From: Simon Smith (simon_writes@hotmail.com)
Date: Wed Jan 08 2003 - 06:56:31 MST
I've already responded to Damien directly, and I don't want to duplicate
those comments here.
But just a few quick points.
I, too, Damien am a professional communicator. I spent four years getting
a journalism degree, have experience building prototype magazines and
worked during the Internet boom years in an intense business incubator as
an editor responsible for building a health portal. Among other
professional activities, I also guest lecture on Web writing and reporting
at Ryerson University in Toronto.
I'm perfectly happy to have some people deeply dislike or even hate the
name "Betterhumans," as well as other aspects of the Website. All we can
do is our best -- based on formal and informal research, and gut
feelings -- and everyone is entitled to an opinion. With a semiotician,
Shannon Foskett, as an associate editor, we are well aware of the meaning
in our symbols.
But the name was chosen for a reason. When I went through the process of
creating it, I spoke with a deconstructionist, anthropologist friend about
what we mean by "better." Her argument, of course, was that "better" is
culturally relative.
My response to such statements is always something along the lines of
this: Does that mean we should be satisfied with sickness, poverty,
inequality, tyranny and all sorts of other things humanity has struggled
against throughout its existence?
No. "Better" has meaning. I have no problem saying that we all want to
become better humans, or that we want to better humanity.
Sincerely,
Simon Smith
Editor-in-chief
Betterhumans
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