Super Humans, Charity Law Changes and Over 65's

Good Morning and Welcome to this week’s Gospel and Culture update, by Alan Vink
Super Humans, Charity Law Changes and Over 65’s
Tuesday 7th June 2022

Super Humans

A couple of weeks ago The Listener published what I think was on the one hand a eye opening article and on the other a huge concern. It was titled, ‘The Transhuman Condition’. Essentially it is about Artificial Intelligence or AI as it is known. The social movement is called ‘transhumanism’. Another way of thinking about transhumanism is ‘humans merging with technology’. The article talks about AI being able to:

• Solve big problems (including climate change) faster and more accurately than human beings.
• Augment human brain functions and so make us super smart…….like really really brainy.
• Gene editing
• Humanoid robots – Beware…you may be served by one at your favourite restaurant some day soon.

Here’s a working definition. “Transhumanism is a philosophical and intellectual movement which advocates for the enhancement of the human condition by developing and making widely available sophisticated technologies that can greatly enhance longevity and cognition. It also predicts the inevitability of such technologies in the future.

Transhumanist thinkers study the potential benefits and dangers of emerging technologies that could overcome fundamental human limitations as well as the ethics of using such technologies. Some transhumanists believe that human beings may eventually be able to transform themselves into beings with abilities so greatly expanded from the current condition as to merit the label of posthuman beings”.

Source: Wikipedia.

POV. This is in my mind is a hugely vexing issue. Who isn’t grateful for the new technologies we are all enjoying today in our homes, pockets, cars and places of work? Who isn’t grateful for these new technologies at hospital when you are sick or injured? However, when these technologies and technology companies act irresponsibility (think Facebook or Meta) and demonstrably cause harm then we have a problem, right? And what about when AI ‘produces’ a super human or can eradicate inferior intelligence and by definition ‘inferior human beings’? Unintended consequences MUST always be considered at times like this. And this is where we need public theologians and biblical scholars to contribute to the ethical frameworks that all societies will need to develop. Bring back the ‘Public Issues Committee’s’ I say.

Charity Law to Change

Here is a media release last week announcing an upcoming change to the Charity law.

POV. I do think it is time. Quite a few charities are going well outside their mandate and purpose as charities. A few are getting very political and that needs to be reigned in. Then there is the challenging issue of money. I need a bit more time to understand all that but clearly it worries the Charities Commission.

Over 65’s – Fact Sheet

Mandatory retirement was outlawed in 1992
Average age of retirement in NZ. Men 69.8 and women 66.4.
Superannuation in NZ starts at 65 and is NOT means tested.
Super costs NZ $39m A Day.
There are 800,000 people aged 65-plus (out of 5.2m total population or 6.5%) and 200,000 still working in paid employment, mostly part-time.
Source: Statistics NZ

Retirement Commissioner, Jane Wrightson says one in three retirees won’t have adequate income unless they work past 65.

POV. Churches up and down NZ have a good number of these folks. There is a deep reservoir of experience, talent and time right here. I worry about the pursuit of ‘youthifying’ the church that we forget this age group. Most of these folks are pure gold. Only a few are struggling with modern ways of doing church. Most older people in my experience know jolly well that they need to encourage and make way for younger people. Recruit the oldies Pastor.