http://replicarter.livejournal.com/ ([identity profile] replicarter.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] fandomhigh2005-11-07 05:02 pm

Cyborg Theory - Compassion

Eighth looks pale and interesting and is less animated than usual. As the class files into her classroom, she looks up now and then from the endless equations she’s working out on a large sheet of paper.

Once the class is settled, she looks up at them.



Greetings, class. I hope you all had a pleasant weekend -- her eyes linger on Samantha’s face before continuing -- and are now rested for this week of classes and the usual hijinks and tomfoolery you students revel in -- she gives a small smile to Crichton who is passing a note to Adama..

Last week we discussed the nature of evil and the cyborg/android system.

Today we will discuss both compassion and love.

Eighth turns on the powerpoint and points to the painting now appearing against the wall. In Greek mythology, legends tell of the artist Pygmalion who built a statue of the most beautiful woman he could imagine, carving her with grace and dexterity of a true artist. The resulting statue, which he called Galatea, was so beautiful that he feel in love with his creation. In their wisdom or folly, the gods of love brought Galatea to life so that she could be his wife, art realized in true human form. The legend ends there, no further details on the life lived by this creature who inhabited a false human shell and her relationship with the besotted Pygmalion. Who knows how the two carried out the rest of their days? The theme, however, of the story is the strength of Pygmalion’s love for that which is not truly human, a creature shaped by his own hands.

Eighth falters a little and then continues.

My second example is of J.F. Sebastian in the film Blade Runner and his both sexual interest and compassion for the replicant Pris. She shows the clip from the film and then turns the lights back on. As you see, two robotic individuals are manipulating a human to feel compassion for them – however the fact remains that compassion was achieved.

For my third example, I want you to close your eyes and concentrate on the essence that is you – stop laughing, Mr. Crichton – concentrate on all and everything that is your self, personality and soul. Now picture all of that downloaded into a shell of a body, very similar to the body you inhabit right at this moment. Now picture your self, your identity downloaded into something as asinine as a toaster or an ice cream truck.

And tell me how you would feel if a human being expressed love or compassion for you, despite your cyborgian state, and how it would feel if you were shunned by those you loved and cared for most of all because you were no longer human like them, regardless if the transfer caused you to be an evil megalomaniac—

Eighth stops for a moment, and catches her breath and does not look at Sam.

I, um… my point is – is it foolish to fall in love with that with is not 100% human? Is it foolish to feel compassion for them in their situation?

I open the class up to discussion.

Re: WHO COULD EVER LOVE A <S>BEAST</S> CYBORG?

[identity profile] bridge-carson.livejournal.com 2005-11-08 12:46 am (UTC)(link)
Bridge ponders for a minute, and then pipes up. "I don't think it's foolish at all. For that matter, who gets to define what a 'human' is anyway?"

Re: WHO COULD EVER LOVE A <S>BEAST</S> CYBORG?

[identity profile] bridge-carson.livejournal.com 2005-11-08 01:22 am (UTC)(link)
"Really, when you think about it, everyone is a "creation"- whether from mechanical parts or genetic code."