Re: Can we develop a better definition of extropy?

From: Romana Machado (romana@glamazon.com)
Date: Wed Dec 18 1996 - 15:58:22 MST


I wrote:
>>Extropy *is* the quality of creative order characteristic of living systems.
>
>(emphasis added)
>

Tom Morrow responds:
>As E-prime advocates note, using "is" implies equivalence. To so define a
>term delimits its scope, and thus does a great deal more than a mere
>description. (E prime stiff deleted)

Okay, I could have just as well as said:

Extropy *means* the quality of creative order characteristic of living systems.

Or:

extropy (n.) the quality of creative order characteristic of living systems.

Which doesn't seem any worse than Max's Extropy #17 definition:

>The current definition is " "Extropy -- the extent of a person's or a
>culture's intelligence, information, vitality, diversity, opportunity, and
>[personal] growth."

Oops. Perhaps I should have put two dashes in, instead?

Tom Morrow writes:
>In brief, one ought to take definitions--and re-definitions--very, very
>seriously.

Excellent. To develop better definitions, we can generate, discuss, and
even try them out here. The seriousness of this endeavor makes it a
fascinating topic for discussion.

Romana Machado romana@glamazon.com
erotic site: http://www.glamazon.com/ "Romana Machado's Peek of the Week"
personal site: http://www.fqa.com/romana/ "Romana Machado World Headquarters"



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