Tuesday, September 29th

Term of the Day:  "Transhumanism" (From Wikipedia)Transhumanism (abbreviated as H+ or h+) is an international cultural and intellectual movement with an eventual goal of fundamentally transforming the human condition by developing and making widely available technologies to greatly enhance humanintellectual, physical, and psychological capacities.[1] Transhumanist thinkers study the potential benefits and dangers of emerging technologies that could overcome fundamental human limitations, as well as the ethics of developing and using such technologies.[2]They speculate that human beings may eventually be able to transform themselves into beings with such greatly expanded abilities as to merit the label "posthuman".[1]

Starter
On page 37, Thoreau says, "We are born innocent and polluted by advice".  Using this idea as well as other points Henry has made thus far this play, how do you compare to Thoreau on his philosophy regarding self-reliance and individualism? To what extent do you look towards other people for guidance on how to live your life and who you want to be?

Agenda
1. Agree/Disagree: Conformity is bad

2. Small group activity:
A. First review the definition and the major elements of transcendentalism
B. Find quotes from the play that represents Thoreau's perspective on. Select one member to take notes on a google doc and share it with Ashley and all group members.

• Traditional forms of religion v. Transcendentalism  (self-reliance, individualism v. conformity,  spirituality/nature)
• Civil Disobedience
• Education v. Schooling
• The Government 

3.  Guest Speakers to explain our Voices from Animas exhibition