>Extropy is the quality of creative order characteristic of living systems.
While an interesting attempt, I think that this definition would muddy rather
than clarify. For one thing, it covers far more territory than "extropy"
proper. I daresay that the proposed definition sounds nearly coextensive
with organic chem! At any rate, it fails to focus on the things that really
interest Extropians: intelligence technologies, self-transformation,
boundless expansion, etc.
For another thing, the putative definition skirts circularity. What is a
"living system" if not a system that embodies the qualities emcompassed by
"extropy"? Of course, you might try to define "living" separately, but as a
review of the literature on artificial life will quickly reveal, you will
quickly find yourself in deep water.
I do not mean to impugn the study of "the quality of creative order
characteristic of living systems," (whatever that may be). Such a study may
prove useful and interesting. It would not, however, say much about
"extropy."
Unless I underestimate the difficulty of generating new words, it should not
be hard to think up a new and more appropriate term. This would not only
enrich our vocabularies but avoid unnecessary confusion.
T.0. Morrow