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

[explosivecombat]

It's not so much that people would, I think; the point is questioning why people wouldn't. It's considered an argument against hedonism, actually - if hedonism is valid, there would be no reason to not use the machine, because the pleasure would be all that would matter. A promise of pleasure with no suffering or drawbacks whatsoever should be what a hedonist would aspire to, and yet most people would refuse to use the machine, rendering hedonism invalid.

[...and it takes him a moment, but after a while of looking at it and hesitating a bit, he sends another one, because that...it didn't really answer the question, did it?]

...It's one of those philosophical things I like, Isaac, and I want to see how people think.

[glaciates]

[...Thank you, that's what he needed to hear.]

It's an interesting idea. So you're seeing what people have to say about it? You're always very interested in things like this. Has anyone said anything interesting so far?

[explosivecombat]

A few, here and there.

You seem off-put by the idea, however. May I ask why?

[glaciates]

I thought that would be obvious. Why would you ever want to live in a dream world instead of the real one?

[...Hang on, that doesn't answer the question, does it?]

There's no point in living in a world where everything is perfect. Part of life is making mistakes and learning from them. Yeah, you have to deal with the unpleasant things, but I think that makes you a stronger person. Overcoming the obstacles is just as important as enjoying things in life.

So in an ideal world you wouldn't have that. Besides, everything that happens in a world like that doesn't touch you physically. It's something I can't really wrap my head around, I guess.

[explosivecombat]

I'll posit the same question I asked someone else, then - there are some that would argue that some people's lives are so full of suffering and misery that they can't properly experience life in the way that a human being should be able to.

Should they be expected to live our their suffering, even if they have no hope of reprieve from it, or is that an invalid choice?

[glaciates]

That's a good question. I hadn't thought about it like that. What I said before is what I think - it's not something I'd impose on anyone else. I don't really get why people would want to live their life like that, but if they really can't experience the positives in life then I guess that makes sense.

It's ultimately a decision I'm not going to make for other people. I'm not going to pretend to know what's right for everyone else.

[explosivecombat]

And that's improvement, isn't it?

I'm not trying to be catty, mind you; just stating fact.

[glaciates]

Improvement over what, exactly?

[He's not sure if they're on the same page at all here.]

[explosivecombat]

I'm fairly sure you would have been perfectly willing to decide what's best for a good number of people before coming here. Or am I mistaken?

[glaciates]

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.

[explosivecombat]

I'm not saying that's a bad thing.

[glaciates]

It might not be, but it's still really weird to think about.

[explosivecombat]

Well, it'd be alarming if there had been no change at all, wouldn't it? After spending so long away from Amestris, it's only natural.

[glaciates]

Oh yeah, I guess that's a good point. I'd hate to think what things would be like if nothing had changed.

[explosivecombat]

I happen to enjoy the current status quo, so don't let it concern you too much.

[Kimblee...]

[glaciates]

[He can practically see that expression...]

Alright. I hope you get some interesting answers to keep you busy.

[explosivecombat]

They've been good this round, actually.

Perhaps I'll tell you about some of them afterwards.

[glaciates]

I'd like that.

Are you going to be coming home soon?

[explosivecombat]

[Ah...]

Perhaps. I still have some business that I need to see through before I do.

I do want to speak to you in person again soon, however; there's something I've been meaning to discuss with you. Nothing you've done wrong, of course.

[glaciates]

[Thanks for getting that out of the way.]

Yeah? I take it this is something that has to be discussed in person?

[explosivecombat]

Yes, definitely.

[glaciates]

Okay. I'll be around whenever you get home. Or I'll be in the ice caves, but you know where to find me.

[explosivecombat]

Of course, Isaac.

Until then.