**"This gonzo-journalistic exploration of the Silicon Valley
techno-utopians' pursuit of escaping mortality is a breezy romp full of
colorful characters." --New York Times Book Review
**
Transhumanism is a movement pushing the limits of our biology--of our
senses, intelligence, and lifespans--with technology. Its supporters
have reached a critical mass and now include some of the biggest names
in Silicon Valley and beyond, among them Peter Thiel, Elon Musk, and Ray
Kurzweil.
In this provocative and eye-opening account, journalist Mark O'Connell
explores the staggering (and terrifying) possibilities that present
themselves when you think of your body as an outmoded device. He visits
the world's foremost cryonics facility to witness how some have chosen
to forestall death, discovers an underground collective of biohackers
boosting their senses by implanting electronics under their skin, and
meets with members of a team urgently investigating how to protect
mankind from rogue artificial superintelligence.
In investigating what it means to be a machine, O'Connell shines a light
on our ancient desire to transcend the animal condition--and offers a
surprising meditation on what it means to be human.