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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> extropy-chat [mailto:extropy-chat-bounces@lists.extropy.org] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Mike Dougherty<br><b><span style='color:#1F497D'>…</span></b></span><br>><span style='color:#1F497D'>>…</span> On the contrary, do invent dimensions, if the notion explains some observed phenomenon.<o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='color:#1F497D'>>…</span>Is it still ok if it is to explain un-observed phenomenon ... or observed non-phenomenon. :)<o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='color:#1F497D'>Hmmm, that is a bit close to improper procedure. A bit too religioney for my taste. {8^D However, in the particular case of Fermi’s Paradox, I am flat desperate.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><br>><span style='color:#1F497D'>>…</span> Edwin Abbott was brilliant.<o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='color:#1F497D'>>…</span>You probably could read the book in about as much time as watch: <a href="http://www.flatlandthemovie.com/">http://www.flatlandthemovie.com/</a> - however the movie does a good of preserving the intent while updating some of the obsolete social commentary.<span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>The political incorrectness of the original is part of its charm. Even my bride has sufficient sense of humor to appreciate the flagrant (apparent) sexist and classist views of Abbott. It gives us a view of how far society has come, ja? There is another dimension as well ({8^D): Abbott was writing parody within parody, ridiculing the sexism and classism of his day and place.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>spike<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></body></html>