Re: virus: Re: The saga continues!

Tadeusz Niwinski (tad@teta.ai)
Tue, 16 Sep 1997 14:39:19 -0700

Tim wrote:
>On Mon, 15 Sep 1997, Tadeusz Niwinski wrote:
>
>> (1) It is creative to assume that there is more than "reality" in a sense
>> "what we currently know about reality". It is still within A=A paradigm, as
>> when new things are discovered, they become added to our "reality".
>>
>> (2) There is nothing harmful in assuming that there is something more than
>> reality, something we are not capable of knowing as long as you are
>> consistent in the assumption that we are not capable of knowing it. Period.
>> It does not seem to change anything in our lives.
>>
>> (3) The harm comes when you claim we "can't", yet "some of us", "somehow"
>> can. People seem to have a built in mechanism to long for this kind of
>> "unknowable" which can be known. God, Chosen Nation, Dictatorship of the
>> Proletariat, Nirvana, Level-3 -- are just few examples.
>
>Well said, Tad. But how can one distinguish from someone claiming new
>knowledge of a #1 unknown and a #2 unknown?

That's the main point. One can't "claim any new knowledge" without showing
how it works. Even Einstein's theories had to be confirmed by experiments.
If it's confirmed it's #1.

#2 can never be confirmed (by definition). For example: Level-3 with MS
Flip software (Level-3 can still be #1 but the "flip" component puts it in #2).

I can consider myself Level-3 (or Napoleon) -- no harm done so far. As long
as I stick to my assumption that it is "unprovable" and don't brag about it
-- it's #2. Once I start claiming that I know people in Seattle who are
Level-3, I can either go to #1: describe the phenomenon, let others repeat
it; or go to #3: say that I will not disclose their names for some bogus reason.

#3 unknown seems to be very appealing to many people. Richard, actually
describes the "mystery" meme in "Virus of the Mind" (excellent book, BTW).
Mystery is also an important component of the MAIDS virus.

Thanks for asking, Tim, it's so nice talking to you.

Regards, Tadeusz (Tad) Niwinski from planet TeTa
tad@teta.ai http://www.teta.ai (604) 985-4159