Chad writes: << 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 >> I like pork fried rice.
