H+

A Creative Commons version of the "h+" symbol from Wikipedia, posted there in 2014 by user Jqb

A proposed alternate stylisation by Ivan Raszl

H+ (H plus) is an attempted synonym and symbol for transhumanism, but has been characterized by controversy and ambiguity as to whether it pertains to transhumanism as a whole or only a specific transhumanist organization. It was adopted by Humanity+ in 2008 following their rebrand from the World Transhumanist Association.

It has been adopted by some transhumanist organisations including:

• Humanity+ and subsequently chapters such as AFT Technoprog
• Transhumanism (organisation)

History

The symbol H+ has been used as an abbreviation for transhumanism since at least January 2005.

Related symbols

• As 'I+', a stylised H+ was a logo proposed by Ivan Raszl in October 2015.
• >H - another synonym for transhumanism
• ~>H A person its way to become >H
• >>H - Posthuman
• {>H} - Closeted transhumanist
• !H - non human, e.g. animal or pure AI
• H* - adopted by UK Transhumanist Party
• ∞ - adopted by some transhumanist groups like Nevada Transhumanist Party that has connotations relating to life extension and immortality.
• P+ - adopted by Transpolitica for Politics 2.0
• @H+ - 'A-H-Plus' - adopted by Anarcho-Transhumanism
• C+ - the symbol of the Christian Transhumanist Association
• I+ for Individualism+ - coined by Christopher Benek to refer to critique Zoltan Istvan's individualistic approach towards self preservation and individualistic enhancement.

U.S. Transhumanist Party and THPedia Rejection of the "H+" and "h+" Symbols

The U.S. Transhumanist Party utilized a small-h "h+" symbol during the 2014-2016 Presidential campaign of Zoltan Istvan but, subsequent to November 2016, discontinued using any "h+" symbol per the decision of Chairman Gennady Stolyarov II. In August 2019, Stolyarov authored a statement entitled "Transhumanists Need New Symbols", where he provided the following reasons:

1. The “H+ / h+” symbols are ambiguous and can refer to many other matters besides transhumanism.

2. The “H+ / h+” symbols were attempted substitutes for transhumanism; we need to openly embrace transhumanism instead.

3. The use of the “H+ / h+” symbols is largely limited to the United States, whereas transhumanism is a global and cosmopolitan movement.

4. Transhumanism is much more than a single organization.

5. Transhumanists may become unable to use the “H+ / h+” symbols anyway.

6. Transhumanists needs to embrace techno-optimism and pursue a more hopeful, heroic vision of the future.

Concurrent with Stolyarov's statement, the U.S. Transhumanist Party curated its project of Free Transhumanist Symbols, which were developed by transhumanist artists and graphic designers to represent transhumanism in general. The current THPedia logo, which specifically distances THPedia from any uses of the "H+" or "h+" symbol, was adopted in July 2024 and derives from one of those free symbols. It was designed by Rachel Edler.

See also

• Transhumanist synonyms and closely related terms
• H+: The Digital Series - a web series featuring ubiquitous microchipping technology