Re: virus: Re: engagements

David McFadzean (david@lucifer.com)
Sat, 18 Apr 1998 13:33:15 -0600


At 07:12 PM 4/17/98 -0700, Tim Rhodes wrote:
>Webster's Encyclopedic Dictonary:
>
>*exploitation*, (noun) Utilization; the successful application of industry
>on any object, as in the cultivation of land, the working of mines, etc.;
>now, esp., selfish or unfair utilization.

Interesting that you would post a definition that is perfectly consistent
with my intended usage. Notice is says "esp." (not "always") and "selfish
or unfair" (not "selfish and unfair"). When I said that love is consensual
mutual exploitation I meant to connote a selfish aspect (not nasty-selfish,
but enlightened self-interest selfish), and I hope it is obvious that
"consensual mutual" means that it is not at all unfair.

Ken brings up a couple good points. I did assume that the feelings are
shared by both parties. Is unrequited love the same sort of love?
Certainly there are many kinds: "I love my family", "she loves her dog",
"he loves his shoes", "they love to surf".

Also, my characterization could equally apply to friends, and now that
I think about it, to employers/employees as well. I still think my
statement is true, but I won't pretend to say that it describes more
than one aspect of that which we call love.

--
David McFadzean                 david@lucifer.com
Memetic Engineer                http://www.lucifer.com/~david/
Church of Virus                 http://www.lucifer.com/virus/