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C00002 00002	THE ENHANCEMENT OF THE INDIVIDUAL
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THE ENHANCEMENT OF THE INDIVIDUAL


	In this section, I would like to explore the possiblities  of
increasing  the  capabilities of individuals.  We shall consider both
the provision of new tools and improvements in physiology.

	Why is it not possible for one person to do the following?:

	1.  Build a ten story building, a sophisticated jet airplane,
a car, or a large computer all by himself.

	2.  Convince the government to adopt a good new policy simply
by having good arguments  for  the  new  policy  without  having  any
political position or even political ability.

	3. Climb Mount Everest or walk across the Arctic alone.

	4. Swim the Atlantic.

	5. Live 500 years.

	6. Run 25 miles to work in the morni;g in an hour and back in
the afternoon without being especially tired.

	7. Have the information in the Library of Congress as readily
available at any time as if one remembered it.

	8.  Get  agreement  on  the  solution  to  social problems as
readily as agreement on engineering problems.

	It seems to me that any of these things would be  worthwhile,
and maybe all of them are possible. That they are worthwhile seems to
me  evident,  but  experience  shows  that  many  people   can   find
disadvantages  in anything.  Therefore, I shall go through the entire
list, saying somewhat pedantically why each one seems worthwhile, and
also how it may be possible.

	1. Build a large building or airplane or computer alone.