Human enhancement needs new solutions
Whether you are interested in augmenting yourself to live longer than you are biologically programmed to live; whether you want to connect with the internet in your thoughts or augment your body to seamlessly live in the harsh conditions of Mars — all these require complex and thorough innovations in biosciences and bioethics. Xapiens is a student organization with members from MIT, other US universities and students overseas. We are creating a community of vibrant researchers and communicators of human augmentation technology, supporting their scientific work and sharing insights in human augmentation with a wider audience.
Xapiens (sapiens for wise being and “X” for the unknown) is seeking to tackle the technical and existential issues surrounding the use of technology to overcome the limitations of the human condition. A wider Xapiens community spans thousands of students and others from the Cambridge and Bay area who came in person and virtually to some of the symposia and talks we hosted.
Logo concept visual explanation. Designed by Siranush Babakhanova.
First post on Social Media used this illustration. Designed by Siranush Babakhanova.
Some of the examples of things we do:
2019 Future of Homo Sapiens symposium at MIT packing the largest lecture hall with ~800 students and tens of thousands of views on Youtube. Moderated by Joe Paradiso, speakers: Pattie Maes, Ed Boyden, George Church, David Sinclair, Max Tegmark (many of which became our advisors among others). https://xapiens.mit.edu/#/the-future-of-homo-sapiens/ (and other talks on our website)
2020 Xapiens contributed with an essay in NEO.LIFE’s (edited by co-founder of Wired, MIT Tech Review ex-exec editor) first book “25 Visions for the Future of Our Species”
Xapiens hosts a Podcast where we discuss with our advisors and other interesting guests their paths in science.
Currently, members of Xapiens are working together on an independent research with one of our advisors. Manuscript in prep for peer review publication.
Xapiens founding team at the “Future of Homo Sapiens“ symposium with the panelists. From left to right: Mathias Backaether, Siranush Babakhanova, Joe Paradiso, Pattie Maes, George Church, Logan H Ford, Max Tegmark, Loyd H Waites, Ed Boyden, David Sinclair, MJ Antonini. Photo taken by Lillie Paquette from MIT School of Engineering on March 7th 2018.