Beyond Identities: Human Becomings in Weirding Worlds

This book explores the idea of moving beyond culturally, historically, ethnically, and biologically-grounded identity as the foundation of an authentic self and highlights examples of people who are attempting to inhabit identities they feel are more appropriate to themselves. It argues that we are perpetually-dynamic human becomings and that intelligence should be enabled or recognized beyond the merely human. The book builds from tiny ripples into a tsunami of examples from conventional identity studies to various forms of intelligence in animals, plants, and fungi.

Format: Hardback
Length: 199 pages
Publication date: 01 September 2022
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

This book makes a compelling case for moving beyond culturally, historically, ethnically, and biologically-grounded identity as the sole basis for an authentic self. It underscores instances of individuals who are striving to inhabit identities that align more closely with their true selves, while also lamenting the harm caused by assertions about authentic identity. The central theme of this book is "becoming beyond identity." We are not static human beings but rather constantly evolving human beings. As intelligence extends beyond the human realm, we should embrace our ongoing transformation from Homo sapiens to various forms of intelligence across Earth and the universe. This book progresses from modest ripples to a tidal wave of examples from conventional identity studies, to Confucian human becomings, to apotemnophilia, to DIY biohacking, to cyborgs, to artilects, to hiveminds, to intelligence in animals, plants, and fungi from the Holocene through the early stages of the precarious, climate change-driven Anthropocene Epoch, with hints reaching far beyond and throughout the cosmos. Drawing from a lifetime of work in future studies, anticipation science, and space studies, the author skillfully blends candid accounts of his own experiences and beliefs about his fluid and uncertain identities with those of others who share their stories. In addition to material from academic and popular sources, a few poems further enhance the narrative.

Weight: 483g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031117312
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022