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