Lee Daniel Crocker wrote:
>
> > Robert, Whether or not you meant to do so, your entire posting
> > comes off as saying that Extropianism is somehow better than
> > general transhumanism,...
>
> ...and your point is? Seriously, why have a philosophy at all if
> you aren't convinced it's the best one? I believe my own ideas are
> the best, others believe theirs are. So what? If they are upset
> by my saying so honestly, that's their problem. We can still act
> like civilized humans and work together toward common goals and
> learn from each other's arguments; but if we both avoid conflict
> and walk on eggshells we won't learn a damned thing. Conflict and
> competition are as necessary to progress as cooperation, and should
> be valued just as highly.
Hear, hear! I think that Singularitarianism is better than transhumanism, and I think that Externalist Singularitarianism (there's a mouthful) is better than ordinary Singularitarianism. If I didn't believe that, I wouldn't be one. Yes, I think my philosophy is better than your philosophy. I think it has greater logical rigor and promotes stronger minds. That's what it's all about: There *Is* A Better Way. den Otter thinks selfishness is superior to Externalism, and does this threaten me? It neither breaks my leg nor picks my pocket.
Is Extropianism better than general transhumanism? I haven't particularly noticed. But if anyone feels it is, then come out and say why!
-- sentience@pobox.com Eliezer S. Yudkowsky http://pobox.com/~sentience/tmol-faq/meaningoflife.html Running on BeOS Typing in Dvorak Programming with Patterns Voting for Libertarians Heading for Singularity There Is A Better Way