[extropy-chat] POLITICS: terrorism and strategies

[Kevin Freels]

I read that Robert proposed this as the utilitarian solution. Did he ever
claim it as HIS personal solution?





----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Acy James Stapp" <astapp at fizzfactorgames.com>
To: "ExI chat list" <extropy-chat at lists.extropy.org>
Sent: Friday, June 25, 2004 11:53 AM
Subject: RE: [extropy-chat] POLITICS: terrorism and strategies


> Robert J. Bradbury wrote:
> > Instead we are content to sit on our hands and ignore "passive"
> > destruction of life which significantly exceeds in all
> > probability some planned "active" destruction of life (which some
> > so strongly object to).  I.e.  "Oh don't mind me -- I'm just
> > guilty of the sins of omission rather than sins of commission...".
>
> You are neglecting a few factors that insure that your proposed
> solutions will be never be implemented.
>
> Firstly, *people* are going to have to perform these acts.
> Someone has to push the button, and pushing that button would
> most likely be percieved as a war crime. It's much harder to
> be personally prosecuted for a sin of omission than a sin of
> comission.
>
> Simple self-preservation will ensure that those with the
> capability to achieve your solutions will never do so.
> It's pretty hard to coverup a gigantic nuclear explosion;
> and public opinion world-wide would be massively brought to
> bear against someone commiting such an act.
>
> If, given certain knowledge that Hitler (or some other abominable
> historical figure) was going to commit massive genocide, you were
> able to go back in time and assasinate him before he could
> cause any damage [1], would you? Assume that you personally
> would be caught, tried, and executed. Would you pull the trigger?
>
> Acy
>
> [1] Neglecting the geopolitical situation at the time, which
> might have brought someone equally despicable to power.
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