On Thu, 3 Jun 1999, eric + michiko wrote:
>
> 1) Are you saying that we should just do what we choose to do and let
> others do the same, without any intentional influence on others?
Every action we consciously or unconsciously do or do not do influences
someone or something.
>
> 2) If you agree with #1, do you feel it is enough to bring about a society
> that can live in harmony with Nature?
There is no dichotomy between society and nature.
>
> 3) Are you saying we can ONLY do #1, as opposed to "should"? And, if so,
> do you feel it will be enough?
This question can only be answered if your respondent agrees with
your question one. It is a common verbal fuzziness to use the word "feel"
instead of the more appropriate word "think".
It does not matter what I think is enough or not. It does not matter what
anyone thinks is enough or not.
>
> 4) Do you think it is possible to intentionally influence people without
> "forcing" ideas on them?
Intent is a form of force. At it's most benign one can present ideas in a
medium that people can choose to pick up or not.
>
> 5) Do you think it is best to restrict our "influencing" to the processes
> of change, rather than specific ideas?
There is no dichotomy between processes of change and ideas.
>
> 6) If you agree with #5, how then do you feel about books which tend to be
> more about specific ideas?
I _think_ most books are not worth the paper they are printed on. I love
to read books.
>
> 7) Am I still missing something and way off base?
Only you know the answer to that.
>
> If you ARE saying this, then I am not sure if you think this because you
> believe everyone will naturally move toward harmony with Nature, or believe
> it isn't important that we move toward harmony with Nature, or believe the
> future to be so unpredictable that we shouldn't worry about what it will be
> like.
It doesn't matter what I think or believe.
>
> You wrote:" We learn, we adjust, we accept feedback, we let others do the
> same." Do you feel we can/ can not / should / should not / must / must not
> "help" others do the same?
Think about your word "help". What is it a euphamism for?
>
> I'll drop this thread after I hear your responses.
How do you know ahead of time that you won't find something you want to
respond to, or that someone else may not find something they wan't to
respond to?
> I'm sure it time to
> move on to other things.
If it is then that's what will happen, whether you announce it or not.
sph
Sandra P. Hoffman [EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.flora.org/sandra/
----------------------------
The one small garden of a free gardener was all his need and due,
not a garden swollen to a realm;
his own hands to use,
not the hands of others to command. --Sam Gamgee
