I consider community subordinate to Civilization. Civilization means (to me anyway) that there should not be indifference between communities. If one chooses Community over Civilization, that in some ways discriminates against Civilization(or AKA other communities). Therefore, announcing it is a proclaimation that one does not place community over civilization. Of course, another way to look at is to proclaim that _my_ Community encompasses Civilization.
My belief that is that Brin intended for people to understand that there is no way to avoid being part of civilization anymore. He meant to bring focus to this fact. What we do does affect others, even on the other side of the world. It is a smaller world now, and we have a responsbility to understand our effect. Plus, I think he intended to promote empathy for the rest of civilization. This empathy is probably a trigger for the next step in human social development. Eventually, everyone will need to make this a mantra if we are to survive the next 50 years. Nerd From Hell > -----Original Message----- > From: Marvin Long, Jr. [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] > Sent: Sunday, May 12, 2002 3:22 PM > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: Re: IAAMOAC, Alternate Meaning > > > On Sun, 12 May 2002, Reggie Bautista wrote: > > > But with all due respect to the good Doctor, I'd like to suggest an > > alternate translation of that acronym. I always think of > IAAMOAC as I Am A > > Member Of A Community. "Civilization" makes the phrase > sound distant > > somehow, or monolithic, removed from us mere mortals. > "Community" brings it > > right to the doorstep of each one of us. It makes it more personal. > > In defense of the good Doctor, I've always read him as > wanting to express > a meaning a little more grand than just "community." > Something more akin > to, "a community with a certain set of progressive standards that > transcend mere issues of survival and aim at human improvement." The > "community" part, with its members' reciprocal obligations, > is there, but > there's more to it in that. > > It's not as personal, true, but IMO part of his point is that > we are all > part of something that transcends the personal and does so to > our benefit > more often than not. > > On the other hand, it's possible to put the signifiers of civilization > above the elements of community (i.e. the people), and then > bad things can > happen.... > > Marvin Long > Austin, Texas > > "Never flay a live Episiarch." -- Galactic Proverbs 7563:34(j) > >
