Re: Those wacky primates (was Re: MEMETICS: Politeness in Communicat

Lee Daniel Crocker (lcrocker@calweb.com)
Thu, 16 Jan 1997 17:28:25 -0800 (PST)


> For me, the issue about politeness concerns the in-group/out-group
> dynamics and dominance hierarchies in societies and their associated
> components (human genome, memes). What is the intention of the
> communication? Is "the meaning of the communication the response that
> you get?" If not, _why_?

Communication is just another act of will, like any other. So the
question is "What is the purpose of /my life/, and what actions--
including the act of communication--must I take to further that
purpose?"

As an Extropian, my purpose is boundless expansion of sentient beings
such as myself. To know everything, be everywhere, feel every feeling,
live forever, and fill the universe. Every action I take furthers that
purpose.

Free trade and free inquiry further that purpose. The more producers
I can trade with and the more minds I can learn from, the sooner we can
achieve that goal. Restraints upon either one--whether external or
self-imposed--detract from that goal.