The IEET has appointed two new Affiliate Scholars, the philosopher John Messerly and the activist Amon Twyman.

John G. Messerly received his PhD in philosophy from St. Louis University in 1992. He was a member of the faculty of both the philosophy and computer science departments for many years at the University of Texas at Austin, where he taught courses on the ethical and philosophical implications of emerging technologies. He is the author of books on ethical theory, evolutionary philosophy, and the meaning of life, as well as dozens of articles, mostly on transhumanist themes. He is also an Affiliate Member of the Evolution, Complexity, and Cognition Group (localized at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel), and an adjunct professor of philosophy at Seattle University. He is currently interested in how technological and cosmic evolution shed light on existential questions about the meaning in life. His most recent book is The Meaning of Life: Religious, Philosophical, Scientific, and Transhumanist Perspectives. He blogs daily on issues of philosophy, evolution, futurism and the meaning of life at his website: reasonandmeaning.com.

Amon Twyman (BSc, MSc Hons, DPhil) is an Affiliate Scholar of the IEET and a philosopher interested in the impact of technology on society and the human condition. His professional training was in cognitive science, with psychological research into insight and decision making conducted at University College London. Amon also has a background in electronic music and digital arts, as the founder of Xykogen among other groups. Amon was a co-founder of the UK Transhumanist Association (now known as Humanity+ UK), and went on to establish Zero State and the WAVE research institute. These organisations are dedicated to research and advocacy regarding positive social change through technology.