Change and progress

[Joe Laferriere]

> > > From:    "James H. Beach" <jbeach at NSF.GOV>
> > >
> > >   Technology will change more quickly every year from now until
> > > eternity.  It will never congeal.  We'll never catch up.

>> From Joe Laferriere
> >
> > ...  A brief perusal of human history will show you that
> > nothing is inevitable, that progress can take unexpected directions,
>
> From Peter Rauch

> Did Jim say "progress" or "change"?

Answer from Joe:

He said "change," and I should have used the same word in my own message.
My whole point is that change is inevitable, but progress is not. The
underlying assumptions behind all the proposals I've seen is either that
everything will stay the same as it is now or that it will continue to
make the kind of progress we have seen over the last few decades. The
former is impossible, the latter possible but not inevitable.

> from Peter:

> As far as I'm concerned, eternity ends when I die. The mileage might
> vary for others.
>
answer from Joe yet again:

Perhaps for you, eternity ends at your death. As for me, I prefer to give
consideration to those who will follow after I am gone. I would prefer
that they not curse me for having made problems for them.