In article <11q14icp7keft7e@corp.supernews.com>, waterspider@moonlight.net
(Waterspider) wrote:

>
> "Alan" <alan@veloceraptor.free-online.co.uk> wrote ..
> 
>
> Speaking of the lie of formal education, ever read Ishmael by Daniel Quinn
?
> I think you'd enjoy it.
>
> Spidey

http://www.2think.org/ishmael.shtml

One of the fascinating topics dealing with the various aspects of the human
condition is dogma. The need that so many people seem to have not only now b
ut
also in the past to force (in varying degrees) their views of what they thin
k is
"right" onto others. Quinn shows through the fictional metaphors used in the
book, other examples, and his own lack of giving definite conclusions that
diversity and freethought can provide better results than rigid, homogenous
populations and views. For instance, on page 170 he states, "It's going to b
e
hard as hell for them to give it up, because what they're doing is right (in
their own mind), and they have to go on doing it even if it means destroying
 the
world and mankind with it."

A major theme of the book deals with thinking before acting. His take on our
actions is that we should not only consider the short and long-term (meaning
during one's lifetime) impacts, but we should also consider the eternal
consequences of our actions. If I choose to do something that gives me X amo
unt
of benefit in the short run and XX amount of benefit in the long run, should
 I
still go ahead with the action if it also includes XXX+ amount of detriment
after I'm dead?

LMAO. I can't help thinking somebody should have read that before they lost
their temper with me.

"Giving it up would mean . . . It would mean that all along they'd been wron
g.
It would mean that they'd never known how to rule the world. It would mean .
 . .
relinquishing their pretensions to godhood."

So true Spidey. I think I have to get a copy of this book. Thanks Spidey.



Alan

"Can't you see we're still here,
Can't you see we're still here,
Singing loud; Singing clear,
We shall not go under,
We're still here."

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