Re: virus: Re:Absolute Truth (was Re: Postmodernism and Truth)

Tadeusz Niwinski (niwinski@direct.ca)
Wed, 22 May 1996 15:02:11 -0700


Peter =D6kner wrote:
>I think the quest for Absolute Truth should be settled at ultimate truth,
>that is, in constant tests against others and induction,the strongest meme
>construct at the time.

Ultimate truth, Absolute Truth, absolute truth, objective truth, The Truth,
truth...
I hope we are talking about the same concept and it is not what we call it
but if it exists. It is a very enlightening discussion. I had no doubts
about the existence of TT (the truth) not long ago...

>Of course i make no claim about what conditions are like on TeTa.

You are welcome to visit TeTa any time!

>Are things really getting better or just different?

That's the question with a lot of social implications.
Is the Swedish format of a sheet of paper A4 "objectively" better
than 8 1/2 by 11 (I claim it is) or just different?
Is May 9th best described as 96-05-09, or 09-05-96, or 05-09-96 (as one
extremely arrogant nation claims)?
Is metric system better than all the others -- or they are just different?
Is English better than Esperanto -- or they are just different?

For some reason things which are "objectively" better than others -- loose.
I try to find out what causes a worse system (VHS) to win with a better
system (BETA). How long will I be able to resist Windows 95?

The answer is complex and it has more to do with the ability of memetic
engineering than the TT. Which is sad (I am emotional too). Is it just a
memetic fluctuation or a rule? What is the winning factor and how can I use
it to promote what *I* think should win? Maybe if we could spread better
memes (as Richard hopes) the world would become better? Or it is a long (I
hope *not* millions of years) process of social evolution before people will
be able to agree on "best" international standards rather than following the
most arrogant and powerful ones.

The first step is to admit that we all believe there is some "best" way
(which we are all honestly trying to find). There is no way to find "the
best" if we believe "everything is relative". In this scenario we are
doomed to follow the best memetic engineers who will manipulate the world.

I see some hope in the Internet and discussions like this.

Tad Niwinski from TeTa where people grow
3.141
There is no Absolute Truth, although we are getting closer and closer to IT.

PS. If you did not hear from me again it means I've joined the TA group
(thank you Bill for a great chuckle).