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  1. #1
    Player EaraGrace's Avatar
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    Eara Grace
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    Quote Originally Posted by CrownySuccubus View Post
    Except it wasn't "the world" that killed them. They were murdered by Heremes and Meteion before being finished off by Venat.
    And what would come afterwards if the Final Days never occurred?

    Quote Originally Posted by CrownySuccubus View Post
    It's not a "hard call" at all. No one deserves to make unilateral decisions for an entire planet.
    I have bad news about the world we live in.

    Quote Originally Posted by CrownySuccubus View Post
    To be frank, if you agree with one person making that decision for all of humankind, then I think that's fundamentally messed up.
    The right choice is the right choice. I think Venat and her group made the right call given wheat we know, and I think the circumstances of the moment make that clear.

    Quote Originally Posted by CrownySuccubus View Post
    Except, once again...you can't claim that one thing is impossible to achieve, and then try to prove that with something else equally impossible.
    Perhaps I missed this point but what was “equally impossible” that was achieved? The Dead Ends accomplished much, sure, but they recognized impossibility when they saw it.

    Quote Originally Posted by CrownySuccubus View Post
    Except, again, this argument does not work because of the Plenty. The premise of the Plenty is that they have eradicated all sorrow, and this is stated multiiple times by independent entities outside of the denizens themselves.

    The entire premise of the Plenty is that if there is no sorrow or strife, there is no joy. So we are told in absolute terms that they eliminated sorry and strife, and thus have no joy. The story does not present this as "they BELIEVE they have done this, but are wrong", because if it did, the premise would be faulty. If they did not eliminate all sorrow and suffering, and thus joy, then the simple solution to their problem is to demonstrate sorrow and suffering which they overlooked, and thus joy that they overlooked...and if that's the case, then the Plenty are idiots who killed themselves for no reason.
    I believe you may have misunderstood the narratives point. The people of the Plenty, and all those who tried something similar, were well aware they failed at the end of their efforts. As Meteion says:

    Though worlds apart, these peoples shared a belief. The belief that they had tried their best. That they had tried to fulfill, with every step and success. In the course of which, they learned the truth. That they would never be free of fear and sorrow, anger and despair-of loneliness-so long as they yet lived.
    It was that realization, that “paradise” was empty and a prison, that broke them.

    Quote Originally Posted by CrownySuccubus View Post
    This argument only works if you accept the conclusion: that Venat is correct and her judgment makes sense from an out-of-universe context.

    If you do not accept this, then Venat's statement makes no sense, because we're once again assuming that "perfect" means "current best" and not an absolute state. Again, this is like assuming that the iPhone X was perfect before the iPhone 11 came out, which was perfect before the iPhone 12 came out, and so on and so forth.
    Or we assume “perfect” means the best they could do in the universe they live in, given the conception of perfection they decided to adopt. As the denizens of the Plenty described themselves, “infinity constructed by the finite.”

    Quote Originally Posted by CrownySuccubus View Post
    Again, the problem with this argument is that Venat had other options and did not take them.
    And I do not see those as options for the reasons laid out.

    Quote Originally Posted by Lauront View Post
    The Convocation along with the other civil institutions of their star were expected to show full transparency:
    (7)

  2. #2
    Player
    Brinne's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by EaraGrace View Post
    I have bad news about the world we live in.
    So do I, considering:

    Quote Originally Posted by EaraGrace View Post
    I believe the bar necessary to harm an innocent is so high that only an evil of impossible magnitude could justify such an act.
    So, how much do you know about the ways in which the parts for the computer or electronic device you are currently using were sourced?
    (12)

  3. #3
    Player
    CrownySuccubus's Avatar
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    Victoria Crowny
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    Quote Originally Posted by EaraGrace View Post
    And what would come afterwards if the Final Days never occurred?
    Just like perfection, predicting a future that didn't happen is impossible.

