From: Lee Daniel Crocker (lcrocker@calweb.com)
Date: Wed Sep 03 1997 - 00:24:36 MDT
> << I recently stated my disagreement with the extropian terminology "dynamic
> optimism" partly because it implies that extropian "optimism" results from
> irrational faith rather than hard-headed realistic evaluation of fact.
> >>
>
> The thing is you have to believe more than fact if you're going to get
> anywhere, you need vision.
Nonsense. You don't have to "believe" a thing to have vision,
courage, and opportunity. You may have to be willing to take a
chance, and to commit to something on incomplete proof, but you
certainly don't have to believe. I don't particularly believe
that cryonincs in its present form can achieve what it claims,
or that it is the best investment I can make in my future; I don't
have enough evidence to know that. But I have bet my life (and
$120,000) on it. It didn't take belief, just commitment.
Some of the "dynamic optimism" wording is a bit touchy-feely for
my tastes, but I can see what Max is trying to say, and it is a
part of the vision that fits well. In particular, I have to
disagree with his particular objections to the fine art of
complaining, a noble profession if done well. True, most people
aren't very good at it and just waste their energy, but it can
achieve positive results if applied rationally and optimistically.
-- Lee Daniel Crocker <lee@piclab.com> <http://www.piclab.com/lcrocker.html> "All inventions or works of authorship original to me, herein and past, are placed irrevocably in the public domain, and may be used or modified for any purpose, without permission, attribution, or notification."--LDC
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