How To Get By In A Hostile World, Thursday

[suitably_heroic]

"Today, we're going people watching," Atton said.

In the Danger Shop, yes.

And that was all he said, yes.

He sat down on a bench and watched people pass on by.

Comments

Re: After A While...

[suitably_heroic]

"Everybody always has a purpose," Atton said, shrugging. "We have to. The brain - at least, a human brain - can only process so much at once. So you better make it count."

Re: After A While...

[justice_undone]

One human brain did limit her, and Breq still had to get used to that.

"I noticed the person enjoying the music she was listening to because that is something I would appreciate too," she said. "Do you consider understanding and recognition of a shared experience a purpose? And if you notice the same about someone you care about, does that have a purpose? Does noticing all the little things about them that make you love them have that?"

Re: After A While...

[suitably_heroic]

"I consider it a purpose, because we look around that way to see if someone is worth our time," Atton said, shrugging. "And we like confirmation that the things we like are things other people enjoy, too. As for people you already know, well, you might want to get to know them better, or appreciate what they are and what they mean to you."

Re: After A While...

[justice_undone]

"Perhaps it's just a definition of the word purpose, then," Breq replied, now adding a smile.

Re: After A While...

[suitably_heroic]

"Nobody does anything for no reason at all," Atton said. "This exercise is all about finding out where your focus goes, what you notice, when you don't have a specific goal to work towards."

Re: After A While...

[justice_undone]

"Then my conclusion is that I take an interest in finding people who enjoy music. Although I prefer it when I can hear the music too."

She knew this, of course, and so did anyone who had ever served on Justice of Toren.