Go back and read Cosmic Trigger. Then, re-read the intro.
Extropianistically yours,
- Eric
On Tue, 14 Nov 2000, Eliezer S. Yudkowsky wrote:
> Okay, I'm sorry, but Gematria is not Extropic, it is drooling, empty-headed
> rationalization. Gematria is on the same level of sheer blank-minded
> stupidity as astrology. If you start trying to be tolerant of it, it
> indicates that you have become too open-minded and your brains are now
> starting to fall out.
>
> There is a place for mysticism in embryo Extropians. I myself dabbled in
> mysticism up until the age of fourteen or fifteen or so. However, I expect
> mysticism in Those For Whom There Is Still Hope to take the form of
> fascination with psychic powers, the teleology of the Universe, exotic
> physical theories, mystical interpretations of qualia, reconciliation of
> ultratech futures in terms of religious prophecies, and so on. Taking
> astrology or Gematria seriously indicates that you are a flat-out idiot.
>
> Respecting people who take astrology seriously does not impress others with
> your tolerance. It simply indicates that you do not understand what tolerance
> is *for*, and that you are trying to impress others by adherence to the letter
> of an ethic whose spirit you do not understand.
>
> Furthermore, please note that the Committee on Un-Extropian Activities will be
> investigating all participants in this thread for possible connections to the
> Green Party.
>
> -- -- -- -- --
> Eliezer S. Yudkowsky http://singinst.org/
> Research Fellow, Singularity Institute for Artificial Intelligence
>
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