Apology (Was: Re: Mass-killings)

From: Arjen Kamphuis (mountain@knoware.nl)
Date: Mon Sep 15 1997 - 08:54:47 MDT


Having re-read what I posted yesterday I guess I owe Eliezer (and anybody
else who felt offended) some sort of apology. A few *very* nasty memories
got the best of me there. Maybe I have become a colder-son-of-a-bitch than
I realized. Sorry about this, I'll work on it.

 Eliezer S. Yudkowsky <sentience@pobox.com> wrote:

>I was speaking of seeing it in the morning newspapers, not seeing it in
>person. More on this a bit later, I'm developing a theory here...

Can't wait! ;-)

>Anyway, I'm not really sure what we're arguing about. Regardless of whether
>modern genocides are as bad as the Holocaust, we both think they're not
good.

Yes, in practice we're saying *basically* the same thing. We just arrived
at our opinions via different paths. Then when 'discussion' becomes
'argument' (why is that? hormones?) and all sorts of emotions kick-in
things become very clouded.
This may also aply to several other treads and that is why I was so happy
with Dan Fabulich's post "Ethics and Politics". He took those clouds away.

>I'll handle the ghettos if you handle Cambodia. Deal?

Deal. As long as we can exchange knowledge & experience on a weekly basis
(I guess I'll have to get me a portable InmarSat phone for mail-transfer)
If you happen to develop a nano-bot for defusing mines, let me know.
Actually Cambodia is not a bad idea, lots of work that needs to be done
over there. With all this lo(nger)livety taken into account I might be
running out of interesting mountains if I don't cut down. Maybe I'll spend
a year doing something else and save some for later ;-).

-----------------------
In response to Kennita
 "blessed is the peace-maker, for she can truly be called a child of God"
                        Watson:

>And in response to Arjen's "grow up/bloody nose" comments:
>This is not a "Toughen up, soldier!" boot camp. This is a mailing list
>for extropians to exchange ideas and criticisms, not insults. We're on
>the same side -- remember?

I certainly did not intend to punch Eliezer in the nose/teeth, that was
someone called Frank Mcelligott <Frankmac@ripco.com>. He is also known as
'Ass', according to John K Clark ;-). Nor did I intend to insult anybody.

But my post may have turned out harsher than I intended. Thanx for pointing
that out in the way you did. We *are* on the same side, maybe I'm out there
on the flank every now and then but I remain no less committed.

Warmest regards from a cold-son-of-a-bitch to you all,

Arjen

Here's something from www.inspire.com (check 'em out!)

TOMORROW

Finish each day and be done with it.
You have done what you could.
Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in;
forget them as soon as you can.
Tomorrow is a new day;
begin it well and serenely
and with too high a spirit
to be cumbered with your old nonsense.

     - Ralph Waldo Emerson

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
     Arjen Kamphuis | - But why do you want to climb so high?
mountain@knoware.nl | Surely you see that mother-nature never
                     | meant for you to go above 20,000 Ft?
                     | - That's why.



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