General goal: infinite existence under the best possible conditions.
Primary means: reason, science, and technology.
Motivation: enlightened self-interest.

a) A much stronger focus on the Singularity, though not as narrow and absolute as that of "pure" (Yudkowskian) Singularitarianism.
b) The explicit inclusion of specific technologies / procedures, most notably cryonics, and
c) "politically charged" memes. Transtopianism does neither pretend nor desire to be "politically neutral", let alone "politically correct", even though politics play just a relatively minor role in the Principles as a whole.
d) A more individualistic, pragmatic, and "realistic" approach to morality and ethics.
e) Auxiliary "lifestyle" elements, including, but not limited to: childfreeness, nootropic, entheogenic, and hedonistic drug use, dance music, (techno)gothic memes and paraphernalia, fiscal and financial freedom, food supplements, homeopathy, and other forms of "alternative" medicine, advanced self-defense techniques, and cyberpunk-style computer wizardry.

[Click on the large red links to view the complete & unabridged version of each Principle, or scroll down and (then) use the navigation links at the bottom of the page if you want to proceed sequentially]

I.Rationalism Reason (rational thinking) is good because it leads to practical, useful results. If applied systematically, it can significantly improve the quality of one's life. Irrationality is (potentially) dangerous and inefficient, and should therefore be avoided as much as possible.

II.Memetic Evolution Transtopianism is a continuously evolving philosophy, a logical consequence of the search for perfection which lies at its core. We need to avoid stale, impractical dogmas, while at the same time preserving those values that are clearly reasonable and helpful in improving our condition, or at least aren't detrimental to this goal.

III.Intelligent Hedonism Pleasure and happiness are the highest (known) good, the most logical "meaning of life", and (therefore) the interim Supergoal of Transtopianism. Positive emotions and sensations are inherently valuable; their profound, unconditional "goodness" becomes immediately apparent to all who experience them, and in their absence life is -by definition- at best bland and meaningless, at worst unbearable to the point of suicide. In order to be able to experience true eternal bliss as gods in virtual Eden (which, thanks to exponential scientific and technological progress, will soon be a very real possibility -- see also "Transhumanism" and "Singularitarianism") we must curb our more dangerous and impractical hedonistic impulses, and focus on becoming part of the financial and technological elite. At the same time we should also try to seize the day as often as possible, for there may be no tomorrow; this balancing act is the essence of Intelligent Hedonism.

IV.Cryonics Cryonic suspension is an experimental procedure whereby patients who no longer can be kept alive with today's medical abilities are preserved at extremely low temperature for treatment in the future. To have one's brain or whole body frozen or otherwise preserved upon death is the rational, civilized, and aesthetic thing to do.

V.Transhumanism Transhumanism (>H) is the belief that we can, and should, try to overcome our biological limitations by means of reason, science, and technology. Transhumanists seek things like intelligence augmentation, increased strength and beauty, extreme life extension, sustainable mood enhancement, and the capability to leave the planet and explore the universe. These goals are to be achieved with the aid of contemporary and future technologies such as genetic engineering, nanotechnology, cryonics, AI, and mind uploading. In other words, (hardcore) Transhumanists seek to become posthuman (demi-)gods; "persons of unprecedented physical, intellectual, and psychological capacity. Self-programming, self-constituting, potentially immortal, unlimited individuals."

VI.Singularitarianism The technological Singularity is the postulated point or short period in our future when our self-guided evolutionary development accelerates enormously (powered by nanotech, neuroscience, AI, and perhaps uploading) so that nothing beyond that time can reliably be conceived. It is the birth of superhuman intelligence and the end of life as we know it, perhaps of life period. Barring massive, global man-made or natural disasters, the Singularity will probably take place sometime during the first half of this century. Instead of passively awaiting, unconditionally supporting, or mindlessly opposing this event which, without a doubt, is both the greatest threat and the greatest opportunity mankind has ever faced, Transtopians want to harness the Singularity's awesome power through the directed, systematic, and careful application of "transhumanizing" technologies -- they want to become the Singularity. From a survivalist point of view, this is the most rational strategy.

VII.Atheism Religion, in the traditional superstitious and dogmatic sense, is at best harmless folly, but more often than not it is a force that is diametrically opposed to one's freedom, well-being, and even very surival. Religion enslaves and atrophies the mind, stimulates violently (self-)destructive behavior, and hampers (life-saving) progress. It is fundamentally incompatible with true rationalism and the scientific method, and needs to be rejected utterly for both practical and "moral" reasons. It's time to stop worshipping gods, and aim at becoming gods.

VIII.Egoism Most "traditional" (Judeo-Christian etc.) morals and ethics should be rejected as they, instead of being useful tools for personal growth and empowerment, only make life more difficult than it already is. From a rational Egoist's perspective, that which serves his enlightened self-interest (infinite existence under the best possible conditions) is "good", that which is neutral towards it is "acceptable", and that which works against it is "bad". Potentially harmful or even lethal "altruistic" impulses, guilt, shame, and other such evolutionary garbage should be suppressed or, better yet, eliminated altogether.

IX.Tough Liberalism An eye for an eye (proportional retribution) and the Golden Rule (anything goes, as long as "innocents" aren't harmed against their will) are fair and logical principles, and should be the main pillars of (private, contract group) law.

X.Mental, Physical & Financial Empowerment To be prepared for a future that may be full of difficult changes, and survive in an entropic world, one should take personal responsibility for one's security. Self-defense encourages one's sense of autonomy and personal power, so it is wise to learn the proper use of devices and techniques that can protect you from harm. Reject fear, meekness, pacifism and all other self-castrating mental patterns. Experiment with things like food supplements, diets, and exercise techniques in order to become stronger and healthier. Get as rich as possible, for money is the key to health, happiness, and -ultimately- godhood itself.

XI.Non-Procreation Transtopians don't breed because, assuming that one wants to be a good parent, children are a serious drain in terms of time and resources, are likely to increase stress, ruin relationships, and will severely limit one's freedom. It is a very empowering decision not to have children, especially for women, who, due to tradition and biology, must sacrifice (much) more. It means that one doesn't bow to nature's and society's pressures to conform; by saying "no" to procreation, you reject being just another link in life's mindless chain of births and deaths, just another runner in an endless relay race. In the spirit of Egoism, you confirm that you are an end in itself, not just a walking incubator or sperm donor. Other elements of the procreational complex such as phenylethylamine-induced highs (love), ritualized bonding (marriage), and copulation (sex) also tend to -sometimes seriously- erode one's mental stability, rational faculties, and autonomy, and should consequently be avoided as well -- or at least approached with due caution and skepticism.

XII.Dynamic Pessimism Though Transtopians have no doubts about man's enormous potential to overcome his biological and social limits, they are generally less optimistic than "regular" Transhumanists and Singularitarians about the future. Annihilation is a very real possibility; in fact, it is much more likely than a positive outcome. Nonetheless, Transtopians are by no means technophobes or defeatists because they recognize that the very technologies that threaten our future can, when used properly, improve life far beyond our wildest dreams and save us from other (socio-political, economic, and natural) disasters that loom ever larger on the horizon. Indeed, without technology and progress we would remain at the mercy of an uncaring, entropic universe, and would soon fall prey to degeneration, misadventure, and disease. Death is programmed into our very genes. The status quo is literally a dead-end, and therefore not an acceptable option.