From: Anton Sherwood (dasher@netcom.com)
Date: Mon Dec 15 1997 - 20:17:51 MST
I thank Mike Butler for his sane and balanced post (Sunday).
: Anton is "guilty" of proclaiming his acquisition of old
: tech, and in that sense it is no more relevant than, say,
: my announcing that I bought a new "beater" $1000 car.
Mea culpa. Worse was my taste in language: describing myself as
"gun loon" and "threat to public order" was appropriate for the
other recipients, but not for this list.
My interest in guns has several roots. First, the future: I bet
even money that the USA will either break up or go fascist within
15 years, and learning to shoot is one way to make myself more
ready. Abolition of violence would be nice but ain't gonna happen
by then. Second, the present: I want to be able to do more than
call 911 if necessary. (A few months ago I picked up my pistol
on hearing a predawn cry for help. The incident proved to be
minor, but what if?) Third but not least, I enjoy the technology
of guns, and the simple pleasure of learning to hit a target.
Each of these three purposes, I contend, is extropian in spirit,
though none requires future technology - any more than calorie
restriction or aikido!
Two years ago when I brought home my first gun, my then rentmate
(who owns five) said, "Congratulations. May you never need it."
Anton Sherwood *\\* +1 415 267 0685 *\\* DASher@netcom.com
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