endsthegame: (Default)
endsthegame ([personal profile] endsthegame) wrote in [community profile] fandomhigh2014-05-19 01:46 pm

Practical Philosophy, Monday

"There are those of us who come here believing very strongly in duty," Ender said. "Others who come here to escape it - and some to who it's absolutely not a part of their lives."

He smiled a little.

"I had a mentor, once," he said. "I was told that people were free, unless humanity needed them, and that humanity never asked us to be happy, merely to act on its behalf - for its survival. Happiness, he felt, was a luxury that at times we could scarcely afford. To opt out of doing our duty at such a time was the worst crime imaginable: a crime of stupidity."

He took a sip of water. "I've met people who disagreed, since," he said. "I've also met people whose lives were so intricately bound to these rules they didn't even know where they stopped and the rules began. Some of you have already made your views fairly clear already, but I'm curious as to everyone else's input, too.

"How important is duty? Do we people all carry some grand responsibility to our species, or should we exist only for ourselves and the development of our self? And if we live for duty, then when does that end? Is there some point where all of us may be afforded personal freedom, or are we perpetually tied to our responsibilities, whether we flee from them or not?"

Re: Talk.

[identity profile] notaweenie.livejournal.com 2014-05-19 02:10 pm (UTC)(link)
"'Kark'? Who the fuck says 'Kark'?" Barry joked. "And I'm no fucking hero anyway. Just a guy who does science."

Re: Talk.

[identity profile] makemyownway.livejournal.com 2014-05-19 02:24 pm (UTC)(link)
"What kind of science?" Cade asked.

Re: Talk.

[identity profile] notaweenie.livejournal.com 2014-05-19 02:27 pm (UTC)(link)
"Eh. Physics. Chemistry. Biology. Xenobiology. Astronomy. That kind of shit," Barry said with a shrug. "I do all of that crap."

Re: Talk.

[identity profile] makemyownway.livejournal.com 2014-05-19 02:30 pm (UTC)(link)
Trying to make this still vaguely about the topic, Cade asked, "and when you're messing around, you think about any responsibility to people to not accidentally mutate 'em into having three di--arms?"

See, Ender? He's trying.

Kind of.

Re: Talk.

[identity profile] notaweenie.livejournal.com 2014-05-19 02:34 pm (UTC)(link)
"Yeah, well I've had my share of fuck ups in the past," Barry said smirking at Cade's cover up. "Some my fault and some others. But yeah, I take care of where I shit, you know? Usually because if I don't some bigger shit will happen."

Re: Talk.

[identity profile] makemyownway.livejournal.com 2014-05-19 02:40 pm (UTC)(link)
"And that would be a terrible experiment," Cade said, all fake innocence.

These two should never have met. It will only end in tears for the rest of the island.

Re: Talk.

[identity profile] notaweenie.livejournal.com 2014-05-19 02:47 pm (UTC)(link)
"Why? Are you looking for two more di- arms?" Barry asked. "I can make that happen if you want."

Re: Talk.

[identity profile] makemyownway.livejournal.com 2014-05-19 03:17 pm (UTC)(link)
"My one--two--" this was getting odd, "--arm is just fine, thanks," Cade replied. "Least I've never had any complaints."

Re: Talk.

[identity profile] notaweenie.livejournal.com 2014-05-19 03:38 pm (UTC)(link)
"Well it's not like they aren't going to tell you to your face," Barry pointed out. "No girl is going to point out that you're missing something without that extra appendage."

Re: Talk.

[identity profile] makemyownway.livejournal.com 2014-05-19 07:19 pm (UTC)(link)
Cade snorted. "And how many do you have?"

Sorry, Ender.

Re: Talk.

[identity profile] notaweenie.livejournal.com 2014-05-19 07:53 pm (UTC)(link)
"Just two."

...

"Arms."

Obviously.

Re: Talk.

[identity profile] makemyownway.livejournal.com 2014-05-19 07:54 pm (UTC)(link)
Cade snorted. "Ladies love the arms," he agreed.