From: GBurch1@aol.com
Date: Thu Jul 22 1999 - 05:39:01 MDT
In a message dated 99-07-21 20:06:58 EDT, you write:
> Why am I the only person on this list who doesn't know if there are
nonhuman
> artifacts on Mars or not...?
For what it's worth, I think it's probably more likely that I'll run into
Elvis today at lunch than that there is a human face sculpted into a mountain
on Mars. But if you want to approach the subject with a fresh and open mind
and a very healthy dose of skepticism, hey, it's your time and effort that's
involved, so it really doesn't bother me. I can understand why people will
react negatively, because if a subject has attracted known kooks and been
treated positively on the cover of the National Enquirer, smart and
well-informed people will recoil from it -- it's just human nature to not
want to be associated with something they find repulsive; namely, dangerous
credulity. That natural reaction MIGHT cut off valuable inquiry into
worthwhile subjects from time to time, but probably more often saves one
wasted time and effort and protects one's reputation for rationality. If
that devolves into true close-mindedness and bullying, it's a bad thing, I'll
agree. Whenever such value-based balancing acts are called for, you can't
satisfy everybody.
And, in the words of the King, "Thank you very much . . ."
Greg Burch <GBurch1@aol.com>----<gburch@lockeliddell.com>
Attorney ::: Vice President, Extropy Institute ::: Wilderness Guide
http://users.aol.com/gburch1 -or- http://members.aol.com/gburch1
"Civilization is protest against nature;
progress requires us to take control of evolution."
-- Thomas Huxley
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