From: Jeff Davis (jrd1415@yahoo.com)
Date: Thu Aug 28 2003 - 15:26:14 MDT
--- Rafal Smigrodzki <rafal@smigrodzki.org> wrote:
> Anders wrote:
> > Hmm, is it just my swedishness, or are the tone of
> these letters a bit
> > aggressive? Also, pointing out that cryonicists
> are technologically
> > sophisticated and using the Galileo card sounds
> downright cultish.
> > Especially in the US I have the distinct feeling
> that suggesting that
> > religion is a superstition is not on average going
> to predispose
> > people kindly. Could it be that we are reacting a
> bit too reflexively?
> >
> > Maybe the core issue should be stated more calmly:
> yes, this is a
> > practice some people see as pseudoscience or
> yukky, but almost any
> > practice, be it cremation, the use of antibiotics
> for appendicitis or
> > acupuncture is viewed as pseudoscience or yukky by
> *someone* (or even
> > most people). That still does not mean it should
> be hindered unless it
> > actually hurts somebody. A society which cannot
> tolerate diversity and
> > unusual ideas is going to end up impoverished and
> intolerant.
> >
> > I wonder if one could get some of Richard
> Florida's ideas about how
> > the creative class moves in here. Essentially, if
> a place like
> > Michigan shows that it does not tolerate the
> unusual (by banning
> > cryonics and tounge splitting) it sends a signal
> to many of the
> > cultural creatives that increasingly form the core
> of economic growth
> > that this is not the place to be. It does not
> matter that most never
> > would even consider getting a suspension or split
> tounge, they know
> > that their own particular interests or views might
> be circumscribed
> > and that the area is less likely to attract other
> interesting people
> > - so they go elsewhere. Is that a desired signal?
>
> ### I fully agree with the above (maybe it's my
> Polishness). There is no
> need to antagonize an official who may not be
> totally an enemy, and even if
> he is, sounding too strident is in bad taste. By all
> means, those who wish
> to contact Hollister on CI's behalf should try for a
> reasoned if firm tone,
> along exactly the lines of Ander's thinking.
>
> Rafal
>
I'm mostly in agreement with Anders and Rafal, but....
It has been my experience that when rationalists use a
measured rational tone when confronting emotionalists
or politicians, the latter
interpreting this as weakness, are emboldened, and the
former get eaten for lunch. The essence of political
professionalism is to be polite even
while they slip the knife between your victims ribs.
Now, I am aware of how inflammatory this sounds, but
frankly I'm pissed. And I think that sometimes it is
necessary, as Shakespeare said, to:
Beware of entrance to a quarrel, but being in,
Bear't that the opposed may beware of thee.
I'm perfectly thrilled to have all the silly people
with their favorite silly belief systems frolic to
their hearts content. I'm even ready to stand in
solidarity with them to protect this right. But I'll
be damned if I'll stand idly or POLITELY by while they
strip me of the same rights, even to the point of
marching me into the grave or cremation chamber.
There is a time for "aggressive", and when that time
comes, sooner--as in "nip it in the bud"--is better
than later.
Now, regarding my letter being used as a template, I'm
flattered, but I think that idea should be discarded.
Natasha asked for a template, but
frankly, my letter ain't it. It has all manner of
flaws for such usage, not the least of which is that a
slew of similar letters would look like some kind of
cultish activism with me as the cult leader, and I
really, really, don't think we want to go there. I
know I don't. But as I said, if you find some useful
bit in any of my ranting, feel free.
If you want to do a good cop/bad cop whipsaw on this
Hollister creature, I'll be happy to be the bad cop.
Finally, what I find astonishing and particularly
infuriating are (1) that Hollister may be using the
Cryonics Institute as a "soft target" for his personal
political advancement, and (2) that the underlying
"religious" fanaticism that fuels this whole business
is --un-flippin-believable-- the religion of,...wait
for it....
***!!! BASEBALL!!!***
I'm sorry.
I gotta die for flippin baseball???!!!
Hold me the fuck down--pardon my French-- 'cause I'm
seriously gonna be losin' it.
Best, Jeff Davis
"For centuries our race has built on false
assumptions. If you build a fantasy based on a false
assumption and continue to build on such a fantasy,
your whole existence becomes a lie which you implant
in others who are too lazy or too busy to question
it's truth." - Michael Moorcock
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