    Quote Originally Posted by EaraGrace View Post
    I have bad news about the world we live in.
    Are you actually suggesting that the state of the world is FINE, then? If not, then this is an attempt at a "gotcha" and not an argument.

    Quote Originally Posted by EaraGrace View Post
    The right choice is the right choice. I think Venat and her group made the right call given wheat we know, and I think the circumstances of the moment make that clear.
    Yes, we know your opinion. Doubling down on it is not conducive to a discussion.

    Quote Originally Posted by EaraGrace View Post
    Perhaps I missed this point but what was “equally impossible” that was achieved? The Dead Ends accomplished much, sure, but they recognized impossibility when they saw it.
    Do you believe that eliminating all strife and sorrow is possible in reality?

    Quote Originally Posted by EaraGrace View Post
    believe you may have misunderstood the narratives point. The people of the Plenty, and all those who tried something similar, were well aware they failed at the end of their efforts. As Meteion says:

    It was that realization, that “paradise” was empty and a prison, that broke them.
    It's not that I misunderstood it. It's that you refuse to think critically about it.

    (Off-note: did that accusation feel good? No? Then KNOCK IT OFF.)

    Meteion was talking about Ultima Thule in general, not The Plenty specifically. And no, we cannot apply that statement to ALL of Ultima Thule or the Dead Lands, because the dragons didn't assume they had achieved perfection, nor did the star that died by plague, nor the star ruled by the deity that killed everybody. Even the wartorn star never seems to have claimed that their world was perfect. And on top of that, there are tons of worlds (like the Nekropolis) where even Meteion doesn't know what the hell happened. So clearly, Meteion's broad statement there has plenty of exceptions.

    Likewise, in the Plenty itself, they say:

    "A curious traveler visited our star - a bird which proffered these questions: "What meaning does life hold? For what do you strive?"I could find no satisfactory answers, only bittersweet memories of an age long past.

    There was a time when we were lesser, and in our nescience sought purpose - struggled to justify life's worth. That was, of course, before we achieved perfection. Now, condemned to our paradise, we understand the fatuity of existance.

    Like the fledgelings we once were the poor bird could not accept the truth. It asked us again and again - hoping, perhaps, our answer might change.

    There was a time when we yearned to explore the heavens, found purpose in the hope of unveiling life's mysteries. A dream shattered when we reached enlightenment, and found it empty. There was a time when we believed in our legacy, thought ourselves marking a worthy path our successors might follow. Efforts rendered futile when we discovered the keys to paradise and immortality. As individuals we struggled to know what was right, yet in today's perfect unity there is naught left to question. We are infinity constricted by the finite, but no more─Ra-la shall grant us the mercy of annihilation."
    Meteion confirms this:

    [Meteion: Farther still existed a star without strife...

    Meteion: ...where none remembered life's trials─or its joys.

    Meteion: What its people had gained from ease, they lost to apathy.

    Meteion: So they created the kindest, most gentle of beasts.
    So again, we're left with two possibilities:

    1) They did NOT eliminate all sorrow and strife, and were bummed out because they thought they did.
    2) They actually eliminated all sorrow and strife, but found they could find no joy without it.

    #2 contradicts itself. #1 makes them look like idiots that service no lesson.

    The story states that it's #2.

    Quote Originally Posted by EaraGrace View Post
    Or we assume “perfect” means the best they could do in the universe they live in, given the conception of perfection they decided to adopt. As the denizens of the Plenty described themselves, “infinity constructed by the finite.”
    Which is, again, Meaning 1 of "perfection".

    Quote Originally Posted by CrownySuccubus View Post
    Meaning 1: The best civilization that the specific society is capable of, regardless of any remaining "flaws".

    Meaning 2: A truly perfect society, with no flaws.
    In which case, the Plenty's entire problem never existed and they were just idiots.

