From: Samantha Atkins (samantha@objectent.com)
Date: Thu Oct 17 2002 - 22:41:35 MDT
J Corbally wrote:
>> Those of us who are quick to deride religion must keep in mind that
>> some people view the Extropian principles as the structure of a
>> "techno-futurist" religion. That was the impression of a friend of
>> mine who I had asked to read them. I'm sure there are threads in the
>> archive regarding Extropianism's status (or lack thereof) of being a
>> religion.
>> - -crw.
>
>
> I'd say most people would see it in a religious context unfortunately.
> It would seem to be as a result of most peoples' frame of reference.
> Something we need to be aware of.
>
>
I think it is more complex than that. Many of us
scientific/engineering types tend to see the world roughly in
terms of "it" level categories, that which can be studied
objectively "out there" by science and systems theory and so on.
It is easy for us to neglect the "I/we" categories that
include subjective, inter-subjective, spiritual, and so on
aspects or try to deconstruct it in terms only of "it" concepts
and categories we are comfortable with. But any authentic
self-sustaining movement must include all parts of reality, not
just or predominantly those we are most comfortable with. Any
movement that captures enough people to make real change must
engage people on all levels that are vividly important to them.
In that light I believe extropianism must include "I/we" aspects
including spiritual aspects if it is to succeed at all. Also,
as I have stated often, some of the most fundamental problems we
face are problems of values, ethics, and understanding/support
of one another. It is in our misunderstanding and fast judgment
of one another, or assumptions that we can win while the rest of
the world goes to hell, that we will most likely err in the use
of our technologies for destructive ends.
- samantha
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