RE: seti@home is SORTA WORKING

Rob Harris Cen-IT (Rob.Harris@bournemouth.gov.uk)
Mon, 12 Jul 1999 13:19:13 +0100

This means that we must reconsider the possibility of divine intervention throughout history. This is an historically unproductive tactic but it is the inescapable consequence of considering that we live in a universe fully populated with superintelligences.

There is a distinction between what people will understand when you talk of
"divine intervention" as opposed to "the work of an SI". Try telling a
religious person that their God is an Alien, or an SI. They won't have it. Religion is not concerned with reality, in fact it's central purpose is to take the human focus off of reality and on to a much easier to handle
"faithful dog" scenario. There goes fear of death, there goes "What is the
universe/we for?" , there goes injustice, and there goes moral responsibility (e.g. "The God says chop up those kids with a machete, let's do it, he's always RIGHT").
This is why the divine intervention view is historically unproductive, as opposed to scientific speculation that involves highly advanced civilisations. I wouldn't confusethe two - the latter could shine light on a great many mysteries, whether or not our theories eventually turn out to be 100% correct or not.

Rob.



This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager.

This footnote also confirms that this email message has been swept by MIMEsweeper for the presence of computer viruses.

www.bournemouth.gov.uk