Re: look out! long-haired gun loon!

From: Eugene Leitl (eugene@liposome.genebee.msu.su)
Date: Mon Dec 15 1997 - 05:51:06 MST


On Sat, 13 Dec 1997, Kathryn Aegis wrote:

> [...]
> No, thank you.
> My reaction to Anton's posting has more to do with my reasons for
> being on this list rather than the fact that he owns a gun. I'm here
> to work with others to find the new ways in which humans will move
> beyond their present state. I'm looking for the new stories that
> will be told, and the new technologies that will take us there.

Pardon me, but weapons _are_ instances of technology. In fact, many modern
technologies are hi-tech weaponry spin-offs.

Being human encompasses the entire spectrum, from the demon to the saint.
One should think, as our skills grow, so will the scope of our
possibilities. There is no proof that there will be no conflict. In fact,
I think there will always be conflict in a darwinian theatre.
 
> If anyone can explain to me how discussion of instruments designed
> solely for the killing and maiming of other humans relates to the
> purpose of breaking out of entropy and moving human evolution along,
> I will listen.

Perhaps we might need stronger argumentational devices than plain
rhetorics. What will you do if anything you hold sacred is to be tread
into the ground by the equivalent of thugs with guns?
 
> Until then, I find it sickening, and it frightens me in ways I can't
> explain insofar as our future as posthumans. I mean, what are we
> working towards, anyway?

I don't know. Even a postdoc in applied theology won't help here.
 
> Kathryn Aegis

ciao,
'gene



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