Hi Platt, 2009/3/23 Platt Holden <[email protected]>
No, I haven't read it, but I have questions about Darwinian evolution, not > a dismissal of "all that stuff.". It would be nice to know which of Darwin's ideas you accept if any. > For instance, there's Pirsig's question, > "Why survive?" This is a great question. I have often thought that everyone takes it as a given that people should be kind to each other etc. and that we all should go 'onward and upward' even 'forward and up' as they direct in the Alexander Technique. One answer is that its more painful to do otherwise. If we dont go to get something to eat then we suffer hunger - that is just the way things are, like the physical world out there - those objects will hurt you if you walk into them! The continual mass hypnosis from the social machine to improve the quality of life in our great nation etc., to improve welfare and grow as a nation. Why? We are a blip on the cosmic clock. We talk about the sanctity of life but we only really mean human life - the other animals are as pets or zoo curiosities in the great parks. This parallel universe ends when i die, in the meantime i try to enjoy all i can and help those close to me because that gives meaning to my life. > Also, how and why did evolution get started in the first > place? Whether you are an ID creationist or an evolutionist, the fact is life DID get started. It would be great to know how, but personally i see no evidence for a conscious creator, on the other hand i do see evidence of evolution all around - from crufts dog show to pigeon fanciers, from nematodes to Neanderthals. Also, what is the true nature of "chance" that Darwin claims has a > creative role in evolution other than the limits of our understanding? As i replied earlier i dont know that Darwin attributed evolution to chance but anyway: you dont question that there is hazard in life? Perfection exists only in imagination. When DNA replicates it does so with high fidelity but not without slight errors. These variations mean that the vehicle that arises with that DNA may have, for example, a longer neck than its relative and so may have an advantage over others - it will then pass on those variations to its young - but you know all this! Evolution is not based on chance. Poker is a game is chance but some people can still win consistently through their selective approach. Also, how does Darwin explain the survival advantage of the human response > to beauty? Again, i dont know that Darwin tried to explain that, but that beauty has a role in evolution is obvious when i see an attractive woman! > Etc. If Ridley's book answers these and other questions, please > let me know. I'll get a copy. In the meantime, the interview I recommend > is based on a book Ridley is currently working on about the rise and fall > of civilizations. Given that Western civilization is on a downward spiral, > Ridley may have some ideas on how to slow our slouching to Gomorrah. I'll have a read of that article now. -KO Moq_Discuss mailing list Listinfo, Unsubscribing etc. http://lists.moqtalk.org/listinfo.cgi/moq_discuss-moqtalk.org Archives: http://lists.moqtalk.org/pipermail/moq_discuss-moqtalk.org/ http://moq.org.uk/pipermail/moq_discuss_archive/
