035. [ANON TEXT]

[explosivecombat]

[Well, good evening, network - it seems Seth's device is active again, though at the very least he's not inviting everyone to war like he's throwing the world's most unasked-for party this time around.]

You know, one of the things I've always found most fascinating about human morality is the idea that we're higher beings due to our natural inclination to put others before ourselves. It's generally accepted in society that we should be willing to sacrifice ourselves before harming another; I've always found adhering to that sort of notion to both vaguely admirable and sickeningly saccharine. If you must kill one to save another, that's still a life that's lost; why shouldn't the reward go to the one who's willing to fight for it, rather than the one who did nothing to earn it but sit there in pious devotion to doing nothing wrong?

We claim superiority for suppressing our instincts to survive; if anything, I think that would put us lower than dogs, not above them. All this intelligence and no will to live; it's pitiful.

But then, I suppose my lack of understanding of these things is why I can't be considered one of you.

For the time being, however, say I were to humor you in discussion for a while. Do you think your will to fight to ensure your survival actually needs to be tested? Since I suspect the answer will overwhelmingly be "No," I have another pre-emptive question for the heroic types.

Is there anything outside of arrogance and so-called moral superiority that makes you say so?

[...O...kay that's really not any better but apparently, it's just that kind of night.

You know, full of misanthropy.

Because some nights are like that.]

Comments

[explosivecombat]

I'm never opposed to answering questions, you know. You can ask me all you want; I'm not interested in playing with a stacked deck.

However, to answer the current one - it depends on the situation. Personally speaking, it's interesting.

Professionally speaking, back home I enjoyed it because it was part of my job. I take pleasure in carrying out my work as efficiently as possible.

[berkthorn]

That's good to know.

And if it had been your job to use your words to try to create peace? Do you think you still would have enjoyed doing that kind of work?

[explosivecombat]

Considering I deliberately sought out a job where I would be asked to do the opposite, probably not.

[berkthorn]

So it's not necessarily your own efficiency that you like.

[explosivecombat]

The efficiency is part of it; I doubt I would enjoy what I do so much if I were bad at it. The efficiency brings an element of challenge to it, and there's personal satisfaction in carrying out my work to the best of my ability.

I just happen to know what I'm good at, and on a personal level this sort of thing interests me. I'm going to cultivate my skills in areas that interest me, as it's only natural to do so.

[berkthorn]

Haven't you ever wondered if you could get just as good at the opposite, though? Talk about a real challenge.

[explosivecombat]

Perhaps I might have been.

That isn't what my employers needed me for, however, and they were never the forgiving sort.

[berkthorn]

You're not working for them here, though. I can't really tell you to stop, especially when this fascinates you, but I'd like to request that you consider a less...cruel approach? Fishing for angry responses has a different result than asking questions normally, so it would give you more reactions to see anyway.

[explosivecombat]

You can request all you want.

Just be aware that I have my own reasons for acting as I do.

[berkthorn]

Right. I did say our experiences shape us. It would be wrong to ignore that point now.

One more question before I go, then. Which is it: not feeling human, or being told that you can't be human?

[explosivecombat]

Neither.

My right to be considered a member of the species was revoked years ago.

[berkthorn]

I see.

Thanks anyway, I guess.

[He's 98% certain he accomplished nothing, but at least it had been...civil...]