> I think vulnerability to rainfall and moisture shifts is a real issue, > and is a component of vulnerability to fresh water supplies in > general. I think the sensible approach to this question is a global > one, especially from what you (James) are calling the > extopian/extropian point of view. Etymology please?
Michael, Sorry if I have confused you by mis-spelling this new word that I have just learnt :-( It is 'extropian' which a Google search will confirm. I think it is derived from 'extrovert', and it seems to be a branch of (another new term for me) 'transhumanism' (see Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transhumanism What is interesting for me is that I am not the only one to desribe it as dangerous. Wikipedia says that "Transhumanism has been described by a proponent as the "movement that epitomizes the most daring, courageous, imaginative, and idealistic aspirations of humanity,"[2] while according to a prominent critic, it is THE WORLD'S MOST DANGEROUS IDEA.[3] [My emphasis]" References 1.. Bostrom, Nick (2005). "A history of transhumanist thought". Retrieved on 2006-02-21. 2.. Bailey, Ronald (2004). "Transhumanism: the most dangerous idea?". URL accessed on February 20, 2006 3.. Fukuyama, Francis (2004). "The world's most dangerous ideas: transhumanism". Retrieved on 2006-05-01. Cheers, Alastair. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Global Change ("globalchange") newsgroup. Global Change is a public, moderated venue for discussion of science, technology, economics and policy dimensions of global environmental change. Posts will be admitted to the list if and only if any moderator finds the submission to be constructive and/or interesting, on topic, and not gratuitously rude. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/globalchange -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
