From: GeoffCobb@AOL.COM
Date: Wed Apr 09 1997 - 09:57:32 MDT
In a message dated 97-04-09 02:42:15 EDT, you write:
>
> Most people care more than you about what other people will respect in
> them and desire from them, but perhaps your children will be like you
> here. Even so, you surely want your children to have realistic
> expectations about what sort of things are possible for them. You
> don't want them to think they can fly by jumping off the roof and
> flapping their arms. And if, for example, they announce their
> interest in being a movie star, princess, professional basketball
> player, or astronaut, you probably want to make it clear these are
> long shots.
>
I dare to think that Extropians have gone beyond this kind of limit teaching.
This very meme is what I encounter expicitly when i speak of Extropy.
I was really surprised to see it on this list. Dynamic Optimism does indeed
mean getting a REALISTIC view, so astronaut or athlete or artist would not
be an easy task, I need to tell a child it entail lots of work; a true
talent; perserverence of great magnitude... but to call it a 'long shot' is
to *discourage* them from ever trying! ...dynamic pessimism?? Its a kindly
meme parents often use to protect their kids from failing -and terrifying to
me, yikes!
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