[extropy-chat] an(other) Aussie visits Texas

[spike]

> bounces at lists.extropy.org] On Behalf Of Eliezer S. Yudkowsky
...
> 
> ...refusing to accept reality...
...
> 
> Yes, I've met ordinary mortals and been deeply shocked by the things
> they didn't know - but they still didn't believe that Star Wars is based
> on a true story... Eliezer S. Yudkowsky                          


There were some ambiguous questions here.  If someone were ask me how many
world wars there have been, I would be hesitant to trot out the common
answer.  Citing only the two great wars of the 20th century seems rather
Euro-centric.  The struggle between communism and capitalism that went on
for 40 years in the latter 20th century seems to me to qualify as a world
war.  The cultural war between radical Islm and the rest of the world seems
it would qualify.

Is Star Wars based on a true story?  Depends on how one defines "based on".
I have heard it said that Herbert's Dune is based on Gibbon's Decline and
Fall of the Roman Empire.  It would likely be difficult to find anyone who
has read either, far more difficult to find anyone who has read both.

If we use "based on" in the sense that the humans, clingons and vulcans are
based on Americans, Chinese and Jews respectively, then one could see the
claim that Star Wars could be based on the Maccabean revolt of the second
century BCE.

spike