Re: MEDIA: NOVA on Gamma Ray Bursters

From: J. R. Molloy (jr@shasta.com)
Date: Thu Jan 10 2002 - 06:16:06 MST


From: "John Clark" <jonkc@worldnet.att.net>
> If there was a civilization a billion or
> even a million years in advanced of our own then the universe should
> look engineered.

Why? Just because it may seem sensible to us to engineer the universe, that
doesn't mean that a civilization a million years more advanced than us would
see it that way. Consider, if you will, that engineering the universe could
seem quite childish to a more advanced (and more mature) species. As you point
out, our civilization is relatively young. So, look what older civilizations
on Earth have produced: Buddha, Lao Tzu, Patanjali, Mahavira, et al. Perhaps
when our civilization matures a bit more, we'll become more interested in our
hyper-cognitive, rather than our engineering skills.

--- --- --- --- ---

Useless hypotheses, etc.:
 consciousness, phlogiston, philosophy, vitalism, mind, free will, qualia,
analog computing, cultural relativism, GAC, Cyc, Eliza, cryonics, individual
uniqueness, ego, human values, scientific relinquishment, malevolent AI,
non-sensory experience, SETI

We move into a better future in proportion as science displaces superstition.



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