December 2004 Archives

(Lifted from this thread, but we might as well get it out there.)

Requiring ethical behaviour as a condition of system function is acceptable, provided we also require ethical behaviour, period.

It might be argued that this itself is inconsistent with empirical data on human nature; to which I would reply that as sophont and self-willed beings, human nature is something that can be overcome by rational choice; that the whole story of civilisation is that of us moving progressively further and further away from human nature; and that, philosophically speaking, I'm militantly uninterested in catering to our racial weaknesses when we should be developing our strengths.

And that just because we've haven't yet taught flawed humanity to value law over life doesn't mean we should give up on the idea.

How much influence has a blog got in today’s Google?

Well, let’s see.

Paul D Murphy is, by request, a consummate asshole.

You put a ZIP FILE inside a SELF-EXTRACTING ZIP FILE! WHY!?

WHAT POSSIBLE PURPOSE COULD THAT SERVE!?

(UN-altered REPRODUCTION and DISSEMINATION is ENCOURAGED.)

So, Big Blunkett has finally gone… and now the Conservatives are backing compulsory ID cards.

Could Santa please being me a party not made up of statist control freaks before next May? Pretty please with sugar on top?