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]

There you have it, then. You learned something today. Well done.

[glaciates]

I'm sure you have plenty of other responses to get back to. This conversation was interesting if nothing else.

[HE'S NOT SURE HOW TO FEEL ABOUT IT, TBH...]

[explosivecombat]

It's unsettling for you when your targets become people, isn't it?

[glaciates]

[WHAT]

Good guess. I'd say that's a pretty common thing with most people though.

[DON'T DO THAT IT'S REALLY CREEPY]

[explosivecombat]

[aw yiss master of the cold read strikes again]

It wasn't a guess.

I'm just good at what I do.

[glaciates]

Do you really expect me to believe that?

[This is really creepy.]

[explosivecombat]

Believe what you want. But this is the other reason I make posts like this - I like to know my enemies.

They'll tell me a surprising amount about themselves in their responses, even if I don't directly ask them to.

[glaciates]

You can't read everyone. Besides, even if a few people tell you what you want to know, so what? There will always be others. Most people disagree with what you're doing, and you're doing yourself no favors with these messages.

[explosivecombat]

And that's perfectly fine by me.

As it stands, I'm still not actively doing anything. Last I checked, angering the network isn't illegal, nor is it even particularly wrong, and I've made no threats against anyone.

So there's no sense in getting up on your soapbox and insisting that I'll be stopped someday, thank you.

[glaciates]

I'm talking about your other actions. I'm sure it's just a matter of time before you try something else.

[explosivecombat]

You would consider killing me if you had the chance, wouldn't you?

Perhaps you wouldn't act on it, but you would seriously consider if it would be worth it before you remembered that it effectively wouldn't matter here.

[glaciates]

I would. If I were capable of killing you permanently, I would. I'm sure there are people who would protest at taking even one person's life, but I'm not one of them.

[explosivecombat]

Of course you would.

For reference, heroes are relieved when they find out their targets are people, because it means there's something for them to reach out to. Manipulative sorts are likewise relieved because it means they can gain leverage using their target's humanity and flaws.

Murderers are unsettled when they realize their targets are people.

[glaciates]

[DID YOU JUST

okay, no he is not falling for the very obvious bait there, he's done that once already he is not doing it again]

How helpful. I'm thrilled we had this conversation but I've got more important things to deal with.

[explosivecombat]

As do I.

You'll get your chance to kill me one day, I'm sure. We'll see if you take it then.

Until then, enjoy your evening. It's been a pleasure.

[Aaaaaaaand out.]