037. [Text]

[explosivecombat]

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.

Comments

[text]

[explosivecombat]

And that's a perfectly valid way of looking at things. May I ask what gives you the impression that the opposing viewpoint isn't valid?

If the feelings in the dream are real, it would effectively be the same as living through those experiences, wouldn't it?

[text]

[solas_ion]

I'm not gonna argue that the feelings and experiences aren't real. I'd be wrong if I tried to say as much.

[No...those had been real. He was certain of that without any doubt.]

But a perfect dream without pain or suffering--I think there's a word for that kind of thing, but I can't remember what it is--it just isn't right to me. Pain, anguish, loss, all that kind of thing? That's what makes the better parts of life worth living through.

It ain't the same as living if you don't have that to balance it out.

[explosivecombat]

There are those who would argue that certain lives are so full of misery and suffering that existing that way isn't really living, either. Not the way that a human being deserves to, at any rate; their existence is truly wretched, and there doesn't seem to be much reprieve from it, if any.

Should they continue to live out their suffering as well, because it "isn't worth living" otherwise, or are they an exception?

[solas_ion]

You asked like you wanted my perspective on it. If somebody else thinks different, fine. That's their choice to make, none of my business.

[Until some kid carrying an earring made it his business. Lancer was still a bit annoyed about that, but what was done was done. If he was the only one that could stop a dream like that...well, he'd certainly tried.]

I ain't saying every life's gonna balance out perfectly. They can keep right on dreaming if they like, long as they leave me and anybody else not lookin' for that kind of thing out of it.

[explosivecombat]

Is that so...? It's rare that you find someone willing to let others make that sort of decision when they find it to be so abhorrent themselves.

[solas_ion]

[~LAWFUL NEUTRAL~]

'Abhorrent' isn't the word I'd use. I'm not dumb enough to think that anybody's less of a person for choosing the alternative. No, maybe what I should say is 'I wouldn't hate someone for that'.

I'd call it 'undesirable', I think. Maybe I'd enjoy that kind of dream for a while, but having it last forever just isn't my kind of thing.

[explosivecombat]

[Hey, Kimblee's not going to argue with the validity of neutral alignments; he's perfectly content hanging out at chaotic neutral himself.

...in other words he actually totally gets what you're saying and surprisingly has the same standpoint on it, he's just arguing the opposing side because he's a contrary little shit like that.]

Well, I should hope not, as it'd be remarkably petty to hate someone for a decision that, as you indicated, didn't affect you.

So you're just willing to speak for your own views overall, then - do you have no thoughts on those who choose that alternative whatsoever? It's perfectly acceptable if you don't.

[solas_ion]

Like I said, none of my business. And as long as it's not getting in my or anyone else's way, I don't have to make it my business.

[explosivecombat]

I find that I can't argue with that, to be blunt.

[solas_ion]

Hey, I figure it's as good a stance to take as any.

[explosivecombat]

I like seeing people who know what their stance is and remain firm in their convictions; it's rare to find that, as well - much rarer than it should be, at any rate.

[solas_ion]

It's better to stick to what you say, otherwise there's no point in saying it in the first place. Don't you think so?

[explosivecombat]

Oh, exactly. All we have when it comes to other people is their word, after all; if you can't trust that much, there's no point in discussing anything.

[solas_ion]

So tell me something--what made you ask that question specifically?

[explosivecombat]

Idle curiosity, mostly. I like seeing how people think, and I'll pose thought experiments to the network once in a while.

Given the entire...incident that occurred around this time last year, dreams seemed apt, that's all.

[solas_ion]

Oh yeah...that was about this time, wasn't it?

I'll have to admit I just got out of something like what you're talking about, so I'm a little...I don't know, guess you'd call it experienced with this kind of thing.

[explosivecombat]

Ah, is that so?

It's nothing I have personal experience with, myself; technology isn't nearly so advanced where I'm from. I assume your experience was in your own world?

[solas_ion]

Technology's got nothing to do with it, far as I know it was all based in magic.

[Because THAT'S normal.]

But yeah, things got a little weird back home.

[explosivecombat]

[...fortunately he's talked to Kayneth...]

I'm not familiar with magic either, I'm afraid. But I can imagine that wouldn't be terribly pleasant, assuming this was done against your will - which, judging by your responses here, it would have had to have been.

[solas_ion]

Something like that. it's kind of a long as hell story, y'know?

Point is, just kinda have to stand by what I said. It's fun for a while, but as a permanent thing it kind of sucks.