Re: TMS...the truth is out there...

From: Alex Ramonsky (alex@ramonsky.com)
Date: Thu Jun 26 2003 - 12:31:28 MDT

  • Next message: Kevin Freels: "Re: Cryonics and uploading as leaps of faith? (was Re: Uploaded Omniscience)"

    Brett Paatsch wrote:

    >>>>
    >>>>
    >I was joking about wiping away any feelings of guilt that might
    >arise if one could and did wipe away particular memories at
    >will.
    >
    Ah. I misunderstand things. Side effect. : )

    >
    >Actually, I have to admit, there is an element in my persona
    >that flirts with the dark side.
    >
    ...you do realise we're still onlist, don't you? : )

    > I think it's maybe just a sort of
    >survival instinct. A political sense that makes me ask "what if
    >this technology (whatever technology) was used against me
    >or people I care about" (which perhaps as chance would
    >have it is most people actually -including what Spike terms
    >proles but to varying degrees).
    >
    Wow yeh. That's the main reason I think it's good people know what's
    possible and decide what they want to do about it. I wouldn't call it
    political though; I'd call it common sense.

    >
    >The political sense also fires up because I know others also
    >look at new technologies with an element of suspicion and
    >often with less fascination or less of an eye for the upside
    >and this can lead to them mobilizing to try and ban it.
    >
    >
    I know, that's why we keep having to go somewhere else...perhaps it just
    hasn't been far enough?

    >
    >
    >
    >I don't know for sure, but reckon on balance "open" is the
    >way to go.
    >
    I don't know for sure either. But I don't see it going on for much
    longer in secret, and I'd rather we knew before some a-hole starts
    messing with it.

    > When what we are up against is essentially fear
    >of unknown technologies ADDED to worldviews that are
    >pretty cynical about what people will do to each other, there
    >has to be a good reason in my view to run the political risk of
    >being seen to be working conspiratorially.
    >
    What we are up against is essentially fear, period.

    >
    >For me the brain is almost the holy of holies.
    >
    I agree. Does that surprise you?

    > I am confident
    >that most of what makes me me is happening in there, but I
    >regard it still a bit like a critical production system that is
    >running on op code and I haven't got the source.
    >
    It _is_ accessible. Unfortunately not without a price most people don't
    wanna pay, ouch, ouch, -sentiment.

    > For obvious
    >reasons I want to tinker only very carefully.
    >
    That guy's wise : )

    >
    >Research into the workings of brains though I am all for.
    >Perhaps we can reengineer some of the source from the
    >op code.
    >
    Well it would seem this is so. It's not quite a fitting analogy but I
    can't think of one right now, sorry.

    > I particularly like the idea of being able to add
    >modules dynamically without having to go for an all or
    >nothing upload.
    >
    I'm pretty sure this will happen.

    > There is something more appealing about
    >being able to test the water with one toe and possibly
    >retract it as opposed to jumping in in one great reckless
    >plunge.
    >
    Ah -Learn to swim first? (Someone might push you in, after all) : )
    Best,
    AR

    >
    >Regards,
    >Brett Paatsch
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >



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