I originally had a complicated view of Singer, partially due to the fact that I was first exposed to him while attending social work school, where the idea of killing the severely disabled wasn't all that favorable.
I do recall the video tape of an amazing round table discussion that dealt with his Rational Ethics, a book that I own but have not read yet.
I think of Singer differently now, probably because I have grown to be impressed by people who are principled or "radical" (as in - in its most basic meaning - getting to the root of things).

Turning down a juicy piece of dead cow is not for me, but I have known people who turned into vegetarians after reading Animal Liberation.

For stating his ideas WITHOUT being a RAGING, MILITANT asshole - NOT CRAP.

poolboy wrote:For stating his ideas WITHOUT being a RAGING, MILITANT asshole - NOT CRAP.

But his ideas, and since all ideas do not exist in a vacuum, they do incite RAGING MILITANT behavior.

But his ideas, and since all ideas do not exist in a vacuum, they do incite RAGING MILITANT behavior.

I am sure there are enough nutjobs out there embracing his ideas to a pathological degree, but I was solely referring to his presentation, which is worth something. Many people are able to maintain a sane position towards his ideas, and it shouldn't be his fault that others can't.

Presentation? What value does this hold? Read my post
again. I outlined why the ideas themselves are insane.

Presentation? What value does this hold?

What value does it hold? It confronts me with an idea, makes me think, but doesn't send my blood pressure off the charts. That's the value it holds for me, and I am not expecting anybody else to feel the same way.

vilna43 wrote:rocker in that case was a parroted thievery stolen from the addressed himself, as it were. Or maybe more honorably a homage to some good days and nights in chicago that lately seems very too far away and ago.
this guy


speaking of tax associated dissonance, not-the-rocker, yikes!
a check in the mail to these bastards. I feel ill.

Just in case of any misunderstanding, I want to make it clear that I wasn't mocking or anything. I really am going to start calling people - particularly those in rock bands - "rocker." I think it's great.

Poolboy- Yeah I get your point about the presentation of an idea. And I admit I only got about ten pages into Liberal Animation(not a NOFX fan) before I started to feel nauseated. My blood pressure does go off the charts when I see the results of these ideas. They are just to nihilist for my liking. Ideas may be presented well, but every idea that is set into motion will have either a productive or destructive result. That's all, I'm done with this topic.

ps. My last sentence on ideas demonstrates the binding of ideas and reality. They are not a dichotomy.

All knowledge is contextual.

And it is either useful or unuseful.