Gennady Stolyarov II

Gennady Stolyarov II
Nationality American
Alma mater Hillsdale College
Notable work Death is Wrong
Spouse(s) Wendy Stolyarov
Website The Rational Argumentator

Gennady Stolyarov II is an American libertarian, civil servant, and transhumanist writer known for his book Death is Wrong.[1][2][3] Other works of his have been published by the Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies,[4] Le Québécois Libre,[5] the Ludwig von Mises Institute,[6] and his own online publication, The Rational Argumentator.[7] Stolyarov also leads two transhumanist political parties and works as an actuary and insurance regulator in Nevada.[8][9][10]

Early life

Stolyarov lived in Minsk, Belarus, at a young age.[11] After migrating to the United States and becoming an American citizen, he attended Hillsdale College with a triple major in economics, German, and mathematics.[12] One of his professors once wrote, "Gennady Stolyarov II was my best student at Hillsdale College".[13]

Career

Stolyarov is an actuary as well as a writer.[4][10] He has been highly influenced by the philosophy of Ayn Rand.[14] His writings include science fiction, philosophical essays, poetry, and study guides.[4][6] He has also published his own musical compositions and a series of podcasts called the G + W Audio Broadcasts with his wife, Wendy.[6]

In February 2014, Stolyarov started a crowdfunding campaign to raise money to give his children's book, Death is Wrong, to 1000 children.[1] In the book, he argues that death is an enemy[2] and encourages readers to help overcome it using technology.[1] Joelle Renstrom, writing for Future Tense, criticized the book by calling it "creepy" and saying, "Kids could grow up not just afraid of death, but also afraid of failing to fix it."[1] Meghan Neal of Motherboard also called the book "creepy" but noted, "Wacky as this still all sounds, he may have a point."[2] B. J. Murphy of the Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies called Death is Wrong a "wonderful children's book" and wrote, "This is the book I wish I'd have read as a young child."[15] Zoltan Istvan, in his transhumanist column for Psychology Today, agreed with Murphy, adding, "I thought the book was fun to read and important in what it tries to accomplish."[15] According to the book campaign's Indiegogo page, the goal of $5000 was exceeded by late April 2014.[16]

Stolyarov is also involved in transhumanist politics. He is the chairman of the United States Transhumanist Party, which advocates life extension with around 880 members as of May 2018.[8] He is also registered as the Chief Executive of the Nevada Transhumanist Party.[9]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Renstrom, Joelle (March 2014). "The Most Terrifying Kids' Book". Slate. Retrieved 25 August 2014. Death is Wrong, Says Creepy Kids' Book [webpage title] ... The book encourages kids to help eradicate death with technology. ... In late February, Stolyarov and the Movement for Indefinite Life Extension started an Indiegogo campaign to raise $5,000 to distribute 1,000 free copies to kids.
  2. 1 2 3 Neal, Meghan (March 1, 2014). "A Transhumanist Wants to Teach Kids That 'Death Is Wrong'". Motherboard. Vice. Retrieved 25 August 2014. But Stolyarov's strategy to groom the next generation to grow up thinking they might not have to die is unique—and more than a little bit creepy.
  3. ↑ "The Zero Hour with RJ Eskow - March 22, 2014". YouTube. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  4. 1 2 3 "Gennady Stolyarov II". Institute for Ethics & Emerging Technologies. Retrieved 25 August 2014. Gennady Stolyarov II is an actuary, science-fiction novelist, independent philosophical essayist, poet, amateur mathematician, and composer.
  5. ↑ "Articles by Gennady Stolyarov II in Le Québécois Libre". Le Québécois Libre. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  6. 1 2 3 "Gennady Stolyarov II - Mises Daily Archive". Ludwig von Mises Institute. Retrieved 25 August 2014. Gennady Stolyarov II is an actuary ... Mr. Stolyarov is the author of numerous free study guides ...
  7. ↑ "About Mr. Stolyarov". The Rational Argumentator. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  8. 1 2 Bromwich, Jonah (19 May 2018). "Death of a Biohacker". The New York Times. Retrieved 3 June 2018. Gennady Stolyarov II, the chairman of the United States Transhumanist Party, a political organization with close to 880 members that supports life extension through science and technology, had been corresponding with Mr. Traywick since November 2015.
  9. 1 2 Stolyarov II, Gennady (June 20, 2016). "Nevada Transhumanist Party: Notice of Continued Existence Pursuant to NRS 293.171". Nevada Secretary of State. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
  10. 1 2 "In Pursuit of SOA General Insurance FSA". Society of Actuaries. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
  11. ↑ Stolyarov, Gennady (November 25, 2013). Death is Wrong (PDF). Rational Argumentator Press. ISBN 978-0615932040. When I was four and living in the city of Minsk...
  12. ↑ Borden, Karl (November 9, 2008). "FEE Announces 2008 Eugene S. Thorpe Award Winner: Gennady Stolyarov II". The Foundation for Economic Education. Retrieved 25 August 2014. Mr. Stolyarov is a senior at Hillsdale College; a triple major in economics, mathematics, and German; and an immigrant to (and now citizen of) the United States from Belarus.
  13. ↑ Murphy, Robert P. (July 9, 2010). "The Effects of the Economic Crisis on Young People [Editor's Note]". Free Advice. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  14. ↑ Stolyarov II, Gennady (June 2012). "Objectivist Statement of Resolves". The Liberal Institute. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
  15. 1 2 Istvan, Zoltan. "A Children's Book Ponders Death". Psychology Today. Retrieved 26 August 2014. I agree with Mr. Murphy's review.
  16. ↑ "Help Teach 1000 Kids That Death is Wrong". Indiegogo. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
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