From: CurtAdams@aol.com
Date: Thu May 23 2002 - 12:20:42 MDT
In a message dated 5/23/02 2:27:19, charlie@antipope.org writes:
>An extropian tyranny,
I would call any tyranny pseudo-Extropian.
>enforced from without in accordance with the usual parameters of a tyrannical
>system, wouldn't be content with mere physical compliance. The flip side
>of uploading as a viable procedure is downloading, and could well be
>abused to give new meaning to the phrase "the Stalin in your soul".
>
>If you feel any kind of aversion to this possibility, you want to think
>very hard about mixing coercion with extropian ideas. Before it's too late.
I agree with this assessment. A further point, even for those that don't,
is that coercive analogues to Extropian will, correctly, be perceived as
the gravest of threats by non-Extropians. This will greatly decrease the
chance for success of Extropian ideas. Look at how many people have
violently negative reactions to cloning, which doesn't genuinely threaten
the good aspects of humanity (apart from the technical issues). Imagine
how people will react to possibilities which *do* threaten the good
aspects of humanity?
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