RE: virus: Logic

Ken Kittlitz (ken@kumo.com)
Fri, 24 Oct 1997 11:19:47 +0000


At 04:01 PM 10/20/97 -0700, you wrote:
>I agree wholeheartedly with the above except for the idea that "these
>regularities have a big effect on us." I think you'd be hard-pressed to
>show how understanding most parts of the universe has a positive effect on
>most people's everyday life.

As David M. pointed out in another thread, we could enumerate antectodal
examples for and against without really accomplishing anything.
Nevertheless, I can't resist noting that a major theme in both your books
seems (to me) to be that understanding what motivates us and other people
is conducive to living successfully; I would agree with this, and argue
that such understanding certainly falls into the category of understanding
part of the universe.

>Other belief systems, such as religious and patriotic fervor, seem to get
>quite a bit accomplished as well.

No argument there. Both are very successful meme complex that do confer
advantages to their hosts (a sense of place/belonging, inspiration,
purpose, etc.). OTOH, both have been known to encourage their hosts to go
out and kill "the enemy", which might not be a disadvantage except that
"the enemy" often has the unfortunate habit of trying to kill back. On the
bright side, I guess you could see being dead as a way of vastly
simplifying your core needs ;->
------
Ken Kittlitz ken@kumo.com
Kumo Software Corp. http://www.kumo.com