From: E. Shaun Russell (e_shaun@extropy.org)
Date: Sat Sep 01 2001 - 19:29:17 MDT
The esteemed Russell Blackford wrote:
>So my question remains. Why does the extrolist show the same mentality as
>one sub-set of sf fandom, whereas the sf-related lists I've been on have
>shown a totally different mentality?
One thing that is important to point out, in my opinion, is that with a few
exceptions such as Russell, Damien, Max, Natasha etc., the extropians list
does not attract a lot of people who are actively pushing extropic
technologies etc. forward...because they are actively pushing extropic
technologies etc. forward, rather than spending time on reading and writing
to a mailing list. The extropians list is essentially a forum for people
who are interested in the progresses made by the Kurzweils, Minskys,
Merkles, Drexlers, Moravaecs et al of the world, and while I do agree that
there is an aspect of "fandom" to the list, that is partially the purpose
of the list in the first place: to discuss ideas pertaining to
transhumanism. Since the progenitors of those ideas are largely off-list,
the movers and shakers are generally somewhat deified, or at least looked
upon in a different light.
Interestingly enough, this mentality isn't reflected at the Extro
Conferences, where both list members and ExI members readily have
conversations (and often dinner) with the likes of Drexler, Greg Bear,
Ralph Merkle, David Brin and the like.
So the answer to your question, Russell, is this: because the doers do, and
those who are interested in what the doers are doing talk about what is
being done. Both kinds are necessary, and the extropians list generally
attracts the latter.
Best,
E. Shaun Russell
(Pre-exodus mode...)
________________________________________________________
E. Shaun Russell Operations Officer, Extropy Institute
e_shaun@extropy.org http://www.extropy.org
Director, Kryos Biomedical
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Hear my music at: http://www.mp3.com/eshaunrussell
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