Re: Extropian Optimism

Max More (maxmore@primenet.com)
Mon, 18 Nov 1996 10:27:21 -0700 (MST)

At 01:13 AM 11/16/96 -0800, you wrote:
>I think I'm having a definition problem here. Perhaps a few of the more
>optimistic out there can enlighten me.
>
>So, my questions are; What is your defintion of optimism? What role does
>optimism play in Extropian Philoshphy? Is there such a thing as too much
>optimism? What about when optimism turns into blind faith, or
>unreasonable hopes?
>
>To sum up-
>Just what the hell is Dynamic Optimism? How does it help you? Is it
>genetic or can you learn it? Did you learn it? If so, how? How would you
>go about teaching someone to be dynamically optimistic?

David: It would really be helpful if you were to first read the original
Extropian writing on dynamic optimism. I think it will answer most of your
questions. Reading primary writings is generally expected on the Extropians
list before asking people to explain an idea that's already been explained
at length. Once you've read the essay, you'll be in a good position to pose
further questions.

The essay appeared in Extropy #8. It's not on ExI's web site yet (I'm
considering whether to put on there a new version) but it's on my web site at:

http://www.primenet.com/~maxmore/optimism.htm

Onward!

Max
Max More, Ph.D.
more@extropy.org
http://www.primenet.com/~maxmore
President, Extropy Institute, Editor, Extropy
info-exi@extropy.org, http://www.extropy.org
(310) 398-0375