From: Lee Corbin (lcorbin@tsoft.com)
Date: Sun Jul 20 2003 - 21:30:55 MDT
Mitch writes
Lee Corbin said:
<<. I propose to do away with all stupid
creatures, and, in fact, probably most matter
that is not itself intelligent and capable of
getting along quite nicely without pain.>>
> So all bacteria, mammals, reptiles and birds will be
> exterminated, uploaded, uplifted?
Yes, much in the way that when you built your house
---or hired mercenaries to do it for you---all the
ants and bacteria living where the concrete foundation
is got snuffed.
The reason that I don't have a problem with that is
that the space is being infinitely better used by
having you there. Take that as a compliment!
> I just hung on your particular phrase, and am wondering
> what would you replace them with and when?
My vision is that *all* matter get smarts, and enjoy
life to its fullest. Even my arm is dead. It's nothing
but blood vessels, bone, and muscle that is necessary
(due to current technological limitations) to keep me
alive and able.
All matter should be *at least* as feeling and thoughtful
as your own best 10 cc's of brain tissue. And with
miniaturization, I'm sure that even our brains at present
are largely wasteful.
> On the other hand, I could see Robert's original
> contention that he considered back in 2001, when
> dealing with Al Qeida and militant Islam. I could
> see reasons against doing a nuclear strike; but
> based on reason, I can also see where such an action
> might become inevitable! Therefore, my view is that
> mere intelligence is not the complete answer.
I'm not following you. However, perhaps you mean:
> The answer might be, 'Intelligent enough to develop
> workable ethics.'
Well, what's the matter with *our* ethics, that is
human ethics? IMO there are very few really evil
people. I have never met anyone who I think would
not make a good God. (Yes, some people would be
better than others, but no one I have ever met would
dish out disaster and hardship the way old Jehovah
does.)
> But simple intellectual talent does not necessarily
> bring a more peaceable world. Or have I missed your
> point, completely?
Given that there exist states of matter so advanced
that a few cubic centimeters of it could emulate our
entire civilization sans the really unpleasant stuff,
why not convert the whole solar system to that?
It would be a crime in my book to leave any matter
whatsoever out of that equation---and that certainly
includes mindless trees and insects.
Lee
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