You've given me much to ponder. My time is limited until late this evening but I will reply then if at all possible.
I'm enjoying the discussion.
(me)
"This issue changes the dynamics of life. Something man didn't give regardless of our belief system. That just seems rather important to me.
(you)
It certainly does but so have all other technological advances of the past. Knowlege of hygiene, antibiotics, vaccines, telephones, electricity have all had transformative effects on human existence. They just weren't AS transformative as what Kurzweil suggests nor were they happening at the pace advances are today thus weren't as frightening to some.
(end)
I can't argue that the dynamics have been altered by these things you speak of and more. But there have been defined boundaries in each of those incidents. And none sought to replace a life form. Even the things we've built like antibiotics are things that weren't required for the body when first put in usage. The mechanics of the body did just fine. But as we know imperfection set in along the way and we've continually compromised our bodies as we've moved along technologically.
To transform something to the end this implies is at risk of loosing the natural inner stuff, the things machines aren't made of. That is taking this beyond the boundaries I believe should be done.
And I don't mean to go backwards. I do appreciate and value these type advancements up to.....yeah, you know the rest. (~;