Even before the birth of Mimir, humanity was already making great strides in the realm of biotechnology and genetic manipulation. But Mimir’s contributions to these fields resulted in an explosion of potential when it introduced the procedures for apotheosis and synthesis.

During apotheosis, a colony of nanomachines are introduced into the brain via a series of injections. The whole process takes about a week, during which time the nanomachines systematically destroy and replace the majority of the brain cells in the recipient’s cerebrum. The replacement of a single brain cell has no effect on a person. But during apotheosis, one by one, billions of brain cells are replaced by nanomachines that carry out the function of the replaced cell.

The result is a mesh of networked nanomachines called a “mindset”. It’s impossible to pinpoint the exact moment this happens. But slowly, and almost imperceptibly to the subject, the mind is transformed into software.

The mindset interfaces directly with the mind and can overlay information directly over the user’s five senses. It also features a low level AI called an “Agent”, which manages the user’s calendar, incoming and outgoing messages, social networks, and whatever else the user requires.

And perhaps most importantly, the mindset monitors the user’s memories and stores a copy in a special nanocluster called a “mnemonic core”. The core can be extracted from the body and used to download the mind contained within into another body. This can be done in the event of death, or if the person simply wishes to have a new body.

The synthesis process does for the body what Apotheosis does for the mind. Trillions of nanomachines are introduced into the body, weaving through the living tissue to form a mesh of biological and synthetic cells. This hybrid of organic and synthetic life is far more durable than a normal human body, and can be monitored and controlled far more precisely.

It is estimated that roughly 35% of all humanity has undergone apotheosis. And roughly 11% have undergone synthesis. But even those who haven’t have likely been augmented in some way. Gene treatments take pace in the womb, and elective cybernetic and biological augmentation is all the rage these days.

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As Humans and Computers Merge... Immortality? (9:53) [Talks a bit about the Singularity too. The best stuff starts at around 3:00]

Max More - Transhuman and the Singularity (20:44)