explosivecombat: (Someone needs to listen more carefully)
Solf J Kimblee ([personal profile] explosivecombat) wrote2014-12-22 03:12 pm

039. [Text]

One of the things I've always found admirable about humanity is their power to initiate change. Not just within themselves, either; that particular power includes the unique ability to instill change in other people – and for some, the world. It's always been rather appalling to me, that so many people would fail to understand how rare a gift that actually is: the actions of a single person have the potential to affect all of human society and leave their mark on the world, affecting and changing the course of the future itself.

It's a good amount of power that most people choose to do nothing with; it's a bit of a shame, really.

But whether we do anything with that power or not, we're all affected by it in some way; after all, the reason it exists at all is because people as individuals are volatile. We can change the world, and so it follows that the act of being in the world can also change us – whether through the actions of others who do choose to utilize that particular power, or just through the inconsistent nature of our surroundings. It follows the law of Equivalent Exchange rather well, I think.

Normally now is when I would suggest some sort of thought experiment to the network at large, probably morbid or inflammatory in nature, but I did promise someone that I would try not to be pointlessly negative for the sake of the holiday. Instead, my interest is elsewhere today – I want to know how this place has changed you. Positively or negatively, it matters very little to me; I'm just curious about what this place has given you, or perhaps what it's taken away.

Be as literal as you like, and as anonymous as you like; as usual with these sorts of things, your name interests me less than your answer.
diamondo: (✦ 37)

[personal profile] diamondo 2014-12-22 10:54 pm (UTC)(link)
That's a good point, I guess, but even if the situation is inescapable, if you can avoid doing one awful thing, the entire situation could change. That's not to say the situation would suddenly be better, but maybe it'll open up possibilities you wouldn't have seen otherwise.
unkinder: (☆ but I've seen despair here)

[personal profile] unkinder 2014-12-22 10:59 pm (UTC)(link)
More forgiving. This place seems to be all about giving people second chances, doesn't it? More often literally than not.
ossifragant: (⊕ we can't get out)

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[personal profile] ossifragant 2014-12-22 11:00 pm (UTC)(link)
It does trouble me. I don't see the need to deny that.

It's unsettling, but there isn't much a person can do about it. Not here, anyway. To be honest, even if I were to go home and remember everything that happened, I'm not exactly in a position to change things in Amestris. I've never been interested in changing the world. Taking what I want from it, yes, but that's not exactly the same thing.

To be honest, I don't know what I'd do if I was given the opportunity to change the world in some way. The fact that this place is a do-over is unsettling enough.
unkinder: (☆ to define me)

[personal profile] unkinder 2014-12-22 11:48 pm (UTC)(link)
Naturally. It's a peculiar thing, but I'm not sure what else I expected from this place.
ossifragant: (⊗ place your bets)

text;

[personal profile] ossifragant 2014-12-22 11:59 pm (UTC)(link)
I don't know what to call it.

I don't see the point, I guess. It's not something I'm interested in, nor is it something I think is actually possible. I'm not being defeatist, I honestly don't have any lofty goals for the world. I'll do what I can for myself but I think it's presumptuous to assume one man can change the course of history.

It's probably a bit ironic coming from me.
diamondo: (✦ 35)

[personal profile] diamondo 2014-12-23 12:01 am (UTC)(link)
I guess that's a possibility.

[YOU'RE LUCKY HE CAN'T SEE HOW THAT WOULD HAPPEN IN HIS SITUATION.]
unkinder: (☆ that I'll get)

[personal profile] unkinder 2014-12-23 12:04 am (UTC)(link)
Would you believe me if I told you that I'm not actually sure if I am or not?
diamondo: (✦ 18)

[personal profile] diamondo 2014-12-23 12:12 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah, it is. If I could remember this place I might be able to avoid that, but like I said, I doubt that'll happen.
diamondo: (✦ 12)

[personal profile] diamondo 2014-12-23 12:20 am (UTC)(link)
Sounds like you've already made peace with what's going to happen to you.

It's really unfortunate that we don't have more control over whether we stay or leave here, but I guess a lot of people would choose to stay.
diamondo: (✦ 02)

[personal profile] diamondo 2014-12-23 12:30 am (UTC)(link)
[...He's not even going to ask about that first part...]

Yeah. A lot of people are really close to some of the others they've met here, and even if it means leaving their old life behind, I'm sure there are some who'd rather stay here.
unkinder: (☆ but I've seen despair here)

[personal profile] unkinder 2014-12-23 12:34 am (UTC)(link)
Basically, what I remember occurring right before I arrived here in regards to my survival were a bit ambiguous.

I'm fairly confident I'll be alright, but I don't know for sure, either.


[That's what happens when the last thing you remember is a building collapsing around you. ...again.]
ossifragant: (⊕ precious like starlight)

text;

[personal profile] ossifragant 2014-12-23 12:34 am (UTC)(link)
I guess I'm thinking about things on too grand a scale.

[No surprises there, given who he is and who the master of the homunculi is in his version of Amestris.]

Whatever I did or haven't done yet from my perspective would certainly affect other people, especially considering what was about to happen before I came here. They have affected other people, I should say, because I wasn't always making good choices in Amestris.

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