================================================ Subject: Re: NCR: "Perfect being" From: "fmn" To: Date: Tue 4 Sep 2001 18:40:09 -0700 ================================================ Hey Jim, hehe.. *laughing about what you said about Scott* Yes, the things you said about drugs promoting emotional numbness might very well be true. This idea is in a way also linked to Brave New World's conceptions of "happiness at all cost" - even if you have to sacrifice your deep and true feelings for it. What they did in "Brave New World" was to take a drug called "soma". This drug evoked a certain state of happiness, but it was more of an illusion, so what you did was escaping reality instead of facing it. Anyway, while I was reading through "Brave New World", I've stumbled upon this quotation: "You can't make tragedies (as in dramas) without social instability." I guess, this comes close to what you said. Plus, check this out: "Man excels the angels in his power of learning, for his very imperfection calls forth that power, while the angels as perfect beings have already acquired all the knowledge they are capable of holding." What do you say to that? I found it in a background text on Shakespeare's time called "The Elizabethan world picture". I mean, it's like the same or at least similar principle, isn't it? Ignorance is actually considered as something negative, but if it becomes this force which propels you to get to know things then it's another story. and thanks for presenting your opinion on how you see the whole "international relations" business... well, I don't know if I'll get to such a high rang as to be making decisions of great importance to the world but I find it an interesting and challenging experience anyhow.. + it's creative I speak and write four languages: Polish, English, German and French - if you think that's something, then consider this: my sis knows all of those languages + Spanish... neat, huh? pozdrawiam, Ewa To unsubscribe or change your preferences for the Creed-Discuss list, visit: http://www.winduplist.com/ls/discuss/form.asp