    Quote Originally Posted by EaraGrace View Post
    And I do not see those as options for the reasons laid out.
    To repeat:

    Yes, we know your opinion. Doubling down on it is not conducive to a discussion.
    (9)
    Last edited by CrownySuccubus; 08-06-2022 at 04:57 AM.

  4. #4
    Player EaraGrace's Avatar
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    Eara Grace
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    Quote Originally Posted by CrownySuccubus View Post
    Just like perfection, predicting a future that didn't happen is impossible.
    Of course knowing the future to its specifics is impossible, but all living beings have to make judgment calls and inferences based on existing information. How convenient that its not acceptable to do so here.

    Quote Originally Posted by CrownySuccubus View Post
    Are you actually suggesting that the state of the world is FINE, then? If not, then this is an attempt at a "gotcha" and not an argument.
    Fuck no, but the issue I have with the world isn't that people are making decisions that effect others, its the decisions and the reasons for them. Even in the democratic societies people are making decisions for others, oftentimes ones they don't agree with. Unless you believe in anarchism Crowny, which is fine if you do, thats an inevitability.

    Quote Originally Posted by CrownySuccubus View Post
    Yes, we know your opinion. Doubling down on it is not conducive to a discussion.
    You want a discussion or not Crowny. I'm answering your questions and responding to your points.

    D
    Quote Originally Posted by CrownySuccubus View Post
    o you believe that eliminating all strife and sorrow is possible in reality?
    All strife and sorrow? No.

    Quote Originally Posted by CrownySuccubus View Post
    It's not that I misunderstood it. It's that you refuse to think critically about it.

    (Off-note: did that accusation feel good? No? Then KNOCK IT OFF.)
    You've treated me like an idiot and denigrated me throughout this discussion, so don't get sanctimonious with me.

    Quote Originally Posted by CrownySuccubus View Post
    Meteion was talking about Ultima Thule in general, not The Plenty specifically. And no, we cannot apply that statement to ALL of Ultima Thule or the Dead Lands, because the dragons didn't assume they had achieved perfection, nor did the star that died by plague, nor the star ruled by the deity that killed everybody.
    We almost certainly can!

    Beyond that distant veil... Paradise lost. So glorious. So beautiful...
    We were a proud and noble race. Strength embodied. We knew only love. Before they came...
    Metal monstrosities of black and silver. No bonds of blood did they share, nor conviction did they have to guide them.
    A crushing defeat. Never had we known such shame... Stilled now are the winds, though none could fill these wings burdened by ignominy. We fly no more, only sink into oblivion...
    I beg thee leave me to dream. To forget that which we have lost...
    Sounds real familiar to me!

    Quote Originally Posted by CrownySuccubus View Post
    Even the wartorn star never seems to have claimed that their world was perfect. And on top of that, there are tons of worlds (like the Nekropolis) where even Meteion doesn't know what the hell happened. So clearly, Meteion's broad statement there has plenty of exceptions.
    Sure, but that perfection was still sought with a single minded zealotry that peace and unity was the way forward. A zealotry that gave rise to the machines that killed them and the war that ripped their planet apart. Each and every world we are shown follows that same pattern. The yearning for a perfect world, the manifestation of that in action, and the consequences that follow. If you wish to hold that Meteion find all these exceptions that were so definitely possible paths forward, and simply decided to torment Hermes for the fun of it, then by all means. I think that's crazy.

    Quote Originally Posted by CrownySuccubus View Post
    So again, we're left with two possibilities:

    1) They did NOT eliminate all sorrow and strife, and were bummed out because they thought they did.
    2) They actually eliminated all sorrow and strife, but found they could find no joy without it.

    #2 contradicts itself. #1 makes them look like idiots that service no lesson.

