To Be a Machine

To Be a Machine follows journalist Mark O'Connell as he investigates the world of transhumanism - a movement dedicated to transcending human biological limits through technology. O'Connell travels globally to meet key figures in this subculture, from scientists and philosophers to entrepreneurs and self-experimenters. The book examines various transhumanist pursuits including radical life extension, artificial intelligence development, and biohacking. Through interviews and first-hand observations, O'Connell documents the beliefs, activities and personalities of those working to merge human biology with machines or upload consciousness to computers. In his exploration of transhumanist communities, O'Connell encounters people who surgically implant technology in their bodies, researchers working on artificial superintelligence, and activists campaigning for human immortality. He brings readers inside laboratories, conferences, and meetups where these future-focused innovators gather. The narrative raises fundamental questions about what it means to be human and whether technological "improvement" of our species would enhance or diminish the essence of human experience. Through his journalistic lens, O'Connell presents both the allure and potential dangers of transhumanist ambitions.

Readers describe this as a balanced exploration of transhumanism that avoids taking sides while examining the movement's key figures and ideas. Many appreciate O'Connell's blend of humor and skepticism in his reporting. Liked: - Clear explanations of complex concepts - Personal encounters with notable transhumanists - Engaging writing style that mixes journalism with memoir - Thoughtful questions about mortality and human nature Disliked: - Some sections feel repetitive - Limited coverage of opposing viewpoints - Occasional meandering narrative structure - Focus on U.S./Silicon Valley perspectives "The author's Irish wit makes heavy topics digestible," notes one Amazon reviewer. Others mention the book can feel scattered, jumping between different events and interviews without a strong throughline. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (280+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.8/5 (150+ ratings) The book won the 2018 Wellcome Book Prize for nonfiction.

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🔬 The book won the 2018 Wellcome Book Prize, a prestigious award celebrating works that illuminate the intersection of medicine, life, and art. 🤖 The term "transhumanism" was first coined by biologist Julian Huxley in 1957, brother of the famous Brave New World author Aldous Huxley. 💪 One of the "grinders" featured in the book implanted a microchip in his hand during a live demonstration at a conference, showcasing the DIY nature of biohacking. 🧠 Zoltan Istvan, one of the presidential candidates interviewed in the book, campaigned in a coffin-shaped "Immortality Bus" to promote transhumanist ideas. 🌟 Author Mark O'Connell was inspired to write the book after the birth of his first child, which made him contemplate mortality and the human desire to overcome death.