Re: virus: Four Principles Digest

Tim Rhodes (proftim@speakeasy.org)
Mon, 31 Mar 1997 10:49:58 -0800 (PST)


On Mon, 31 Mar 1997, Reed Konsler wrote:

> I'm wondering, Richard, when are you going to throw off this "prophet
> meme" (that's a pun, get it? ;-) ) which is infecting you? Or do you
> consider it an "acceptable self-deceit"?

I'm not so sure that Richard is the source of that meme. It reminds me of
Pontus Pilate asking Jesus if he was the the King of the Jews.
"Those are your words," he replied.

> I think I have to side with David: Accuracy is better than comfort in
> beliefs. A single "point-of-view" makes us susceptible to
> manipulation...but accepting as valid any "point-of-view" not based
> in reason and subject to external criticism makes us far more
> manipulable. The first time you conciously accept a lie as the truth
> you compromise your integrity. Who, then, do you expect to trust
> you? The gullible? I believe all kinds of false things, I'm sure...
> but not any I can get my hands on.

So you have no control over the lies that are at work on you because you
are unaware of them. And Richard can craft his lies to suit him because
he's the one that put them there in the first place. Which one of you
two, then, is in possession of a more accurate view of themselves, you or
Richard?

-Prof. Tim