In a message dated 2/5/2005 12:50:34 PM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
> So, this tendency to hold onto "known truths" no matter how they are called > into question by evidence is seen in many forms, not just religious or > political. There are many times when the first criterion for accepting > evidence is whether or not it supports what one "already knows I have here all along but lurking. The social security arguements leave me cold (Bush's plan leaves me colder). I think the thing is that socieites that make "faith based" rather than "fact based" decisions are most often in decline. They are old established societies whose members believe that their success is due to the fact that they are instrinsically superior to other groups. (Obviously the Soviet Union is an exception to this generalization). I am looking forward to reading Jarod Diamond's Collapse to see what he has to say on this matter. _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
