Will "race" matter in the future

[Minstrel]

Will race matter in the future? Genetic engineering (after it is fine tuned) would make some of the monopolies traditional "races" have held in terms of physical characteristics obsolete. For instance, I'm African-american, however probably in the foreseeable futre, I'd be able to switch around a few genes in my kids DNA to give them blond, straight hair or blue eyes and light skin with no problems, easily. I keep hearing WN's "the white race is dying out", not really. In fact I could make my kids look "white" if I chose 20-50 or so years from now and you would'nt tell the difference.

the fact of the matter is, the difference between the various human groups, is measured in a couple of gene sequences here and there. It interesting to study phenotypes, ethinicities and things like that, but put them in perspective.

[nockwasright]

I think race will matter as long as groups perceived as belonging to different races will live in different countries (i.e. Chinese in China and Germans in Germany).
Within the multi racial countries even without genetic engineering, very very slowly race would cease to matter, IMO.
If we consider multi racial countries as USA or Brazil, it is true that race matters a lot, but still it matters a lot less than it used to. And its going to matter less and less, until finally it becomes irrelevant. Genetic engineering could be a catalyst.
But until there are ethnic nation states race will always matter.

[humantag]

Minstrel said:

Will race matter in the future? Genetic engineering (after it is fine tuned) would make some of the monopolies traditional "races" have held in terms of physical characteristics obsolete. For instance, I'm African-american, however probably in the foreseeable futre, I'd be able to switch around a few genes in my kids DNA to give them blond, straight hair or blue eyes and light skin with no problems, easily. I keep hearing WN's "the white race is dying out", not really. In fact I could make my kids look "white" if I chose 20-50 or so years from now and you would'nt tell the difference.

the fact of the matter is, the difference between the various human groups, is measured in a couple of gene sequences here and there. It interesting to study phenotypes, ethinicities and things like that, but put them in perspective.

Very interesting speculation - I think you may be onto something here. In the not too distant future we might pick and choose our 'racial' charateristics as we today clothing - fashion statements. Jared Diamond would love this ( he says something similar in his book "The Third Chimpanzee"). In such a context, what sorts of novel new 'racial' characteristics might come about?

In any event, I think over the next few centuries, technology will transform what it has heretofore meant to be human - many of our current notions of 'race' will simply not apply.

[vela]

I doubt it! Even if we could do what Minstrel writes, like altering the gene sequences responsible for hair color, skin color, etc., somebody would then take race to a higher resolution, for example from the molecular to the atomic or even subatomic scales!

There's an inherent need in humans to make social distinctions and we are still very, very distinct.

[MC anunnaki]

Vela said:

I doubt it! Even if we could do what Minstrel writes, like altering the gene sequences responsible for hair color, skin color, etc., somebody would then take race to a higher resolution, for example from the molecular to the atomic or even subatomic scales!

There's an inherent need in humans to make social distinctions and we are still very, very distinct.

I think it's more possible that the old separators such as religion enters the playing field again. Religion has always been and still is a great separator. In the future, when appearance can be changed at will, we will divide ourselves in "us" and "them" by politics, religion and perhaps nationality.

"We black/white/yellow/blue-eyed/red-haired/brunettes of Western Eurasia declare war upon thee, black/white/yellow/blue-eyed/red-haired/brunettes of Australia because you suck and we don't! Have at you!"

[vela]

anunnaki said:

I think it's more possible that the old separators such as religion enters the playing field again. Religion has always been and still is a great separator. In the future, when appearance can be changed at will, we will divide ourselves in "us" and "them" by politics, religion and perhaps nationality.

Religion enters the playing field again?
I don't think it has ever left the playing field! Religiosity tends to seasonally swing or oscillate with the changing times but in general terms humanity is spiritually very retrograde.
Something similar happens with nationalism. When the pie has to be split in many slices and we have to give up a little of what we consider our property then nationalism becomes like a contagious disease. Politicians know this just to well and they have mastered the art of mass manipulation.

There is no political solution
To our troubled evolution
Have no faith in constitution
There is no bloody revolution

We are spirits in the material world
Are spirits in the material world
Are spirits in the material world
Are spirits in the material world

Our so-called leaders speak
With words they try to jail you
The subjugate the meek
But it’s the rhetoric of failure

We are spirits in the material world
Are spirits in the material world
Are spirits in the material world
Are spirits in the material world

Where does the answer lie?
Living from day to day
If it’s something we can’t buy
There must be another way

We are spirits in the material world
Are spirits in the material world
Are spirits in the material world
Are spirits in the material world

Spirits in the material world by Sting

[MC anunnaki]

Vela said:

Religion enters the playing field again?
I don't think it has ever left the playing field!

It has in Sweden! ;D

The people of the future will be divided into Dodonoids and descendants of Dodonoids and the rest.

[Ponto Hardbottle]

I think people's race today does not really matter. There are more important issues for individuals than the race of others. I have experienced your type of "race" which is what I would call silly and stupid ideas attached to people of different race, in three countries and continents. In the USA race seems to be paramount, like something everyone dances around but tries to ignore. In Europe particularly the UK, race just means by and large different foods, religions, smells, tastes and so on. In Australia, race is about as boring as listening to George W. It is not very important. There is an assumption in Australia that future Australians will be just as Australian as today whatever the actual race, religion or surnames they might have, probably like a multiracial English speaking darker skinned Steve Irwin who is muslim and plays rugby.

[NuSapiens]

Race might matter, but not in the form we know it. Just consider that 400 years ago, most all of our ancestors would have had no clue what race they were. They would mostly name whatever province they were from, or more often village. Even "Nation" emerged in the 19th century as a form of identity in much of Europe. "Race" was articulated mainly in the Americas.

Race in the future would probably take a form we would consider bizarre. Or it might have more to do with class or region. For instance, an "American" race descended from all the peoples currently living in the Americas, distinguished from a "European" race and "Asian" race. Or according to geopolitical divisions that don't yet exist.

[kir]

How about a new race from the "Non Integrating Sectors", will they be distinguished as such. ;D

[Minstrel]

Vela said:

I doubt it! Even if we could do what Minstrel writes, like altering the gene sequences responsible for hair color, skin color, etc., somebody would then take race to a higher resolution, for example from the molecular to the atomic or even subatomic scales!

There's an inherent need in humans to make social distinctions and we are still very, very distinct.

Lol seriously, do you really think there is a "racial" distinction at the sub-atomic/molecular level? LOL my atoms are "black".

bottom line, when genetic engineering becomes mastered "race" will become obsolete. There is already evidence to suggest it does'nt really matter even today, from genetics at the human genome project, in the future it will become even more useless.

[guntank]

I would say nationalism or religious affiliations probably matter more.

[MC anunnaki]

We're humans, we're the dumbest species on this planet. You can bet your money on that we'll find some new ways to separate ourselves. Class, nationality, religion, ice-cream flavour. If we haven't yet tried it, we will soon.

[Dienekes]

The promise of genetic engineering is highly overrated. Eradication of diseases with simple genetic etiology is likely; picking a child's phenotypic traits out of a catalog is not.

[MC anunnaki]

If anything, it can't be distributed to the vast majority of the planet's population. If it'll ever be possible it will be limited to the super rich.