From: Randy S (cryofan@mylinuxisp.com)
Date: Thu Aug 28 2003 - 16:12:58 MDT
Jeff Davis <jrd1415@yahoo.com> said:
> --- 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.
Can I get a WITNESS!?
-- -------------- -Randy
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.5 : Thu Aug 28 2003 - 16:24:14 MDT