Adam Smith: Let us suppose that the great empire of China, with all its myriads of inhabitants, was suddenly swallowed up by an earthquake, and let us consider how a man of humanity in Europe, who had no sort of connection with that part of the world, would be affected upon receiving intelligence of this dreadful calamity. He would, I imagine, first of all, express very strongly his sorrow for the misfortune of that unhappy people, he would make many melancholy reflections upon the precariousness of human life, and the vanity of all the labours of man, which could thus be annihilated in a moment. He would too, perhaps, if he was a man of speculation, enter into many reasonings concerning the effects which this disaster might produce upon the commerce of Europe, and the trade and business of the world in general. And when all this fine philosophy was over, when all these humane sentiments had been once fairly expressed, he would pursue his business or his pleasure, take his repose or his diversion, with the same ease and tranquillity, as if no such accident had happened. The most frivolous disaster which could befall himself would occasion a more real disturbance. If he was to lose his little finger to-morrow, he would not sleep to-night; but, provided he never saw them, he will snore with the most profound security over the ruin of a hundred millions of his brethren, and the destruction of that immense multitude seems plainly an object less interesting to him, than this paltry misfortune of his own.
I'd imagine that your experience of your father's death would depend utterly on the sense that this death (given your appraisal of cryonics technology) was unnecessary. This surely overshadows any sadness about losing a little finger.
I'm sorry for your losing your Dad, Robin. It's pretty clear he influenced you so he had lots to be proud of on that count alone. I'm sure you'll continue to do him proud.
Hi Robin,I'm very sorry about your father's death. I hope it's at least some consolation that I'm sure it made him very happy to get to see you grow up, and he must have been very proud of all your accomplishments.Mark
What a cruel way to experience the extremes of near/far differences, but we all have to go through it at one point. In far mode we want to treat all persons equally and we will lament the death of a Chinese peasant (and we would offer our little finger to save the population of China), in near mode we will feel the loss of someone we've known as a greater loss, that is the only way we can ever mourn our loved ones while not being crushed by the unbearable burden that would be mourning every death in the world as if they were a loved one.
I offer my condolences, not to signal anything, but knowing that that too works on near mode and can relief sadness, even if it's just by a tiny bit. I guess some would say I do that because it makes me feel better to make you feel better but really what does that matter if the condolences of the people here do make you feel a little better?
As an aside, the Smith quote doesn't fully apply because the distance criterion ("but, provided he never saw them,") isn't met. In the modern world, it's possible for many people who don't know you personally to benefit from your writing and get to know an aspect of you in the process.
Smith's point about caring less with emotional distance still holds. It's just that the distance between you and your readers isn't as large as it might have been between two people in Edinburgh and Shanghai in Smith's day.
"I am Resurrection and I am Life, says the Lord.Whoever has faith in me shall have life,even though he die.And everyone who has life,and has committed himself to me in faith,shall not die for ever."
I'd imagine that your experience of your father's death would depend utterly on the sense that this death (given your appraisal of cryonics technology) was unnecessary. This surely overshadows any sadness about losing a little finger.
I am sorry for your loss.
My condolences - you and your family are in my thoughts.
I'm sorry for your losing your Dad, Robin. It's pretty clear he influenced you so he had lots to be proud of on that count alone. I'm sure you'll continue to do him proud.
:( sorry Robin
Hi Robin,I'm very sorry about your father's death. I hope it's at least some consolation that I'm sure it made him very happy to get to see you grow up, and he must have been very proud of all your accomplishments.Mark
I'm sorry for your loss. The world is permanently lessened by one more irreplaceable soul.
I am sorry for your loss, and wish you and yours the best.
I am sorry for your and your family's loss, Prof Hanson.
What a cruel way to experience the extremes of near/far differences, but we all have to go through it at one point. In far mode we want to treat all persons equally and we will lament the death of a Chinese peasant (and we would offer our little finger to save the population of China), in near mode we will feel the loss of someone we've known as a greater loss, that is the only way we can ever mourn our loved ones while not being crushed by the unbearable burden that would be mourning every death in the world as if they were a loved one.
I offer my condolences, not to signal anything, but knowing that that too works on near mode and can relief sadness, even if it's just by a tiny bit. I guess some would say I do that because it makes me feel better to make you feel better but really what does that matter if the condolences of the people here do make you feel a little better?
My condolences, Robin.
As an aside, the Smith quote doesn't fully apply because the distance criterion ("but, provided he never saw them,") isn't met. In the modern world, it's possible for many people who don't know you personally to benefit from your writing and get to know an aspect of you in the process.
Smith's point about caring less with emotional distance still holds. It's just that the distance between you and your readers isn't as large as it might have been between two people in Edinburgh and Shanghai in Smith's day.
Wow. Great article. Just highlights all the good things out there on the web I haven't read. Life is good.
"I am Resurrection and I am Life, says the Lord.Whoever has faith in me shall have life,even though he die.And everyone who has life,and has committed himself to me in faith,shall not die for ever."
Condolences
My condolences, Prof Hanson. Was he cryopreserved?
Steve Landsburg has a paper for you.