On Thu, Jul 03, 2003 at 07:22:19AM -0700, Nick Arnett wrote: > I think that the idea of talking dolphins is quite absurd, but that > doesn't mean that I don't appreciate Brin's writings. Uplift may well > be impossible, but that doesn't make the books worthless or dangerous, > does it?
Apples and oranges. There is a reasonable scientific basis for uplift, based on genetic engineering. Yes, it is beyond our current technology, but it is easy to see how it might be done after our GE technology and understanding of the brain has improved. But MOST IMPORTANTLY, this is a phenomenon that is experimentally verifiable, in stark contrast to most religious ideas which are specifically designed to be unverifiable. > I don't spend much more time worrying about whether or not, or how, > Jesus walked on water than I spend worrying about whether or not, or > how, uplift is possible. It would be much more productive thinking about the uplift, since it could be a hugely beneficial advance for humanity someday. > Spending a lot of time and energy arguing about the literal truth of > the Bible makes about as much sense to me as learning Klingon. It > might be entertaining, a distraction or an intellectual exercise, but > I don't believe it has anything to do with morality, ethics and other > metaphysics. Unfortunately, many religious people do not agree with you. > So, I'd certainly appreciate it if you'd recognize the lack of logic > in your dismissal of all religion based on literalism. Well, I'd certainly appreciate it if you accept that by choosing to associate yourself with religion, you are also choosing to associate yourself with all the baggage that comes with religion. And the majority of it is bad. > It seems quite ironic to find such attitudes in a science fiction > community! But perhaps the phrase "science fiction" is inherently > ironic in the way that "religious truth" is. I think you have a fundamentally flawed view of science if you think that people who like to speculate on future science and technology should also think religion is worthwhile. -- "Erik Reuter" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> http://www.erikreuter.net/ _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