    The story states that it's #2.
    And I am repeatedly going to point out that the story gives several direct quotes where major characters state that it is impossible to do that. How do you hold the story states #2 with those quotes? You've yet to answer that, and instead insisted that the contradiction remains. The premise of the Plenty isn't undermined by pointing out that its denizens were wrong anymore than the premise of the dragons, or the Ea or the Omicron is wrong because of what happened in Ultima Thule. A society that gave up individuality itself in order to eliminate sorrow being ruined by the realization that life is unable to exist with out is not crazy, it makes perfect sense!

    Quote Originally Posted by CrownySuccubus View Post
    In which case, the Plenty's entire problem never existed and they were just idiots.
    Believe as you please then. I think they tried their best.

    Quote Originally Posted by CrownySuccubus View Post
    To repeat:

    Yes, we know your opinion. Doubling down on it is not conducive to a discussion.
    Ok, then in the interest of discussion explain your reasoning. You've given a moral reason for why you shouldn't by saying:

    It's not a "hard call" at all. No one deserves to make unilateral decisions for an entire planet.
    But I don't agree with you there! So were at an impasse. If we would like to discuss that and not just agree to disagree, we then need to find a way around that. What reason do I have to not believe that? What problems exist in my reasoning here? Any of these would give me more to say than just restating my position!

    Quote Originally Posted by Lauront View Post
    I'll make it obvious in case it isn't: they don't need to show every detailed step of their deliberation processes (or, for that matter, when Lahabrea needed a toilet break), least of all to totally-just-a-familiars, in order to be transparent in communicating their decisions to their people for further discussion. So, from where in the above does it follow that it is in accordance with the way their government or society operated to surreptitiously decide to spring a surprise supreme deity on them and genocide their entire people? When even the Convocation members had sigils binding them from using their powers in ways that abused their position?
    Ok, I genuinely don't understand how a statement where it is clearly stated that highly sensitive affairs that are revealed only to select few, which he states includes us, can be interpreted this way. The word include quite literally means "comprise or contain as part of a whole." What exactly do you think the whole being referred to is?

    Quote Originally Posted by Brinne View Post
    So, how much do you know about the ways in which the parts for the computer or electronic device you are currently using were sourced?
    Good one Brinne, I'm sure you know for complete certainty that I've never advocated, agreed with or fought for change in production practices in worldwide supply chains. You mentioned me poisoning the well before but based on statements like this I don't think its a well anymore. Its a container of toxic sludge.
    (5)

  5. #5
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    Brinne's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by EaraGrace View Post
    Good one Brinne, I'm sure you know for complete certainty that I've never advocated, agreed with or fought for change in production practices in worldwide supply chains. You mentioned me poisoning the well before but based on statements like this I don't think its a well anymore. Its a container of toxic sludge.
    Eara, you were the one who invoked the state of the real world as something to inform this discussion and how we should understand the Ancients' situation, as seen with your first quote in my post, and furthermore, you were the one to tie your own personal choices in similar moral questions into how you view the overall morality of Endwalker. At that point, you have opened the door to interrogate on that basis, not me.

    So, once again: only an evil of impossible magnitude can justify such an act as bringing harm to innocent life. "An evil of impossible magnitude" would cover both a threat to life present and future, and you being prevented from using your personal electronic devices, under this logic. Under premises that you, once again, had already introduced or accepted in this discussion.
    (8)

  6. #6
    Player EaraGrace's Avatar
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    Eara Grace
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    Quote Originally Posted by Brinne View Post
    Eara, you were the one who invoked the state of the real world as something to inform this discussion and how we should understand the Ancients' situation, as seen with your first quote in my post, and furthermore, you were the one to tie your own personal choices in similar moral questions into how you view the overall morality of Endwalker. At that point, you have opened the door to interrogate on that basis, not me.

