[extropy-chat] darfur

[Samantha Atkins]

On Apr 30, 2006, at 2:59 PM, Ned Late wrote:

> Here's another spin on this: in the sixth paragraph you'll notice a  
> Ron Fisher wrote that participating in the darfur genocide protest  
> is a "socially responsible, good conscience thing to do". Feel  
> Goodism. That is to say it makes me feel better-- 'look at me, I'm  
> so decent I'll take time out from my day to go to a protest'. The  
> protest is worthy but the motivation is mostly 'look at me, I'm so  
> concerned, sympathetic & decent-- I deserve recognition, hope the  
> press photographer snaps a picture of me'.


That I feel better at least speaking getting out and speaking up  
rather than say, sitting at home watching the tube, is surely not  
such a bad thing relatively speaking.  Maybe we should count that one  
to the good.    I don't think it is about hoping to get in the paper  
though and I don't see where that, well,  cynical a view is  
justified.   Also, regardless of motive, the number of people who  
publicly speak up is important.


> And how about those that attend anti-globalization rallies, or  
> attend protests against oil corporations, driving to the  
> demonstrations in their gas-guzzlers? Americans have so little  
> savoir faire, no one ever went broke underestimating the taste of  
> Americans. Isn't taste to be considered extropian?
>

Are you part of the solution or another part of the problem?  Slams  
of Americans per se are surely not helpful.   Or do you believe you  
are too hip to be bothered with more than cynicism and an opportunity  
to trot out your favored evaluations and poke some folks in the eye?


- samantha