NetNews Usenet Archive 1992 #19/NN_1992_19.iso/spool/alt/support/1265

Internet Message Format | 1992-08-26 | 3.4 KB

Path: sparky!uunet!dtix!darwin.sura.net!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!cs.utexas.edu!torn!cunews!revcan!software.mitel.com!murphyg!murphyg
From: [e-mail] (Gary Murphy)
Newsgroups: alt.support
Subject: lives and works (was Re: life and work)
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Date: 25 Aug 92 19:31:11 GMT
References: <[e-mail]>
    <[e-mail]>
    <wh+n-=[e-mail]>
Sender: [e-mail]
Organization: Applications Software II, MITEL Corporation, Kanata, Ontario,
    Canada
Lines: 52
In-reply-to: [e-mail]'s message of 22 Aug 92 09:16:49 GMT

Thank you, David, for bringing up these points on the dollar-value
expenditures, and here again I will highly recommend both the reading of
works on the subject by America's Friendly Genius (Richard Buckminster
Fuller) and request your active involvement in the works that have
sprung from his --- a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single
step, and we get no closer until that step is taken.

In article <wh+n-=[e-mail]> [e-mail] (David Oertel) writes:

   I think that your posting misses the original point because very few people
   labor to meet basic human needs.

Just an aside, the posting you refer to here was concerned over what
that poster could do and concerned that their own labour lacked meaning
because they were not the grand all-problem-solving plans the poster had
imagined they must be.  I think his position is a lot healthier than
thinking their plan is the one and only to save the world (like mine
;-)), but I think the basic problem being expressed was personal and not
just a comment on society (why else post to alt.support?)

   For example, our greatest export by dollar
   value is still advanced weapon systems.

Bucky, and especially the WorldGame Institute have been keeping track
far longer and far more dilligently than I have.  Here is what they
conclude: ONE QUARTER OF THE WORLD'S TOTAL MILITARY EXPENDITURES WOULD
GIVE ALL HUMANITY A HIGHER STANDARD OF LIVING THAN ENJOYED BY TODAY'S
MILLIONAIRES.  As usual, the problem is not our technology or
understanding the problem.  The problem is political and anyone who
thinks politics now or has ever addressed the needs of the people
deserves a lolly-pop.  This is not a new situation.

   There seems to be an inertia effect that
   keeps society from figuring out that it's no longer necessary, and that
   it's time for us pursue our own interests.  If someone can figure out how
   to steer society in this more reasonable direction, maybe they can spread
   the word that information workers no longer need to make this ridiculous
   effort to assemble in one geographical location every day like manufacturing
   workers had to.

Read "Grunch of Giants" if you want to know how this was attempted, and
how it must fail.  Bucky, in his typically meticulous style, had already
worked out the solutions to fine details, and then sat patiently waiting
for everyone to see the obvious.  The key is not in knowing the stats.
The key is in what you are going to do about it _today_.  You've done
your bit by bringing up the subject.  I've done a bit by relaying to all
who read this a reference where a solution is proposed.  Now ... what
shall we do next?

--
Gary Lawrence Murphy - [e-mail] - [phone] x3709
 Real generosity toward the future lies in giving all to the present.