Re: Art (was Re: Skeptics Take on the Extropian Concept)

Eugene Leitl (eugene@liposome.genebee.msu.su)
Tue, 3 Mar 1998 21:43:00 +0300 (MSK)


On Tue, 3 Mar 1998, =- deluxe -= wrote:

> Interesting point of view.
>
> I would say that the reflection of human nature in life, tends to give
> people a sense of meaning, which according to Segan's film Contact, science
> has failed to provide.

Speak for yourself ;)

If you speak for the majority, ok. But somehow I don't think this is a
problem of science.

> I think humans, particularly scientists, seem to think that they can
> control nature itself. This dangerous perspective is responsible for the

Define control. Define nature. Control of certain complex systems is
notoriously iffy, long-term control of ergodic systems is even provably
impossible.

> misuse of advancements in science which have led to one of the worst eras
> of earths history, in terms of pollution.

It ain't quite the scientist's fault, nicht wahr? An advancement in the
ivory tower does not produce measurable effects. It is the mass-market
braindead implementation of the principle which causes measurable impact.
We can hardly abscond the whole idea of doing scientic research if the
idiots misuse our results, can we?

> ahh who knows what I'm trying to say..

Not I.

>
> where's my coffee.

where's my vodka.

> jeff
[...]

'gene