From: "Anders Sandberg" <asa@nada.kth.se>
> Yes, and it is not just an issue of naming. But the tools useful to
> track down one group are useful to track down the other. So when
> applauding a technology good for catching the terrorists we should
> remember that it can (and likely will) be used by repressive regimes to
> catch dissidents too.
Yes, obviously just about any technology can be used for repressive purposes
as well as for liberating purposes. So when we extropians applaud
technological advances, we need to remember that new technology may fall into
the hands of religious fanatics and other repressive types. Consequently, as
pointed out in earlier messages, one of the first things we should work on is
to debunk religiosity, which is the most regressive force now operating in
society.
--- --- --- --- ---
Useless hypotheses, etc.:
consciousness, phlogiston, philosophy, vitalism, mind, free will, qualia,
analog computing, cultural relativism, GAC, Cyc, Eliza, cryonics, individual
uniqueness, ego, human values, scientific relinquishment
We move into a better future in proportion as science displaces superstition.
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Sat May 11 2002 - 17:44:13 MDT