[ExI] "Off topic discussions"

[Natasha Vita-More]

Lee, you may be correct; nontheless, Giulio's observation embraces a wider
sociological perception.

Nlogo1.tif Natasha Vita-More

-----Original Message-----
From: extropy-chat-bounces at lists.extropy.org
[mailto:extropy-chat-bounces at lists.extropy.org] On Behalf Of Lee Corbin
Sent: Monday, May 18, 2009 11:50 PM
To: ExI chat list
Subject: [ExI] "Off topic discussions"

Giulio writes

> Unfortunately the only topics that seem to stimulate some interest on 
> the list lately are those related to the superiority of a race or 
> economic system wrt others. Sad.

Well, you have to admit that you exaggerate a bit. We have, for example, at
the present moment an epistemology discussion, a general humor discussion, a
discussion of vitamins, and several others.

The economic system superiority of some system and the group superiority of
a class of people are hot topics, mostly because they've been in the closet
so long. It makes most people very uncomfortable to discuss them, quite
apart from whether or not they're appropriate to the list. Your very email,
where you write "sad", I think attests to this.

Although "catharsis mechanisms" in general are suspect, it's probably good
that societies air out certain topics, rather than continue to suppress
their discussion. This was just as true in the 19th and 20th (and, egads,
21st) centuries about the possible truth of religion as other "sensitive"
things are now. It one of the graces of the open society that we should all
be grateful for.

Lee

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