[ExI] olympic opening ceremonies

[Anders Sandberg]

On 28/07/2012 17:05, BillK wrote:
> My hands were also handcuffed behind my back.

Seems like I have missed the trend. I better get handcuffed too, it is 
simply the done thing these days!


As for the paganism of the opening ceremonies, I think that is 
appropriate. The Olympic games were originally religious festivities, 
and were revived as a kind of festivities for abstractions like Peace 
and Excellence. Note the magical fire ceremonies. And if you squint 
hard, you can see the worship of mortals pushing themselves towards 
demigodhood. One reason so many people dislike doping is that the 
athletes are supposed to represent the best there is of humanity, and 
breaking rules in the wrong way is seen as tarnishing it. Which of 
course leaves plenty of questions about cases like Pistorius - a new 
path to godhood?

-- 
Anders Sandberg,
Future of Humanity Institute
Oxford Martin School
Faculty of Philosophy
Oxford University