endsthegame: (Default)
endsthegame ([personal profile] endsthegame) wrote in [community profile] fandomhigh2013-07-15 12:37 pm

Practical Philosophy, Monday

It was downright balmy out today, which frankly was a first for Ender's class - he was more used to having to watch the skies for sudden attacks of rainstorms or the like. Not that that ever stopped him, but still: it was nice not to have to worry about.

He walked in and sat down when everyone had settled, putting the bag of sandwiches down in the middle of the group. "So," he said. "Last Friday, most of us encountered an old Fandom classic - bursting into song whether we like it or not. Usually not."

He stretched out his legs. "Now there's a lot of discussion about art, expression, of which music is a part. Many have argued that a well-developed civilization needs art, to get people to better themselves - the paternalistic approach - or because expression is a fundamental part of human nature. It is, I suppose: we all express ourselves in our own ways, whether it be through song or painting or macaroni sculptures."

Ender paused, looking wry. "Of course," he said, "You could argue that what happened last Friday was more a 'spewing forth', an unpleasant regurgitation of your or someone else's expression that you didn't intend and didn't ask for. Is it still self-expression when it's done at metaphorical gunpoint? And something that I wondered about - is there a point to doing it, voluntarily or not, in front of someone you've already shared yourself with? Or is it freeing to just... sing out what's on your mind, without social filters, but with an easy excuse to blame it on?"
arsenicmauls: (neu: quiet and unhappy (pb))

Re: Talk.

[personal profile] arsenicmauls 2013-07-15 01:32 pm (UTC)(link)
"We talked about how I'm stuck here, right?" Gert grumbled. "I'm not allowed to leave." But more to the point, she added, "For anyone who has that freedom, I'd say it's a personal choice. They should leave whenever they don't feel like it's doing them any favors to be here. For whatever reason. Safety or boredom or anything."
arsenicmauls: (conv: yes?)

Re: Talk.

[personal profile] arsenicmauls 2013-07-15 02:29 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oh." Oops. She was dramatic. What else was new? "I don't know; it depends on the person, doesn't it? Everyone has different... triggers."

That felt suspiciously like a non-answer even though she was really giving it her best shot, so she generously added, "For me, most of the island's more egregious offenses have been the ones that weren't optional."
arsenicmauls: (neu: whew)

Re: Talk.

[personal profile] arsenicmauls 2013-07-15 03:09 pm (UTC)(link)
"The dungeon, if you were here for that," Gert answered promptly. "And randomly being older. There's not a lot of room for opting out when I think whatever's going on is the norm."