>From: Martin Ling <martin@nodezero.org.uk>
>Date: Fri, 9 Jun 2000 19:17:58 +0100
>
>On Fri, Jun 09, 2000 at 10:31:05AM -0700, Zero Powers wrote:
> >
> > I agree. While we may all be able to agree on the meaning of the terms
> > "entropy" and its opposite, "extropy", I think the term "extropian" is
> > subject to more debate. One person might (reasonably) claim that you
>are
> > not extropian unless you live by the stated principles of ExI. Another
> > person might (just as reasonably) claim that you are extropian if you
>are
> > merely opposed to the increase of entropy.
>
>Surely the key question is whether ExI has exclusive use of the term?
Well, if you mean do they have the exclusive right to say the word, I think
the answer to that is pretty obvious. However, if (as I suspect) what you
are asking is whether ExI members are the only ones who can properly call
themselves Extropians, that's a little harder to answer. I suppose you
can't stop even the most Luddite of persons from calling themselves
Extropian, just like, as an atheistic-leaning agnostic, I could call myself
a "Catholic" if I wanted to. Does that mean I'm really a Catholic? Hardly.
So for those who, for whatever reason, feel the need to label themselves, I
suppose they can put whatever words they want on those labels. But the
labels would be pretty meaningless unless there was at least *some*
consensus on the definitions of the words on those labels. To that extent
if the members of ExI want to claim exclusive right to use the "Extropian"
label, I have no problem with that. But that doesn't mean there isn't room
for others who could use similar or related labels (i.e. social-Extropian,
philosophical-Extropian, neo-Extropian, classic-Extropian, reform-Extropian,
liberal-, conservative-, etc., etc.).
My feeling, FWIW, is that the label --whatever it is-- is superfluous. I
live my life. I love when I am influenced by the reason or beauty of
others' ideas. That's why I participate on this list. My outlook and
opinions ebb and flow with the more ideas I am exposed to. Am I an
Extropian? I don't know, perhaps not. Even if I was, I don't think I would
label myself with the term. I don't see the point.
-Zero
"I like dreams of the future better than the history of the past"
--Thomas Jefferson
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