Yes, this is correct. Zoltan Istvan has stated that he is running for presidential election in 2016. On Facebook, he has announced that a Transhumanist Party is being established with him being the party founder and potential 2016 Presidential candidate. “This is not something I wanted to announce this way,” he said. “However recently there have been many explorations and inquiries of this topic online, making this announcement necessary.” Zoltan states that, “It’s also something I have been working on for a while now and pondering how best to handle. So I think it’s right for me to just announce what I plan to try to do.”
However, his announcement has been met with lukewarm responses. Many of his fans and followers are cheering for him to make a change, while others feel this may not be the best idea for this moment. Some feel that he may give up before the race has started. In my own opinion, I feel that it is too soon to create a transhumanist political party. There are still too few individuals who know what transhumanism is and not enough supporting voters for a solid constituency.
“If you are serious,” says Peter Rothman. “This is going to be the hardest thing you’ve ever done. I wonder if you’ve considered all of the implications of this.” I agree with him. The presidency is no cakewalk. But, if he is able to pull this off then this will help the cause he has been part of for some time.
He has not been the only transhumanist who has felt the political calling. Gabriel Rothblatt, son of Martine Rothblatt, has been running in the Florida Congressional race for some time. Being sponsored by the Democratic Party, his platform has been based on improving STEM education in public schools and adding more funding to the space program. With these two vying for political seats, it is apparent that they are dedicated to bringing positive change to the United States.
With the media exposure Zoltan has obtained over the past two years, it may be possible that he is slowly becoming a known name. With this exposure and notoriety, it is quite possible that he may win the presidential election. The question remains; does he have what it takes to win the Presidency?
Check Zoltan out of fb at: https://www.facebook.com/TheTranshumanistWager
or his site: http://www.transhumanistwager.com/
or this: www.transhumanistparty.org
or his other posts on this site: http://transhumanity.net/author/ZoltanIstvan/
October 8, 2014 at 6:49 pm
I think it is wonderful that Zoltan Istvan is running for President! And it is great that there is a Transhumanist Party forming. It is a great way to publicize to the USA citizenry what transhumanism is all about, and an excellent way to advance H+ values. I am voting for him and I will encourage others to do so.
October 8, 2014 at 7:57 pm
“does he *have* what it takes” the last sentence should read. proofreading, people!
also, the idea that zoltan has any chance of winning the presidency in 2016 is completely laughable. it is not “quite possible” at all except only in the eyes of the most insularly sheltered transhumanist fan club member.
October 8, 2014 at 7:57 pm
Hmm… there is a lot of controversy Zoltan will bring with him. While I’d like to see a Transhumanist win I think the current political machine will tear him up alive. The public I don’t think could be made to see him as a viable candidate with a lot of the ideas like licensing reproduction floating around and people will take ideas from his book and ascribe them to him and hurt is chances. My hope is that he can manage to raise awareness in a good way for Transhumanist ideas.
October 8, 2014 at 8:10 pm
start printing up those “don’t blame me, i voted for zoltan!” bumper stickers now!
October 8, 2014 at 9:57 pm
there you go… we should get those printed up right away… =)
October 8, 2014 at 11:39 pm
“I think the current political machine will tear him up alive.”
Couldn’t have said it better. Third party candidates have a track record of failure. They tend to split the votes and one of the other two gets the presidency. The only time it worked for the little guy was Teddy Roosevelt and his Bull Moose Party.