From: Spudboy100@aol.com
Date: Fri May 23 2003 - 22:44:54 MDT
R. Bradbury asked:
<<For example, if I had the means, time, energy, etc. should I
be supporting myself or my politicians in reforming the
building code in Algiers or the health code in Taiwan???
Robert>>
OK, a taxonomy of world issues relating to Extropian goals.
Points:
1) We can do nothing about quakes, except create better architecture that
resists
quakes. Detecting when quakes will happen would be a life-saver. An early
warning system is needed. In an age of smart buildings, and
super-materials
(Drexler-wise), we could eliminate deaths. However this confluence of
technologies
may properly be 200 years off; as opposed to something more timely.
2) Sars is a newly arisen virus, which we might be able to affect using
anti-virals or
other chemical reactions in the human biology. Its impact is global,
rather then
localized like an earthquake.
I would say that laws or movements that hinder "responsible" research are a
threat to Extropian goals. I would opine that laws, funding, investment that
accelerates basic and applied research are the area to focus on, if your
interest is specifically in furthering Extropian goals.
My own sense of achieving Extropian goals; seems likely to be understanding
and promoting useful areas of physics, astromomy, biology, engineering, and
philosophy as the potential seed-grains for new ideas. This is the cheapest way
to go, but also the longest term. No quick ROI here.
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