From: Nicq MacDonald (namacdonald@stthomas.edu)
Date: Tue Nov 14 2000 - 16:10:17 MST
> Okay, I'm sorry, but Gematria is not Extropic, it is drooling,
empty-headed
> rationalization. Gematria is on the same level of sheer blank-minded
> stupidity as astrology. If you start trying to be tolerant of it, it
> indicates that you have become too open-minded and your brains are now
> starting to fall out.
If I met someone who based important life decisions on it, I would give them
the swift kick in an unnamed place that they deserve. But I do find that it
can be a fun and interesting diversion during those times in which I just
want to throw reason to the dogs (gods?) and dine with the wizards.
> There is a place for mysticism in embryo Extropians. I myself dabbled in
> mysticism up until the age of fourteen or fifteen or so. However, I
expect
> mysticism in Those For Whom There Is Still Hope to take the form of
> fascination with psychic powers, the teleology of the Universe, exotic
> physical theories, mystical interpretations of qualia, reconciliation of
> ultratech futures in terms of religious prophecies, and so on. Taking
> astrology or Gematria seriously indicates that you are a flat-out idiot.
Agreed.
> Respecting people who take astrology seriously does not impress others
with
> your tolerance. It simply indicates that you do not understand what
tolerance
> is *for*, and that you are trying to impress others by adherence to the
letter
> of an ethic whose spirit you do not understand.
I'd disagree with that- to what end does the individual in question take
astrology seriously? For what purpose? What practice? What do they do
with it? I would never trust a doctor who made treatment assumptions based
upon my sun sign, but an artist who uses it for inspiration is another
matter entirely.
> Furthermore, please note that the Committee on Un-Extropian Activities
will be
> investigating all participants in this thread for possible connections to
the
> Green Party.
As a Liberal Democrat who is going to see Ralph Nader speak this evening, I
fall awfully close to the line ;)
(I tried, for six months, to embrace Libertarianism. I just couldn't do it-
I'm far too compassionate (and I have too little faith in human nature) for
it)
-Nicq
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