From: Anders Sandberg (asa@nada.kth.se)
Date: Thu May 22 2003 - 17:41:25 MDT
On Thu, May 22, 2003 at 12:32:50PM -0700, Natasha Vita-More wrote:
>
> I'd like to see a more compassionate libertarian interface
> that wasn't so Randian in nature.
A kinder, gentler libertarianism? Yes, I have also noted a
hardness in many libertarian discussions. But much of this is
just political culture and possible (with hard work) to grow
away from. A friend has a lovely saying "I'm a libertarian and
capitalist, so I throw money at things and people I like!" -
which really shows that libertarianism can be about friendship
and generosity.
> Inasmuch, it seems to me that a future oriented political
> agenda would pertain to the current issues - even the ones we
> like to ignore because they are beneath us - rather than so
> dramatic a belief about how things ought to be. It isn't
> productive or promising to be staunch in any one 20th Century
> political sphere. A more apt agenda would be one that is
> workable and global. This is why I tend to imprint on
> catalytic schemas such as the ones produced by Bucky Fuller.
I think one need both the staunchness to stand for what one
really believes in, and the flexibility to bring about positive
change. Much of current politics is just flexibility with no
ideological core, and hence becomes mindless pragmatism
supporting the status quo and re-election. Standing around
demanding ideological purity will never lead anywhere and does
tend to produce the rigid kind of thinking that repels people
who agree with the ideas in general. But keeping a balance in
between is hard.
Fuller's catalytic schemas are elegant, but often fragile like
his tensegrities: all parts need to come together to make them
work. When they do, it is a wonder to behold. When they don't,
it is just a mess of wires and sticks. I like the idea of
creating seed organisations and technologies that can grow and
become alternatives to the current situation. The best kind of
catalysis is catalysing creative growth.
> I'd like to know of someone who is thinking more
> futuristically when discussing political models.
Me too. I'll shout when I find them.
> Sure. Today, I plan on working on a mock up. I'll send it as
soon
> as I have it written down.
Great!
> BTY, I had planned to email you privately today, but discussing
> this openly is fine. I look forward to a collaborative exchange.
> Max is in the wing as well and I welcome anyone else who wants to
> help me out with this.
Sounds good. I think this kind of project can benefit from broad
ideas, although in the end they need to be funneled into a
single document and chart.
-- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Anders Sandberg Towards Ascension! asa@nada.kth.se http://www.nada.kth.se/~asa/ GCS/M/S/O d++ -p+ c++++ !l u+ e++ m++ s+/+ n--- h+/* f+ g+ w++ t+ r+ !y
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