From: Newtopia (MicroSSG_at_Comcast.net)
Date: Thu Feb 05 2004 - 14:48:19 PST
Reminds me of an ethics class at Michigan State University (Go State Win)
((shameless plug)), and the entire semester was in the definition of good
and bad. Needless to say that after the 12 weeks of constant capitulation of
terms and differing ideas, there was no definition that was accepted by the
class, nearly 300 of us. Our professor used the last class normally reserved
for the dreaded final exam as a period of reflection about the task and shed
some interesting light. Good and bad are simply relevant to everyone's
interpretation and can't really be defined. This is of course a very
truncated description of what went on...
In the end, Ed make your circle big enough to fit me!
Regards,
Paul Curtis - USA/OR
MP 120 v2.0/130/2100
Michigan State Spartans - Go Green! Go White!
-----Original Message-----
From: newtontalk-bounce_at_newtontalk.net
[mailto:newtontalk-bounce_at_newtontalk.net] On Behalf Of Ed Kummel
Sent: Thursday, February 05, 2004 2:24 PM
To: newtontalk_at_newtontalk.net
Subject: Re: [NTLK] Bad guys use PCs
This "good guy", "bad guy" thing depends on your perspective!
In science and technology, there is no "good" or "evil".
I'm certain that from the "bad guy's" perspect they aren't thinking of
themselves as "bad" per-se. So, they are only "bad" from the perspective of
someone who has a differing opinion. Only some enforced sense of morality
causes individuals to perform actions that are identified as "good" to the
ruling majority.
Leaving the animal of man to his own devices, there is no "good" or
"evil"...does a dog know "good" or "evil"
if he chews up your favorite pair of shoes? Only when the ruling party
enforces their opinion...namely you the owner smacks the dog does the dog
get the impression that something it did was not appreciated...but it still
has no idea of "good" or "evil". The concept of "good" and "evil" remain in
your realm of thinking...the dog never "gets" it. It only identifies the
pattern of punnishment and reward.
As civilization causes the human animal to become more patterned, we reflect
the norms that the community dictates as long as an oppresive ruling party
doesn't enforce their opinions contrary to the societal norms.
One civilizations idea of "good" may be "evil" to another civilization...yet
they both may thrive on their own merits.
So, while PC users may be depicted as "evil", from what perspective are you
making that distinction from?
From where I stand, I'm the "good" one and everyone outside my circle of
influence is "evil"!
Ed
web/gadget guru
--- "Prof. David Schultz" <evil_genius_at_mac.com> wrote:
> I cant believe you set Ed up for a "PC's are so great" rant.
>
> DVS
> cringing
>
> On Feb 5, 2004, at 1:48 PM, Martin Joseph wrote:
> >>
> >
> > I'm only worried about Ed actually....
>
=====
In 1913, Lee De Forest was prosecuted by U.S. government officials for
claiming to potential investors that his company, RCA, would soon be able to
transmit the human voice over the Atlantic Ocean. The prosecuting officials
argued that his claim was so utterly ridiculous that he was surely ripping
off investors. He was ultimately released but not before being admonished by
the judge to stop making any more fraudulent claims.
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