    So, once again: only an evil of impossible magnitude can justify such an act as bringing harm to innocent life. "An evil of impossible magnitude" would cover both a threat to life present and future, and you being prevented from using your personal electronic devices, under this logic. Under premises that you, once again, had already introduced or accepted in this discussion.
    And I gave reason why I don't think that's a fair criticism of my position, and in fact that whole statement relies on assumptions about a stranger on the internet. I explained my moral system, and I believe I have lived by it. If you genuinely think that me purchasing an electronic device is akin to the direct maiming and harming of an innocent, then we can discuss that. But don't pretend like this isn't some clear attempt at a gotcha.
    (5)
    Last edited by EaraGrace; 08-06-2022 at 08:00 PM.

  7. #7
    Player
    CrownySuccubus's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by EaraGrace View Post
    Of course knowing the future to its specifics is impossible, but all living beings have to make judgment calls and inferences based on existing information. How convenient that its not acceptable to do so here.
    ...How "convenient" that one person shouldn't be allowed to make a judgment call to commit genocide on the entire human race and reset civilization based on a possibility which is inherently impossible to predict?

    Yeah, that sounds like a good thing, to me.

    Quote Originally Posted by EaraGrace View Post
    Fuck no, but the issue I have with the world isn't that people are making decisions that effect others, its the decisions and the reasons for them. Even in the democratic societies people are making decisions for others, oftentimes ones they don't agree with. Unless you believe in anarchism Crowny, which is fine if you do, thats an inevitability.
    As I said earlier, this argument fallaciously argues that because dictatorship and democracy are both forms of authority, they're both equal and completely denies the possibility that one is worse than the other.

    Quote Originally Posted by EaraGrace View Post
    You want a discussion or not Crowny. I'm answering your questions and responding to your points.
    No, you're doubling down on your opinions. Which is NOT conducive to a discussion.

    Quote Originally Posted by EaraGrace View Post
    All strife and sorrow? No.
    Then that answers your question, doesn't it?

    Quote Originally Posted by EaraGrace View Post
    You've treated me like an idiot and denigrated me throughout this discussion, so don't get sanctimonious with me.
    Give me one example. If it's a valid one, I'll apologize.

    Regardless, the next time you pull that, this discussion is over immediately.

    Quote Originally Posted by EaraGrace View Post
    We almost certainly can!

    Sounds real familiar to me!
    So MAYBE the dragons? So one out of the four mentioned?

    But even the dragons don't really count, because it wasn't a search for perfection that ruined them. Like, at all. In fact, if the dragons had been any lesser than what they were, they still would have been wiped out by the Omnicron...only faster.

    Quote Originally Posted by EaraGrace View Post
    Sure, but that perfection was still sought with a single minded zealotry that peace and unity was the way forward. A zealotry that gave rise to the machines that killed them and the war that ripped their planet apart. Each and every world we are shown follows that same pattern. The yearning for a perfect world, the manifestation of that in action, and the consequences that follow.
    Again, the dragons don't count, the plague world doesn't count, nor does the one destroyed by their deity.

    And the ones where Meteion doesn't know what happened literally cannot count, because she flat out does not have the answers.

    Quote Originally Posted by EaraGrace View Post
    If you wish to hold that Meteion find all these exceptions that were so definitely possible paths forward, and simply decided to torment Hermes for the fun of it, then by all means. I think that's crazy.
    That's a strawman. What I hold is that you are overreaching on a very general statement that Meteion made to offer it as "proof" of your argument, when it isn't.

    Quote Originally Posted by EaraGrace View Post
    And I am repeatedly going to point out that the story gives several direct quotes where major characters state that it is impossible to do that. How do you hold the story states #2 with those quotes? You've yet to answer that, and instead insisted that the contradiction remains.
    Every quote you present that states how it's "impossible" to do it is countered by direct quotes which stated that the Plenty literally did it. Which I've quoted multiple times. The very fact that there are quotes that contradict each other is flat out, text proof of said contradiction. So how have I "yet to answer" anything?

