Eugenics

[dragonystic]

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The idea that I would forget how to take derivatives if everyone else became smart - that's absurd.

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way to dive head first through that strawman. im done in this thread. GO EUGENICS!

[vhawk01]

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The idea that I would forget how to take derivatives if everyone else became smart - that's absurd.

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way to dive head first through that strawman. im done in this thread. GO EUGENICS!

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Maybe you missed his point. Everyone would be better off. We have castes right now, we would probably have castes in this future scenario as well, but the lowest caste would be far better off than the lowest caste now.

[StayHungry]

vhawk - You're still way too knee jerk and presumptuous about what you think would be "better" for everyone. You seriously don't seem to understand the IMPLICATIONS of this kind of thing, go look that word up.

[StayHungry]

I don't think I can continue in this thread, opinion seems to be divided between the people who want regulation of the species and those who are paranoid about the implications of such a regigm.

[vhawk01]

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I don't think I can continue in this thread, opinion seems to be divided between the people who want regulation of the species and those who are paranoid about the implications of such a regigm.

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So are you saying to outlaw it?

[vhawk01]

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vhawk - You're still way too knee jerk and presumptuous about what you think would be "better" for everyone. You seriously don't seem to understand the IMPLICATIONS of this kind of thing, go look that word up.

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LOL, wtf are you talking about? My entire plan for eugenics centers around letting people choose what they want for themselves, and you tell me that I'm being paternalistic?

Whereas your plan seems to be denying eugenics to everyone because you know whats best for them and the implications are too dangerous.

Bear in mind my earlier clarified personal usage of eugenics.

[StayHungry]

Yeh sorry, I wasn't completely up on what you were saying. I was just focused on your use of the word "better" in your last post, and the points Dragon was making.

You're still implying some kind of improvement will take place, when it will only create a shift in who is considered inferior. It will create a more discerning elitism. You seem to think all the new super humans will want to help everyone and carry everyone into paradise. Your argument rests on whether this will take place.

[PLOlover]

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Yeh sorry, I wasn't completely up on what you were saying. I was just focused on your use of the word "better" in your last post, and the points Dragon was making.

You're still implying some kind of improvement will take place, when it will only create a shift in who is considered inferior. It will create a more discerning elitism. You seem to think all the new super humans will want to help everyone and carry everyone into paradise. Your argument rests on whether this will take place.

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the main thing is assuming eugenics really will work, when all the historical data suggests otherwise.

now genetic engineering, that's can definitely "work" with all its accompanying problems/consequences.

[dragonystic]

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My entire plan for eugenics centers around letting people choose what they want for themselves

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you might want to look up the definition of the word eugenics. because what you propose is not even close. by definition, it involves entire populations and is certainly not voluntary.

your scenario rocks though. hope it happens someday.

[madnak]

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you might want to look up the definition of the word eugenics. because what you propose is not even close. by definition, it involves entire populations and is certainly not voluntary.

your scenario rocks though. hope it happens someday.

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I don't think anyone is arguing for eugenics in the classic sense.

But I think people overestimate the impact of relative status in society. Let's say that I'm the best person in the world at a certain task, but then I become the worst person in the world at that task. Did I get any worse at the task? No. In fact (and here's the important thing) I'm still excellent at the task. I still do a great job at the task. But now everyone else does an almost-perfect job.

For this reason, I don't think the "dumbest person" in a genius society can be likened to the "dumbest person" today. In particular, even the dumbest person in a genius society will be able to perform all the necessary functions of life, to make reasonable decisions, to manage resources, and to communicate effectively. Such a person might never end up in a leadership role (because everyone else has even better leadership abilities!), but they will be independent agents in society.

And they'll have a fine quality of life. Will they be poor by our standards? Damn right. But they'll have a spacious space-flat with perfect climate control and a great view on the window display panels, they'll have all the Nutri-Pellets they can handle, they'll have the holonet and all 7*10^14 channels of VirtuaPr0n.

And personally? I think they'll be less alienated. I think they'll be more caring. I think they'll have lots of kinky atheist sex. But even if not, chances are everyone will have a safe warm place to sleep, plenty of food, and the freedom to say and think what they please.

If eugenics were the only way to achieve that... Would it be so wrong?