fandomhigh | The Science of Psionics, Wednesday

"An old friend of mine used to be quite concerned with issues of morality and ethics," Kerrigan began. She had no more sentimental feelings towards Harriet Jones, but the woman was an easy memory to use convincingly. "Personally, I've never quite had the time to stop and think about it."

A lift of her eyebrows that invited taking that as a joke. It... wasn't. At least not nowadays.

"We've touched on this before, of course," she drawled, "But this friend died some time after I left the island, so for sentimentality's sake I'm throwing a stick into this henhouse."

Most likely, the topic wouldn't bring her any interesting intel on these kids, but it might leak something. No matter. Kerrigan was quickly losing her interest in this island as it stood. "Telekinesis, telepathy, all the other forms of this power of the mind we've been talking about, all of it comes with an opportunity for abuse. And yet, on the other side of it - telepaths from my universe had no choice. They couldn't stay out of your head if they wanted to. So was it abusive for them to use their powers?"

Her mouth was a thin line. Almost a smile, if you looked at it wrong.

"Do we - or they, if you're not one of us - have a responsibility to keep ourselves in check? I'm not talking about just my home now. Should we hole ourselves up and wrap ourselves in bubble wrap and come with warning labels?" She snorted. "Or do we exercise the power we've been given and well, pity the poor fools, but it's not our fault they didn't come equipped with the skills to keep us out...? Do our powers make us some special category of people that needs laws pasted all over them, or can we say fuck them, you've got ears and you use them, too, no matter how inconvenient it is to me?"

She glanced over the class. "And can anyone on the outside make demands of us one way or the other? They weren't born with these powers, after all. What do they know? Can they make any accurate judgement about what we're supposed to do? Hm?"

She might have had her opinions.

She waved a hand at the class. "Talk," she said. "Just this once, there are no wrong answers."

Ahahah. There were totally wrong answers.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"If they knew what you were talking about, they might be willing to consider it," Scully said mildly. "And you're not listening. I said your request is reasonable. If you can explain it so people can do it." Unamused Scully was unamused. "The same way it's not unreasonable for them to expect you to stay out of their heads, if you could. Or any telepath who can. Yes. I do think the onus is on them, in that case. I don't rifle through their personal effects for blackmail or personal information. Any telepath who can control themselves, who can set up physical shields while they sleep, or who can explain how I can keep them out of my head, has as much responsibility as I do to stay licensed and responsible when I use a gun."

Edited 2011-03-31 03:12 (UTC)

"And yet you missed the part where I said I have taught baseline humans various tips and tricks. It's not my job to solicit every humanoid-based creature on campus and see if they want to learn," Emma retorted. "I'm a student here, not a teacher. If someone comes to me, then yes, I give lessons. I have never turned anyone away that wants to work with my powers. But telling me that I have to explain myself over and over to everyone is branding me as guilty even if I haven't done anything. THAT, I object to."

"I'd be happy to," Scully said promptly. "When?" And after a pause, "The snark doesn't help. But I apologize for any insult you feel I've offered here." Most of it hadn't been aimed at Emma, even if her attitude grated. Just the memories of too many people with too much power and no consideration.

Now Emma was openly staring as if Scully had utterly lost her mind.

"No," she said succinctly. "You deliberately thought - very loudly, I might add, and it was deliberate - that people like me were not to be trusted. You do not apologize for any insult you offered, and you're taking your issues out on me."

"I'm not letting someone who needs therapy as badly as you do into my head. It isn't safe and I don't want the migraine from your attitude. I will not do someone who accuses me of things without proof a favor. Go find another telepath to help you, Miss Scully, because I don't work with bigots."

The Science of Psionics, Wednesday

Re: Circle Discussion: Ethics

Re: Circle Discussion: Ethics

Re: Circle Discussion: Ethics

Re: Circle Discussion: Ethics