Re: virus: Re: engagements

Lena Rotenberg (lrr@netkonnect.net)
Sat, 18 Apr 1998 14:57:25 -0400


Ken wrote,

>Sorry, I should have pointed out that I don't think "exploit" is
>necessarily a bad word, just that it has such bad connotations that people
>might not parse the "mutual" part of David's definition.

As I pointed out I see an inherent logical contradiction between the ideas
of 'mutual' and 'exploitation', independently of the connotations of either.

>Is "mutualism" really a word? If so, what does it mean?

Out of biology. The relationship between two organisms that mutually
benefit from each other and don't harm each other. Often contrasted with
'parasitism', in which the parasite benefits while harming the host.

In my mind, 'exploitation' -- of any kind -- connotes parasitism.

lena