From: Michael S. Lorrey (mlorrey@datamann.com)
Date: Fri Dec 01 2000 - 13:58:48 MST
Yes, anyone who has read either uplift trilogy will see how he blithely
accepts ideas of government enforced eugenics programs applied to all
members of a species, should see how he is no libertarian, although he
did redeem a bit in the second trilogy (Brightness Reef, Infinity's
Shore, Heaven's Reach) by depicting a society of 'sooners' of several
species illegally colonizing a fallow world, and sympathized with the
view of a more anarchical society and against dogma, fascism, and force.
He is smarmily two faced about things, and is right to understand that
'wishywashy' individuals like himself are no good.
hal@finney.org wrote:
>
> As long term list members will recall, we have had some acrimonious
> debates with David Brin on this list about his attitudes towards privacy.
> He ran into similar highly negative responses from others in the online
> community.
>
> I believe it is this issue which has brought him to his present meta-
> analysis of attitudes and ideologies. It was a terrible shock to him
> to find himself accused of supporting tyranny and wanting to quash the
> freedom of individuals to communicate privately. He didn't really think
> of himself as tyrant material.
>
> So he has launched a meta ideological battle on a number of fronts,
> arguing against ideology itself in favor of pragmatic compromise. He also
> seems to be attacking individualist philosophy. His mantra, "I am a
> member of a civilization" is meant to remind us of how we owe to others.
>
> Personally, I consider the ideas Brin is pushing to be significant
> threats to the values which are most important to me. I don't want to
> demonize the guy, but based strictly on his current writings I have to
> view him as an enemy. I hope people can see past the smiling face and
> jokey writing style to recognize the importance and seriousness of the
> issues he is raising. David Brin is a dedicated and sincere ideological
> warrior who is fighting a long-term, well-planned campaign to use his
> writing skills to influence public opinion.
>
> Hal
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