[lbo-talk] Weber's polar night

[Gar Lipow]

> On one level, this was unimportant, just a (then) somewhat obscure science
> fiction film that melted cyberpunk (a word that so quickly moved in and out of
> common use...which seems fitting) ideas on top of P.K. Dick strangeness.  But
> there was another level -- a new idea (new to me at least) was being visually
> presented: technical progress, and the accumulation of knowledge doesn't
> inexorably lead to utopia but only a modification of current imperfections.  This
> seems trivial and self-evident to sophisticates: of course, we say, of course.
> But it overturns deeply held beliefs -- ideas that surround us like the air we
> breathe and rarely detect.

 I have no illisuion that technical progress and accumulation of
knowledge have to lead to improvement. (I don't believe in utopia at
all as an obtainable or even a desirable goal.)  But I strongly 
believe that technical progress and the accumulation of knowledge make
a better life  possible  - if we can win a society that chooses to use
them that way.  Does that classify me as a modernist?
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