From: Eliezer S. Yudkowsky (sentience@pobox.com)
Date: Wed Sep 01 1999 - 06:37:18 MDT
Lee Daniel Crocker wrote:
>
> > Robert, Whether or not you meant to do so, your entire posting
> > comes off as saying that Extropianism is somehow better than
> > general transhumanism,...
>
> ...and your point is? Seriously, why have a philosophy at all if
> you aren't convinced it's the best one? I believe my own ideas are
> the best, others believe theirs are. So what? If they are upset
> by my saying so honestly, that's their problem. We can still act
> like civilized humans and work together toward common goals and
> learn from each other's arguments; but if we both avoid conflict
> and walk on eggshells we won't learn a damned thing. Conflict and
> competition are as necessary to progress as cooperation, and should
> be valued just as highly.
Hear, hear! I think that Singularitarianism is better than
transhumanism, and I think that Externalist Singularitarianism (there's
a mouthful) is better than ordinary Singularitarianism. If I didn't
believe that, I wouldn't be one. Yes, I think my philosophy is better
than your philosophy. I think it has greater logical rigor and promotes
stronger minds. That's what it's all about: There *Is* A Better Way.
den Otter thinks selfishness is superior to Externalism, and does this
threaten me? It neither breaks my leg nor picks my pocket.
It's time to admit that some philosophies are better than others. "My
philosophy is better than your philosophy" is not a statement of
inherent moral superiority, or an insult to the other, but an attempt to
create and transmit a Better Way - no different from "My design for
active shields is better than your design for active shields."
Is Extropianism better than general transhumanism? I haven't
particularly noticed. But if anyone feels it is, then come out and say why!
--
sentience@pobox.com Eliezer S. Yudkowsky
http://pobox.com/~sentience/tmol-faq/meaningoflife.html
Running on BeOS Typing in Dvorak Programming with Patterns
Voting for Libertarians Heading for Singularity There Is A Better Way
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