Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Re: [Yasmin_discussions] art and science: re-drawing boundaries

Dear all

I whole heartedly agree with Simon's approach. The implications and treasures of nature itself have
not fully been explored that the introduction of synthetic biology almost seems futile. It is especially problematic
in a continent such as Africa where modern resources are often absent, like water and electricity.

As an artist I can say that I can't replace the multitude of sense perceptions I receive from natural
substances with those of synthetic forms. To name one example, how does one smell plastic?

The evolution of the human soul is thus going to be very conflicting, instead of unity there will be
clusters or patches of non integrated living organisms. In other words chaos.

Best,


Arlene Rabinowitz
South Africa

T: 0027 015 793 1718
E: yalinart@gmail.com

http://www.arlenerabinowitz.org
http://www.arlene-rabinowitz.artistwebsites.com
http://www.visualmusic.ning.com/profile/ArleneRabinowitz

> Date: Sun, 8 May 2011 22:49:44 +0100
> From: simon@littlepig.org.uk
> To: yasmin_discussions@estia.media.uoa.gr
> Subject: Re: [Yasmin_discussions] art and science: re-drawing boundaries
>
> And perhaps the distinction between evolution and human meddling is the
> issue?
>
> I am not a person of faith but I do trust that nature will, by one means or
> another, tend to keep things on some sort of even keel. Humans, with our
> terribly limited apprehension of the implications of our actions and our
> tendency to hubris, are not trustworthy. On a certain level I hope that
> nature will even the keel, in this instance, by taking humans out of the
> evolutionary tree (we are too dangerous, to one another and to the planet,
> to survive).
>
> I support those who trash GM fields. I also support those who are doing
> cutting edge research that raises fundamental questions about life and who
> we are. But I want to know the food I eat is organically grown by
> sustainable means by people who have a sustainable life based on a lifestyle
> of their choice. I do not want industry dictating who grows what and where
> and I do not trust any branch of government or industry to make appropriate
> decisions.
>
> I am not sure how to square this circle? In fact, I doubt it can be squared
> - and until that time we should not be taking some of the risks we are.
>
> It isn't dissimilar to the nuclear debate. I support nuclear research as
> this may be a route by which we might understand some of the fundamentals of
> the physical universe. However, I also believe that all civil and military
> exploitation of nuclear technology should cease until we resolve a range of
> issues: such as making it sustainable (eg: does not use a limited resource),
> non-polluting and non-militarised. So far as I can see nuclear energy can
> never fulfil these requirements.
>
> That humans and our planet are such a small detail in the universe is a
> reassurance. Nothing we can do will amount to much. However, I do feel sorry
> for all the life forms on this planet who cannot participate in a debate
> about these issues. And I take it as a personal affront that misguided
> researchers funded by Monsanto can determine how I live.
>
> This is the debate we should be having.
>
> Best
>
> Simon
>
>
> On 08/05/2011 20:53, "roger malina" <rmalina@alum.mit.edu> wrote:
>
> > annick= you are quite right to correct me- that the ventner work doesnt breach
> > the living/non living boundary= but rather introduces the possibility
> > of new life
> > forms on earth that are not a result of darwinian evolution= and so its
> > the darwinian earth life vs new life forms that are non darwinian
>
>
> Simon Biggs
> simon@littlepig.org.uk
> http://www.littlepig.org.uk/
>
> s.biggs@eca.ac.uk
> http://www.elmcip.net/
> http://www.eca.ac.uk/circle/
>
>
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