explosivecombat: (And what have we here?)
Solf J Kimblee ([personal profile] explosivecombat) wrote2014-10-20 03:32 pm

037. [Text]

I come seeking discussion again today, which to most of you should probably be nothing new; if anything, I ought to apologize for it, but I suspect that will ring about as true as my usual apologies for the subject matter. For what it's worth, the subject is better than it usually is; take that as you will.

I'd like to discuss dreams today; I'm sure those that were here about a year ago know exactly why, but in the end that is neither here nor there, and you don't have to have experienced it to discuss this with me.

I'm sure we're all no strangers to very vivid dreams...? The sort that immerse you so entirely that they almost seem real...surely there are a few qualities here and there that mark them as dreams, but they're disregarded in favor of whatever is actually happening right in front of you. Dreams like that can hardly be said to be different from reality, can they? They invoke feelings within you; they encourage you to continue thinking about them long after you've awakened. You could even say that dreams like that have given you experiences that you might never have had, were you awake – you've gone on adventures and met people and done things that affected you, all while physically being asleep.

Say that there was a way to live like that forever.

Suppose that there's a machine that will put you under, rendering you solidly asleep and allowing you to experience whatever you want. The machine can simulate any pleasurable experience that you choose, instilling all the thoughts and feelings that would come with actually going out and doing those things for yourself in your waking life. There would be no pain or suffering; it would be an experience in pure bliss for as long as you were plugged into the machine.

Again, you could stay that way forever, if you so chose, living out the rest of your life in dreams, and it would be a pleasant experience that's custom-tailored to you. The only tradeoff is that you would be unconscious the entire time; the experience would be entirely in your mind, rather than anything you actually did.

Would you choose to go under and live the rest of your life happy but effectively comatose, or would you prefer to experience life for yourself, entirely awake, with all the imperfections and strife that may come with it?

You can answer me anonymously if you wish, because as usual, your identity doesn't interest me as much as your response does; if you really want to impress me, you'll tell me why you would answer as you did.
doitrockapella: (PIN ❖ the better to burst your bubble)

[personal profile] doitrockapella 2014-10-21 12:22 am (UTC)(link)
It's something about the way you started out, actually, with the description of dreaming — going on adventures, meeting wondrous people, that sort of thing.

It reminded me of the way I felt about reading books, growing up. Going on adventures through the pages of a novel, while physically never leaving my window seat.
ossifragant: (Φ the drinking never stops because)

[personal profile] ossifragant 2014-10-21 12:29 am (UTC)(link)
You have a point.

In that case, it might be entertaining for him or her. At least for a while. Maybe in cases like that a person wouldn't get bored but I still have my doubts.

As for you, I can't imagine you'd actually go through with it, at least not in the long run. What's the fun in having all your dreams handed to you without the work? A world built entirely on one's own pleasures would become predictable and boring after a while.

Being able to control every aspect of a world is a bit different than taking one's own destiny into their own hands while going up against a world that can't ever be predicted entirely.A world you can control completely would run counter to the idea of wanting to see the direction humanity takes.

If I'm wrong, feel free to tell me.
glaciates: (... ❅ maybe i shouldn't freeze the city)

[personal profile] glaciates 2014-10-21 12:33 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah, I would have.

[He believes that he had everyone's best interests at heart back home and while he didn't go about it in the right way, he was doing the best thing. Still, that isn't something he wants to bring up right now, so he'll let it slide.]

I guess I've changed here.
fauxtographs: (� um...)

[personal profile] fauxtographs 2014-10-21 12:36 am (UTC)(link)
[That's a horribly creepy example, Mr Kimblee.....]

Well, no, but it would certainly remind me not to take it for granted! But then again, I have no intention of breaking my legs any time soon.

I suppose it's just...for me, I've always found that you can only get stronger through adversity, whether it's something as simple as lifting heavy weights, or a troubling emotional experience. I enjoy bettering myself, so being in a state where I'm already perfect...

...but that's what you're saying, isn't it? I'm describing things that I enjoy, and that is what the machine would give me...it would give me that adversity, because that's what I want!

Wow, this is a far bigger puzzle than I first thought, Mr Kimblee! I had no idea you were so good at this sort of thing!
doitrockapella: (DEADPAN ❖ would you like a hint)

[personal profile] doitrockapella 2014-10-21 12:39 am (UTC)(link)
None of "the kind of dreams worth telling someone else about", then?
glaciates: (EXPLAIN ❅ i can't believe this shit)

[personal profile] glaciates 2014-10-21 12:41 am (UTC)(link)
It might not be, but it's still really weird to think about.
cobraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa: (ALL HAIL EMPEROR COBRA COMMANDER)

[personal profile] cobraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa 2014-10-21 12:42 am (UTC)(link)
[No, he's not sick, just bored with Pokemon training.

Oh wait, he's also sick of the earthquakes, but that probably doesn't count.]


The fact that if I chose to subject myself to this machine that I would always know in the back of my mind that no matter how real it may seem, that it's not.

Even if I were to become emperor of the universe in this world, the fact that I would know I wasn't truly such a thing is what renders it completely meaningless. And I have no use for such escapist fantasy.
fauxtographs: (� huh...)

[personal profile] fauxtographs 2014-10-21 12:48 am (UTC)(link)
[...HOW ABOUT WE JUST MOVE AWAY FROM THE LEG-BREAKING]

Well, what are your thoughts on the puzzle, then? Would you want to be strapped up to that machine?
glaciates: (SURPRISE ❅ that's not how alchemy works)

[personal profile] glaciates 2014-10-21 12:49 am (UTC)(link)
Oh yeah, I guess that's a good point. I'd hate to think what things would be like if nothing had changed.
doitrockapella: (BOW ❖ holy shit was that an honorific)

[personal profile] doitrockapella 2014-10-21 12:51 am (UTC)(link)
It's been almost a year since I first saw what your alchemy looks like, hasn't it?

I'm assuming that plays a large part in those dreams.
glaciates: (EXCITED ❅ gonna ride a glacier brb)

[personal profile] glaciates 2014-10-21 12:53 am (UTC)(link)
[He can practically see that expression...]

Alright. I hope you get some interesting answers to keep you busy.
fauxtographs: (� incorrect)

[personal profile] fauxtographs 2014-10-21 12:56 am (UTC)(link)
...hmm.

...you know, I'm tempted to say that you wouldn't choose to. Perhaps I'm projecting, but you don't seem the sort. To let someone else have full control of your fate like that, I mean.

Am I on the right track?
cobraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa: (AND THEN WE SSSSTRIKE!)

[personal profile] cobraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa 2014-10-21 12:56 am (UTC)(link)
Yes, that's exactly it.

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