<HTML dir=ltr><HEAD><TITLE>Re: [IAEP] Books Books Books</TITLE> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=unicode"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.6000.16830" name=GENERATOR></HEAD> <BODY> <DIV id=idOWAReplyText96081 dir=ltr> <DIV dir=ltr> </DIV> <DIV dir=ltr>well, you're right, i will agree that expression in this medium is unlikely to resolve the differences...since i see that many who have subscribed to some of said books that you find so objectionable, have also done much for education, scientific and otherwise, but i think we are are bound to choose counter examples, due to our ideological filters, so i suggest we desist, at least in this forum</DIV> <DIV dir=ltr> </DIV> <DIV dir=ltr>i suspected the take no prisoners style of your argument as trolling for reaction ...and perhaps i have bitten ...but will no more</DIV> <DIV dir=ltr> </DIV></DIV> <DIV dir=ltr> <HR tabIndex=-1> From: Albert Cahalan [mailto:acahalan@gmail.com] Sent: Thu 4/30/2009 3:56 PM To: Costello, Rob R; iaep Subject: Re: [IAEP] Books Books Books </DIV> <DIV> Costello, Rob R writes: > So refreshing to have Albert trolling again - waiting > for us to rise to the bait If you really believe I'm trolling, why did you give me a win? Unfortunately for me, I had other reasons to post that email. I'm annoyed at the double standards here. If it looks like I'm trolling, then that's just an indication of how far apart we are in our beliefs. (and possibly style differences w.r.t. making clear arguments in a limited medium) > This form someone who proposed a doom version for the XO at one point I was in fact thinking about DOOM when I sent that email. The double standards really offend me; I don't actually mind the depicted violence in either DOOM or the books. (inspired real violence is another matter entirely) I'll assume that you believe that DOOM is inappropriate. Any **fair** assesment would say the books are far worse. For example, suppose I wrote my own book with similar content. You'd be horrified by my tale of murder, war, sexism, torture, genocide, sexual mutilation, slavery, revenge, rape, gambling, prostitution, and so on. If such books are OK though, then obviously the mere killing of non-humans is fine. Compare... Death depicted in DOOM: hundreds of non-humans die Death depicted in book: most of humanity purposely drowned, etc. Real death caused by DOOM: probably none Real death caused by book: millions and millions (ongoing) Plus, in case it's an education project: Anti-science message in DOOM: flawed physics model Anti-science message in book: where do I even begin... Constructing content for DOOM: encouraged Constructing content for book: often punished, sometimes with death I wish I could suggest alternate books, but sadly all the good ones are still protected by copyright. ("The Ancestor's Tale" for example) The things that bug me most: double standards, ongoing REAL death, and the anti-science (anti-education) message. </DIV>Important - This email and any attachments may be confidential. If received in error, please contact us and delete all copies. Before opening or using attachments check them for viruses and defects. Regardless of any loss, damage or consequence, whether caused by the negligence of the sender or not, resulting directly or indirectly from the use of any attached files our liability is limited to resupplying any affected attachments. Any representations or opinions expressed are those of the individual sender, and not necessarily those of the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. </BODY></HTML>