[extropy-chat] Politics: Extropian party

[Adrian Tymes]

--- David Lubkin <extropy at unreasonable.com> wrote:
> I think it is extraordinarily unlikely that
> organized extropians could 
> actually accomplish anything through the political
> avenues suggested so far 
> in this thread.

I am not so sure, but let's assume that for argument's
sake.  There are certainly other possibilities...

> On the other hand, looking at the respectability and
> successes of the Cato 
> Institute, I am hopeful about the ability of a
> focused group to influence 
> from the sidelines through a speaker's bureau,
> symposia, draft legislation, 
> amicus briefs, legislative analysis, op-ed pieces,
> etc.

...definitely including this.

If ExI had a chance to draft and submit one piece of
legislation for the next (post-election) session of
the US Congress to consider, what would it be?  (And
what's this "if" - surely some of us can find ways to
at least get it introduced for debate, no?)

> However, we have always been a community where wild
> ideas could be 
> explored, where very little was off-limit. Nearly
> all of us have voiced our 
> support for one or more propositions that would be
> considered kooky, 
> dangerous, or abhorrent by the rest of society.
> 
> How do we preserve our free-wheeling ways (and
> strengthen them, for I feel 
> they've suffered of late) while increasing our
> effectiveness in the public 
> arena?

Split the community off from the official statements.
This is an email list hosted by ExI for the benefit of
its members, but almost nothing said on this list is
the official position of ExI.  (There are a few things
that are, but they are usually labelled as such or
otherwise pretty easy to identify as such.)  On the
other hand, ExI is perfectly capable of making
statements - for instance letting the list come up
with ideas for legislation, running the result by some
lawyers to double-check (or even to officially word
it, if necessary), then publishing and endorsing a
final draft.