Space travel, particle physics, cosmology. These are just some of the endeavors humankind has embarked on, trying to understand the great mysteries of the universe. But why haven’t we been able to decipher those puzzles yet? Is it because they are vast and we are so small and insignificant? Well, yes.

Nanotechnology is very intertwined with the future of all technology.  But can we disregard the potential dangers it might pose?

It’s interesting to consider virtual communities as social groups of great potential. The way they are formed is shaped by many things: technological infrastructure, platform or program design, but also by the actions of the members themselves.

Singularity Institute’s Executive Director Luke Muehlhauser interviews AGI researcher (and Humanity+ Magazine Chief Editor, and Humanity+ Vice Chairman) Ben Goertzel on the nature and risks of AGI.

Before oblivion, before geology or cosmology; before Minimalism, Pink Floyd, Quantum Physics, Mind Control, Math Rock, Electronic Imaging; before Buddha, even before the cosmic microwave frequency; you only have to pose a single question;

“What was there before the Big Bang?”

Ask that and you’re immediately in trouble.

The idea of producing artificial or synthetic life has long fascinated mankind and from ancient times many human and animal-imitating “automata” or self-operating machines have been created for entertainment, instructional, and sometimes religious purposes. The creation of actual synthetic biological life only became possible with the discovery of the structure of DNA, the genetic code, and the development of the basic tools of molecular biology, such as the ability to isolate, sequence, and join different DNA sequences.

When we think in a grander scope of time and space, both the past and the future can be very thought-provoking, or even elicit powerful emotional responses. But why are our imaginations so easily captivated by stories and images of cavemen and spacemen? Romans and sentient AIs. Fred Flintstone and George Jetson.

A Robot Bill of Rights is needed to reflect a new perspective in the way humans see future robots – not only as mechanical slaves but as sentient beings.

Ben Goertzel interviews Adam Ford about the upcoming Humanity+ @Melbourne (May 5-6 2012), which will feature Aubrey de Grey, Natasha Vita-More, Stelarc and many more inspiring speakers.

Schwann Cybershaman, an h+ magazine writer and filmmaker, has been compiling a video series of lectures by the late Terence McKenna, the psychedelic philosopher and proto-transhumanist. Whether or not you agree with McKenna’s specific views, his breadth of knowledge and the boldness of theorizing will have you thinking about life, the universe, and everything in novel ways.