    Quote Originally Posted by EaraGrace View Post
    Believe as you please then. I think they tried their best.
    Cool.
    Quote Originally Posted by EaraGrace View Post
    Ok, then in the interest of discussion explain your reasoning. You've given a moral reason for why you shouldn't by saying:

    But I don't agree with you there! So were at an impasse. If we would like to discuss that and not just agree to disagree, we then need to find a way around that. What reason do I have to not believe that? What problems exist in my reasoning here? Any of these would give me more to say than just restating my position!
    Your reasoning (based on the first two quotes in this post) basically amounts to "the answer to our problems is a benevolent dictatorship", where one person or cabal with good intentions acts unilaterally to enact whatever goal they think needs to be done for the sake of life. To avoid any semantics, we can call "one person makes decisions for the rest of an entire world" something other than a "dictatorship" if you like, but it really doesn't matter what it's called. It doesn't change the next part of my statement.

    The problem with this argument is that such a benevolent dictatorship is, like perfection or predicting the future, impossible. The exact same fundamental problem that prevents perfection and prediction of the future is also inherent in the concept of a "benevolent" dictatorship. A person cannot be all-knowing or all-seeing or all-compassionate. Have you ever heard of a scientist that was the foremost expert on EVERY field of study? Have you ever heard of a politician who never made a bad decision? Have you ever heard of a business man who's never lost money? That's the fundamental problem with one person making decisions for everyone else. Nobody knows everything, is never wrong, or makes mistakes. The inherent problem of a dictatorship is that if the leader in question is incorrect, ignorant, or inefficient, then there is nothing anyone can do about it. Furthermore, once a dictatorship is in place, there is no guarantee that it will end. The perfect examples are Rome and Weimar Germany; both of them placed "benevolent" dictators in charge to save civilization from dire collapse, and then those dictators decided to just keep that power forever. And even if their reign ends, that doesn't negate the possibility of consequences -- by the time the last Roman emperor fell, Europe had become a theocratic hegemony, and by the time Germany was defeated, a few million people had been exterminated and humankind entered a nuclear cold war. Hell, even in the case of Venat, the changes she made to Etheirys (if not the universe, by not telling anybody about Meteion) are fundamentally permanent, and nobody has the ability to do anything about it.

    If you agree with EW's story in that the pursuit of a perfect world leads to Dead Ends, then you, more than anybody here, should be absolutely opposed to the idea that any one person should EVER decide the fate of an entire planet -- because if the dictator decides that pursuing perfection is the correct thing to do, then that's where the world will be headed, because the definition of a dictatorship is that they're the only one with the power to act or decide. Furthermore, a dictatorship is a form of government that REQUIRES perfection. If the dictator is ever wrong about ANYTHING or ever ignores the interests of society, you are screwed. Even if you depose that dictatorship and install another "better" one, the problem remains. The best case scenario is that you get a great absolute leader for a temporary amount of time, until they make a decision that is incorrect, ignorant or inefficient. Then you're right back to where you started at BEST. At worst, there'll be so much damage that it'll be too late to do anything about it this time.

    In essence, dictatorships are great, until they aren't. And once they aren't, you're screwed.
    (5)
    Last edited by CrownySuccubus; 08-06-2022 at 01:02 PM.

  8. #8
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    KariTheFox's Avatar
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    When did Eara advocate for a benevolent dictatorship? This whole spiel about the flaws of benevolent dictatorship seems a little silly when Venat was never a dictator anyway.
    (6)

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by KariTheFox View Post
    When did Eara advocate for a benevolent dictatorship? This whole spiel about the flaws of benevolent dictatorship seems a little silly when Venat was never a dictator anyway.
    "To avoid any semantics, we can call "one person makes decisions for the rest of an entire world" something other than a "dictatorship" if you like, but it really doesn't matter what it's called. It doesn't change the next part of my statement."
    (7)

  10. #10
    Player EaraGrace's Avatar
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    Oh boy long post incoming, apologies for taking up even more space here.

