From: Brett Paatsch (paatschb@ocean.com.au)
Date: Tue Feb 18 2003 - 19:23:17 MST
Eliezer wrote:
> if one must feel patriotic than it is absurd to
> feel that patriotism for [ones own particular country]
> Go Earth!
Absurd? Is it possible that some extropes have become so fixated
on a desirable destination that they have completely abstracted
away the requirement for any journey to get there?
A nearby dictionary yields the following:
Patriotism. n. devotion to one's own country and concern for
its defence.
Well, I don't know about 'devotion' to my country I guess that
depends a little on whether I consider my country as primarily a
piece of real estate or as mainly an extended social group that I
already have connections to and that just happen to be Australians.
As I've grown older my opportunity to know people other than
Australians has increased and I am glad of that but I see nothing
absurd or exclusive in retaining a high regard for family and existing
friends.
I think it would be a strange variety of transhumanism that required
me to demote my family and friends to the mere status of abstract
instances of personhood rather than take the other route and *extend*
my connections, understanding and regard to people of other countries.
The term patriot is not a self descriptor that I am likely to adopt but in
2003, whilst patriotism may be getting slightly over-ripe I don't think
its yet become absurd. When I can apply for citizenship of Earth I'll be
very keen to check that out.
In the meantime I am a little disconcerted when very capable extropes
seem to want to start a journey of becoming by assuming we have
already arrived. Such assumptions *might* actually *delay* arrival.
Onward yes, but let's watch the step. There might be a lemming word
for onward.
- Brett
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