INTERVIEW. With Zoltan ISTVAN. About his potential and future US presidency. On how transhumanism can change our lives to better. On global science and prosperity against greed and “greatness”.. On whether he’d supported Universal Declaration of Animal Rights. His difference with Donald Trump and a possibility of a future like in Star Wars…
Zoltan ISTVAN is an American transhumanist, journalist, entrepreneur and futurist. He formerly was a reporter for the National Geographic Channel. Istvan has also been featured in The New York Times, Vice, Wired, The Huffington Post, TechCrunch and Newsweek. Istvan regularly appears on television and video channels discussing futurist topics. He is widely perceived as one of the world’s most influential transhumanists and believes transhumanism will grow into a mainstream social movement in the next decade
Istvan was running for President of the United States in the 2016 elections. He ran for his own Transhumanist Party. Later, in 2017, Istvan ran for Governor of California, in the 2018 election as a member of the Libertarian Party. In 2019 Istvan ran for the Republican Party’s nomination in the 2020 United States presidential election, hoping to win the Republican Party’s nomination against President Donald Trump.
Istvan has a degree from Columbia University in philosophy and religion.
He also invented, pioneered and popularized the extreme sport of volcano boarding. He wrote Transhumanist Bill of rights. And he made a documentary about Kashmir war.
The journalist Sofia TERESHCHENKO took an exclusive interview with the future President of the United States and the head transhumanist in the world.
Will we ever be lucky to have you as a President? Do you consider running for the US presidency again and in the near future? And if yes, hopefully, share with us more about your political campaign?
It’s likely will have a real shot at the Presidency in 12 or 16 years, when transhumanism becomes a serious concern. So I definitely do plan to run again, and as always, I’ll run on a science and technology platform that uses the Scientific Method as the basis of decision-making.
Tell us about transhumanism, what is it and how can this literally change people’s lives?
Transhumanism is a social movement of millions of people around the world that want to use science and technology to modify themselves and their bodies.
Is immortality possible? And what should be done in order to gain this goal of immortality?
Immortality through science and tech is absolutely possible, and I’m quite certain it will be achieved within 20-35 years.
Credits: Facebook @ZoltanGIstvan
What are the modern challenges that all world leaders disregard today the most, in your opinion?
They disregard the power of science. Most leaders are older and just not really with the times. We need younger people to lead the world, since they are more in touch with progress.
Could a combination of transhumanism and environmentalism be the perfect mix for the secret recipe of saving the earth? Could be the team of transhumanists and ecologists be the type of specialists that are really missing from today’s political agenda?
Yes, I think transhumanism is the best cure for destruction of the planet. We will create all sorts of new technologies that help to restore the planet to its pristine condition, such as geo-engineering and nanotechnology.
How can we stop radicalization of the youth from turning into ultra-left or ultra-right, and actually strive their interest and attention into the golden mean: sciences, progress, technology and education, like transhumanism?
I don’t have an easy answer for this. To begin with, I think social media is making people more aggressive as a whole. So until we learn to be better with one another, we might not actually get to learning the good stuff, like science and education.
Zoltan Istvan in Lisbon at the House of Beautiful Business at Portugal Academy of Sciences
What is the balance that’s missing between society, elites and power today, that causes all these clashes we’ve observed these days?
I think a universal basic income could be really helpful in making all people get along better. A lot of the most angry people are also the poorest.
Can global progress and development become as progressive and magnificent as it is pictured in Star Wars for example? Can we have a world of smart machines, flying crafts, laser guns, more space travelings and more importantly literal iron health like Han Solo and Luke Skywalker had? Can you tell explain how all of this is still possible if we start making smart choices in our lives; starting with voting; can you explain this to those who’ve lost their hopes in a better future…
I don’t think we’ll ever get to a Star Wars world. That’s because as tech improves, we’ll probably choose to merge with machines, which are far more sturdy than biology. I think we’ll live uploaded versions of ourselves in the cloud, and eventually – within a 100 years – we’ll become pure energy. I believe in the Singularity.
How will the co-existence of humans and cyborgs help and ease human lives?
I think cyborgs will help humans for a decade or two, but eventually we’ll all become cyborgs, and probably within a single generation.
I really admire how you keep the golden mean between the democratic and republican ideas without being aggressive and obstinate. Can you give an advice to the people, politicians and youth on how to hold that balancing fire of wisdom inside?
The key is to know that all political extremes are dangerous. And furthermore, as a believer of the Scientific Method, the reality is anything we think may still be wrong in the long run. So we need to remain open minded at all times. That’s critical for me, and how I stay balanced.
Credits: Facebook @ZoltanGIstvan
Can you name, please, the main differences between you and Donald Trump? In economics, in social politics, in internal politics, in international relations. What would you do if you were the President today?
The main difference is that I believe we should lead society with science and technology in every decision.
I’m also a lot nicer of a person than Trump too. I don’t think we need to make fun of someone to get one’s point across. I don’t think we need to divide society so much. I believe in trying to respect everyone, including my opponents.
What is your vision of a perfect future?
Not dying!
What is your stance towards animal welfare? Would you support such thing as Universal Declaration of Animal Rights so that animals could have their basic rights written and protected by law in the same way humans are?
I would support a Universal Declaration of Animal Rights. I think leading society to a meatless society is a good moral aim as well.
Zoltan Istvan in Dubai at a UAE Prime Minister’s Office event for Government Services
Now the question that should definitely concern all people. Can transhumanism help prolong our pets’ lives and make animals more communicative with humans?
Yes, transhumanism will eventually make animals live forever too. And we’ll be able to upgrade our animals with implants and genetic editing. It’s possible our dogs and cats will be able to speak and communicate within 15 years time through new tech that reads their minds and voices their thoughts.
The bonus question I ask everybody I interview. Tell me your opinion and explain it to me, where are the dinosaurs in the Bible in your opinion?
The Bible is a collection of stories that have something to teach us, and it’s of massive historical importance. But it’s not the word of God. I’m not a believer in God, but if God did ever give us its teachings, it would probably be something like quantum physics.
Your favorite books that you recommend?
Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse. The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand. The Transhumanist Wager by Zoltan Istvan.
Zoltan Istvan is the real modern candidate for US presidency of the 21st century. He is young and not striven into greediness and selfish ambitions. He’s a friend to science and social justice. His words are not just empty promises of a chimerical future where everybody will live happily ever after, he’s straight to the point that our future depends and can only be “destined” to survive and be bright, if we forget greediness and aggression, and remember that we are the kids of science and technology, which can help us to live and to thrive, and just survive.
You can purchase all Zoltan Istvan’s bestseller books on his Amazon.
Also visit Zoltan Istvan’s website for more: http://zoltanistvan.com/