    Quote Originally Posted by CrownySuccubus View Post
    ...How "convenient" that one person shouldn't be allowed to make a judgment call to commit genocide on the entire human race and reset civilization based on a possibility which is inherently impossible to predict
    I think you're establishing a standard for decision making that would be ridiculous if applied evenly. If another species came to Earth, and warned us that they had ruined their world with nuclear weapons and explained that we shared many of the same warning signs, would you not agree that should engender drastic action even if we can't know for certain?

    Quote Originally Posted by CrownySuccubus View Post
    As I said earlier, this argument fallaciously argues that because dictatorship and democracy are both forms of authority, they're both equal and completely denies the possibility that one is worse than the other.
    I don't say they're both equal, I said that based on the standard you established, with one person making decisions that affect the lives and wellbeing of billions in dramatic ways, pretty much every system of government on Earth fails to avoid that problem. If a nation has a head of state that makes decisions, it is effectively doing that same thing.

    Quote Originally Posted by CrownySuccubus View Post
    No, you're doubling down on your opinions. Which is NOT conducive to a discussion.
    What do you want me to say then? I'm restating my position because I haven't been convinced otherwise and because it explains why I think what I think. You started this specific chain by saying my opinion is "messed up," which isn't exactly conducive to discussion in the first place is it?

    Quote Originally Posted by CrownySuccubus View Post
    Then that answers your question, doesn't it?
    I guess so.

    Quote Originally Posted by CrownySuccubus View Post
    Give me one example. If it's a valid one, I'll apologize.

    Regardless, the next time you pull that, this discussion is over immediately.
    Sure. I think equivocating my arguments to someone letting people die from horrific preventable diseases because of Tik Tok was not only a ridiculous comparison but downright insulting for one. I haven't done that to you, the most I've equivocated is either an explanation of my own arguments or the statement about anarchism, which I stressed in the statement itself was not meant to be dismissive or insulting.

    Quote Originally Posted by CrownySuccubus View Post
    So MAYBE the dragons? So one out of the four mentioned...

    Again, the dragons don't count, the plague world doesn't count, nor does the one destroyed by their deity.
    Or they may have fled like Midgard, who is noted in the Ultima Thule quests as being mocked for his decision. But ok, so what of the Grebuloff as you mention? Their invasion of the world above the ocean was because they sought what they thought was paradise, only to find it wasn't.

    This world is not the boundless paradise we were promised. Our population quickly outstripped the habitable land, while seas we thought would shine forever blue ran dry, spoiled in forging the tools of conquest. Cramped homes turned to squalor, and then came the sickness.
    Quote Originally Posted by CrownySuccubus View Post
    And the ones where Meteion doesn't know what happened literally cannot count, because she flat out does not have the answers.
    Sure. The only conclusion one can have on those that were already gone is that they are dead.

    Quote Originally Posted by CrownySuccubus View Post
    That's a strawman. What I hold is that you are overreaching on a very general statement that Meteion made to offer it as "proof" of your argument, when it isn't.
    But my objection is that Meteion had no reason not to cling to doubt in her conclusion if there were any to be found. The Meteia were desperate to find even one answer to give to Hermes, and I don't think it logical to conclude they wouldn't take what they could if they did indeed find something.

    Quote Originally Posted by CrownySuccubus View Post
    Every quote you present that states how it's "impossible" to do it is countered by direct quotes which stated that the Plenty literally did it. Which I've quoted multiple times. The very fact that there are quotes that contradict each other is flat out, text proof of said contradiction. So how have I "yet to answer" anything?
    And I would say the quotes you use are a mix of statements by the Plenty themselves, or arguments made using different language that allows for nuance. The Plenty are in fact the only ones that use the word perfection to describe themselves, even Meteion in the quotes you include. The Scions are the closest to making that sort of statement, but even don't go as far as the denizens of the Plenty do, nor obviously do they believe the Plenty to be a true manifestation of the perfect society.

