondly, it implies a moral duty to create future happy lives. It suggests that we owe it to our possible descendants to give them the chance to experience Utopia. However, it ignores the possibility of a negative utilitarianism which says that we should only minimize suffering and not maximize happiness.
Despite these criticisms, Letter From Utopia is an inspiring and provocative text that stimulates thought. It opens our eyes to the potential of the human mind and to the beauty of life. It challenges us to transcend our limits and realize our dreams.
The essay is a motivating call for striving for our best future. It shows us a vision of what could be possible if we improved our cognitive abilities, extended our lifespan and maximized our well-being. It urges us not to be satisfied with the status quo or with mediocrity. It reminds us that we have not yet awakened and that we can experience much more.
However, the essay also has some weaknesses. For one thing, it neglects the current suffering of many people in the world. It does not address how we can solve the global problems that threaten our existence or reduce our quality of life. It seems to assume that we can just continue as before and eventually reach Utopia. Secondly, it implies a moral duty to create future happy lives. It suggests that we owe it to our possible descendants to give them the chance to experience Utopia. However, it ignores the possibility of a negative utilitarianism which says that we should only minimize suffering and not maximize happiness.
Despite these criticisms, Letter From Utopia is an inspiring and provocative text that stimulates thought. It opens our eyes to the potential of the human mind and to the beauty of life. It challenges us to transcend our limits and realize our dreams.
August 18, 2020
Bostrom posits here that by, 1. conquering biology and achieve immortality; 2. expand the powers of the brain; and 3. eliminate human suffering as best one could, humanity would arrive at a utopia, where life is endlessly (literally) full of bliss and meaning - an objectively, exponentially superior state than any humanity has ever known.
I'm not sure what to think of this. On one hand, I'm confronted with the question of whether a utopia is ever possible, to which I must say that I am one of those people who still harbor hope for humanity, and think that it has a long future ahead (writing this in 2020, I must seem incredibly naive - but there you are). Yes, as a hypothetical question, I do think that a utopia - one as described by Bostrom here - is theoretically possible. Perhaps.
But is it, really? Are semi-immortality, expanded cognition, and the maximization of pleasure and elimination of suffering really possible? And if they are, will they deliver us to utopia, truly? I find myself doubting that, but I'm not quite what reasons I have to counter Bostrom's positions here, except for the "instinctive" feeling that suffering and life is ultimately inseparable from each other.
Even so, does that mean that the pursuit of this utopia through these means worth the old college try? Absolutely, I think. It may not get us to utopia after all, but longer (and presumably healthier) lives, better cognition capabilities, and less suffering are undoubtedly and objectively good things.
I'm not sure what to think of this. On one hand, I'm confronted with the question of whether a utopia is ever possible, to which I must say that I am one of those people who still harbor hope for humanity, and think that it has a long future ahead (writing this in 2020, I must seem incredibly naive - but there you are). Yes, as a hypothetical question, I do think that a utopia - one as described by Bostrom here - is theoretically possible. Perhaps.
But is it, really? Are semi-immortality, expanded cognition, and the maximization of pleasure and elimination of suffering really possible? And if they are, will they deliver us to utopia, truly? I find myself doubting that, but I'm not quite what reasons I have to counter Bostrom's positions here, except for the "instinctive" feeling that suffering and life is ultimately inseparable from each other.
Even so, does that mean that the pursuit of this utopia through these means worth the old college try? Absolutely, I think. It may not get us to utopia after all, but longer (and presumably healthier) lives, better cognition capabilities, and less suffering are undoubtedly and objectively good things.
March 16, 2019
An amusing entreaty that shows that the art of verbiage has not been lost in one of our possible futures.
Favorite quotes:
"Special moments are out-of-equilibrium experiences in which our puddles are stirred up and splashed about; yet when normalcy returns we are usually relieved. We are built for mundane functionality, not lasting bliss."
"Your body is a deathtrap. This vital machine and mortal vehicle, unless it jams first or crashes, is sure to rust anon."
"What is Tragedy in Utopia? There is tragedy in Snowman’s melting. Mass murders are not required."
Favorite quotes:
"Special moments are out-of-equilibrium experiences in which our puddles are stirred up and splashed about; yet when normalcy returns we are usually relieved. We are built for mundane functionality, not lasting bliss."
"Your body is a deathtrap. This vital machine and mortal vehicle, unless it jams first or crashes, is sure to rust anon."
"What is Tragedy in Utopia? There is tragedy in Snowman’s melting. Mass murders are not required."
December 19, 2024
A transhumanist manifesto of sorts. Bostrom writes “back” from the future, spreading the good word from utopia. A world without suffering, ageing and bodies. Get on board now to make it happen.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews