[extropy-chat] (no subject)

[Evan Hamlin]

Wow I stop reading for a matter of days and return to find that you guys 
have snuffed the fire of curiosity out of someone. I am disgusted at the 
nature of some of the replies to David Stiger's reasonable and polite 
request to hear opinions on Freemason theory. If it is as ludicrous as some 
of you have indicated, then why is it still around? Besides that, we are 
meant to be renowned for an unprecedented level of open-mindedness and 
prospicience. Not to say that I necessarily agree with freemason conspiracy 
theory, but after the manner with which you brutally put down his ideas, it 
sure makes people think twice about posting potentially interesting theories 
or topics of discussion.

An extra thanks to Amara and Mike for their open-mindedness and courtesy. It 
appears that being a brain doesn't necessarily do much for one's people 
skills. I guess I shouldnt be expecting to see apologies anytime soon 
either.

-Evan
"Life is sexually transmitted"

PS: For some reason it seems that my posts are not being threaded correctly 
in the archives (where I prefer to read instead of receiving a billion 
emails, and yes I know about the digest). Everytime I post it starts a new 
thread, despite having an identical subject line. Anyone?

----- Original Message -----
Way to go guys, scare off another potential extropian.  Because there are 
certainly too many of them.

David, do not come to think that the abrasiveness of Eliezer, Damien and 
others is the prevalent attitude on this list (though its certainly present) 
think more of Amara or Mike Lorreys responses.  Basically, the abrasives 
think the things you believe are hogwash (as do I) and couldnt be bothered 
to even give a moment of time to try to explain, calmly and rationally, to 
you, why they are.  That's fine, I am way to busy to post frequently but I 
do fervently read nearly every post and still find this one of the most 
intellectually stimulating forums.  But they dont stop there, instead these 
abrasive types prefer to re affirm their own intellectual superiority by 
spotlighting how intellectual inferior they feel you are.  If that were not 
the case, they would just filter you out, or ignore your posts.

To Extropes, If he becomes a troll then ban him.  It seems reasonable to 
think he is not.  Clearly something brought David Stiger to this forum, 
instead of harassing and chastising him for beliefs that are wrong, we 
should welcome him and attempt to explain calmly why those beliefs are 
probably mistaken, and find value in the common ground that brought him 
here.  Thank you Amara and Mike for attempting it.  Shame on Damien and 
Eliezer for being reprehensible jerks.

David, I highly recommend reading Carl Sagan's book, 'Science as a candle in 
the dark', or Michael Shermer's Book 'Why people believe wierd things'  They 
might give you the intellectual foundation for understanding why these grand 
conspiracy theories are wrong.

Matus

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