    Quote Originally Posted by CrownySuccubus View Post
    Your reasoning (based on the first two quotes in this post) basically amounts to "the answer to our problems is a benevolent dictatorship", where one person or cabal with good intentions acts unilaterally to enact whatever goal they think needs to be done for the sake of life.
    No, once again there's nuance here your stripping me of. There is a wide gulf between I thinking should good individual should act to preserve good even if that calls for standing in opposition to the majority, and "the answer to our problems is a benevolent dictatorship."

    Quote Originally Posted by CrownySuccubus View Post
    To avoid any semantics, we can call "one person makes decisions for the rest of an entire world" something other than a "dictatorship" if you like, but it really doesn't matter what it's called. It doesn't change the next part of my statement.

    The problem with this argument is that such a benevolent dictatorship is, like perfection or predicting the future, impossible.
    Before I jump into the argument itself I want to point out something I have an issue with. In the first part of this quote you do something I appreciate, you recognize that specific language is inflammatory to me and would get in the way of the discussion and thus offer an alternative. I think that's cool.

    The problem is you immediately follow up by using that selfsame language having just explained that you know and expect me to have a bone to pick with it. Why? Its not necessary, and you obviously know I'm going to reject that argument and the baggage it came with. But ok enough whinging on to the argument.

    Quote Originally Posted by CrownySuccubus View Post
    The exact same fundamental problem that prevents perfection and prediction of the future is also inherent in the concept of a "benevolent" dictatorship...
    Humans are infallible this is totally true, but one doesn't need to be dictator to make world altering decisions. Presidents do that all the time, and often go against the wishes of the people in doing so. Abraham Lincoln moved against the will of many during the Civil War, and yet he was right to do so. Even on a more individual level people stand in opposition to the world they live in and oftentimes by force make change happen. And it can be for the better! I don't have to make Venat dictator in order to believe she has the right of it here. One can hold that it is best to allow as much freedom of choice as possible while recognizing that the every desire of the majority is not always right and that it be best that they not be followed. If a celestial dragon came down from the heavens and said to the world "no more racism" (as ridiculous as that sounds I know), I don't believe I would have cause to fight against them. I could understand why others are wary for sure, but I honestly would support that at least.

    Quote Originally Posted by CrownySuccubus View Post
    And even if their reign ends, that doesn't negate the possibility of consequences -- by the time the last Roman emperor fell, Europe had become a theocratic hegemony, and by the time Germany was defeated, a few million people had been exterminated and humankind entered a nuclear cold war. Hell, even in the case of Venat, the changes she made to Etheirys (if not the universe, by not telling anybody about Meteion) are fundamentally permanent, and nobody has the ability to do anything about it.
    And once again that isn't exclusive to these situations. The world could've ended in 1962 and only a handful of individuals would've had the power to make that decision.

    Quote Originally Posted by CrownySuccubus View Post
    If you agree with EW's story in that the pursuit of a perfect world leads to Dead Ends, then you, more than anybody here, should be absolutely opposed to the idea that any one person should EVER decide the fate of an entire planet -- because if the dictator decides that pursuing perfection is the correct thing to do, then that's where the world will be headed, because the definition of a dictatorship is that they're the only one with the power to act or decide.
    And once again I don't believe that a dictatorship is alone in this problem. In the timeline where Venat tells the world of Meteion, who would ultimately get to decide what to do with that info in Amaurotine society?

    Quote Originally Posted by CrownySuccubus View Post
    Furthermore, a dictatorship is a form of government that REQUIRES perfection...
    And once again I can say the same thing of any sovereign, President, Queen, Prime Minister, etc. The benefit of a democracy is you do have the infrastructure to remove them from power non-violently, which is partly what makes democracy great in my eyes, but that doesn't change the fact that for a specified amount of time a person can make decisions for you that you hate. Tyranny is only for individuals, majorities can be tyrants as well.
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    Last edited by EaraGrace; 08-06-2022 at 09:36 PM.

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