[extropy-chat] The most "dangerous" idea

[Samantha Atkins]

Us vs Them develops when there are such difference between the groups 
that there is little mutual understanding and when there are 
conflicting needs or agendas.  One such conflict is when one or both 
groups sees the other as a threat that must be eliminated.   In 
transhumanist terms those without various levels of augmentation/life 
extension/intelligence enhancement and so on will consider those who do 
have it as deadly vastly more competitive threats UNLESS the technology 
is either available to all or seen as seriously improving everyone's 
lifes and well-being at a very concrete level.

Just saying we won't have US vs Them because we will not think in such 
terms does not make it so.

- s

On Sep 1, 2004, at 11:24 PM, Adrian Tymes wrote:

> If I understand correctly, this guy was saying that
> transhumanism would, if embraced, be the most
> dangerous
> idea because it would necessarily lead to the most
> extreme "us vs. them" humanity has seen to date?
>
> I would say the most dangerous idea, if embraced, is
> that there needs to be an "us vs. them".  Look what
> has happened when it has been embraced.  Granted, it
> is sometimes inevitable, such as when you have
> different religious sects whose holiest beliefs
> require conversion or genocide of all non-believers.
> But looking to violence or other antagonism as
> always the first resort causes a lot of unneeded
> grief.
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