[extropy-chat] Politics

[David Lubkin]

Dirk wrote:

>If people want to talk about politics let's keep it to either specific
>instances that affect Transhumanist aims directly, or to principles and
>practices op the wider stage..
>Am I alone in this view?

I love to discuss politics, but agree that I don't want the 
day-to-day partisan bicker here.

To me, what's pertinent for the list are topics like:

- an issue of immediate, direct relevance to extropians, such as 
assisted suicide (with its relevance to cryonics and to avoiding 
autopsy) or technology regulation (stem cells, encryption, private spaceflight)

- a general issue with long-term importance to us, such as improving 
science education or understanding the staying power of pseudo-science

- a discussion of mechanisms of politics, to understand what's 
happening and to have an effect on what happens (Some of the best 
conversations I've had were with a friend who was strongly liberal 
and strongly Christian, during the first months of the Clinton 
administration. Instead of talking about what Clinton was trying to 
do, we talked about how effectively he went about it. Our talks were 
productive, civil, and focused.)


-- David.