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Stephen Downes

Knowledge, Learning, Community

I think there's a danger in speculating about biomechanical motives for actions. Such is the case here. Here, Mark William Johnson is responding to Michael Foot, who responds, "we are here to provide for all those who are weaker and hungrier, more battered and crippled than ourselves." Johnson, referencing epigenetics, suggests, "The uncomfortable fact may be that without the cruelty and selfishness, there can be no progress." That would be sad if true. But I am convinced that reality is rather more complex and subtle, at least to the extent that we can at least imagine doing away with cruelty, if not also selfishness.

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Stephen Downes Stephen Downes, Casselman, Canada
stephen@downes.ca

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Last Updated: Nov 21, 2024 11:03 a.m.

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