8 ♐ Text ♐ Shadows: some hide, others reveal

[aim_exorable]

[At some time in the late afternoon, near evening, an anonymous message appears on the network.]

Hello Vatheon.

I was hoping a discussion could be had on a few things.

The topic is Ignorance and Perspective.

It is a very easy thing to categorize two different sides into ideas of good and evil, or right and wrong.

That kind of view sinks into society and can blind them from seeing things clearly no matter which side an individual is on.

A soldier on the opposing side is more than just an enemy to be extinguished even if you cannot see it.

They are doing a job and trying to protect those close to them.

They are trying to survive.

They are trying to do the best they can for themselves which is all any individual could want.

To deviate from their path could make their whole life seem worthless up to that point.

How much does it take before ignorance is no longer an excuse?

In a world where you are taught to trust few because there is no telling who will betray you, how can you let go to trust the words of another, especially one who is claimed to be the worst enemy you would ever know?

What if their words seem to make some sort of sense that goes against all you have fought for your entire life?

Could you betray the trust, affection, and lives of your comrades, people you have known for years, just because of a moment of doubt?

If you work with only what you know, what perhaps you are allowed to know, yet you do the best you can, how much does that exempt you?

Finally, if the side that opposed you offers forgiveness for what you have done to them, what would you do?

Please feel free to deviate slightly from the questions asked.

All you need to do is more or less stay on the idea of ignorance and perspective.

Comments

[Text; private - not anon]

[cadenbychoice]

You sure talk a lot.

I could say a lot too, about everything you brought up, but why should I? If you want answers why not show your face, or at least a name?

[Text; private - anon forever suck it!!!!]

[aim_exorable]

Why do you need an identity or face to have a simple discussion with someone?

[Text; private - not anon AGAIN 8(]

[cadenbychoice]

Because I feel like it, that's why.

And because you're so caught up in whose side is better that I have no idea if you're with the side I hate.

[Text; private - can't stop won't stop anon]

[aim_exorable]

I am on a completely neutral party for the time being.

Does that satisfy you?

Text, open, not anon

[zelda_hylia]

Ignorance can be forgiven if you honestly push to not make the same mistakes again. Only you can know if you're worthy of the forgiveness that's being offered or if you plan to simply continue on as you have been.

text/open/she couldn't anon her way out of a barrel so

[ex_fintastic398]

T)(at's a lot of questions. I don't t)(ink I can answer t)(em all.
I t)(ink ignorance is never and excuse t)(oug)(!

[Text; private - public jerk]

[cadenbychoice]

No.

It means you want someone else to tell you what to think instead of getting your own ideas. It means you're so weak that you don't know which way is up and you want someone else to point you in a direction so you don't have to figure it out yourself.

No one is going to tell you that they're a bad person to your face. They're going to lie and hurt you and pretend it's okay. Your own heart is the only thing that can tell the difference.

[Ha. Ha. Unintentionally answering your questions anyway.]

text/anon

[aim_exorable]

[Well. Fudge.]

[As much as Darkleer must grudgingly admit that he has been changing since his time in Vatheon, a prospect that rather frightens him, he's still something of a slave to the hemospectrum. It's one thing to go up against the Grand Highblood to protect Gamzee; it's another to see that tyrian purple text.]

I see.
Thank you for your honesty.

text, anon

[aim_exorable]

I would think that it is a hard thing, to change to fit forgiveness.

It can be a difficult thing to tell whether being worthy is right or not.

[Text; private - anon loser]

[aim_exorable]

I would not say "no one" but you do have something of a point.

If the heart is shrouded in confusion and complication, however, how can you trust it?

[Text; not anon]

[sechstel]

Ignorance of an enemy works well for those which desire most for that enemy to be destroyed. It is far easier to destroy something faceless, that possesses no humanity and can be labeled as a monster or unnatural; than it is to face someone that you know likely has people they care about in some manner and is possibly just as human as you are in the ways in which it matters most to you.

People will believe what they desire to believe, no matter how much evidence you may give them to the contrary. Some refuse to acknowledge the world is not as simple, black and white, cut and dry as they desire it to be. Some things can not exist without others, because if they did, they would then lose what meaning they once held.

[ex_fintastic398]

You're welcome!
But maybe I s)(ould add
I don't t)(ink ignorance is evil.
I mean... wait, let me rep)(rase t)(at.
I t)(ink it is a bad t)(ing as a concept
But I don't t)(ink an ignorant person is bad JUST because t)(ey're ignorant!
It's refusing to listen to t)(e ot)(er side or t)(e side of reason t)(at's bad.
Like, c)(oosing to STAY ignorant! T)(at's w)(at's really not good at all!

[Text | not anon]

[closedcircuit]

It depends on what ignorance is meant to excuse. In general it should always be our goal to treat other people as respectfully as possible, and to ask forgiveness when we aren't equal to that task.

Sometimes trusting someone makes them rise to be worthy of that trust. If all you're risking is yourself, then it's generally worth risking in the hopes of gaining an ally for your causes.

Where other people trust me, I have to strive to be worthy of that trust. Other people's lives are always more important than my doubt.

[And Ky knows all about pushing his doubt to the side.]

It's your obligation to find out as much as you can, even if there are people who do not wish to allow you to know it.

If they offer forgiveness than I have to recognize that it makes them a better person than I am, and do my best to come to terms with it and offer my own in return.

Anon vs Anon: Smack Down

[rebull]

That depends.

[Text; anon]

[aim_exorable]

Ha. That is certainly true.

Those in power who rule by possibly morally unsavory means would wish to keep their subjects ignorant so that they believe in the way set for them. Individuality discouraged, mindless obedience rewarded. Anything that deviates from their ideal is reduced to nothing more than an animal that simply must be put down for acting up.

I admit that there are those who welcome this type of system with welcome arms so long as they are those benefited. [Himself once amongst those numbers.]

It is... interesting to see what encourages that ignorance. Naivety? Greed? Lack of empathy? Desperation?

[aim_exorable]

Oh.
Well then.
You make it sound very easy to listen to an opposing viewpoint I must admit.
It is an enviable thing to think it lacks difficulty.

gdi summoner!!!

[aim_exorable]

Enlightening.
Could you explain further on the factors it depends on?

text | not anon forever

[zelda_hylia]

It is a hard thing indeed. Do you think that you are changing? Even being in the process can be enough.

[Text | anon]

[aim_exorable]

[Darkleer takes a bit longer to reply to this than some of the others. Mostly for the fact that it is something he hasn't yet heard, from either his own mind or the mouths of others. It sounds faintly familiar, in a way, something he is almost sure he relied on in the past yet simply never put into words.]

Thank you for your words.

I suppose there is not much stopping self discovery in this place besides one's own self. The only grasp our worlds have on us now is that which they have instilled in us. Many do not have superiors, if they ever had any, in this place to direct them. There are no worldwide governments to dictate how we act.

Habits can be so hard to break, however.

I will not deny that the lives of others are more important, especially in this place where we must rely on one another against those that keep us here despite their "kindness". A part of me simply wonders if some who offer forgiveness are merely naive. There are some that simply should not be allowed it, after all. How does an individual decide if they are one of those beings or not?

text | anon forever because else things would just be *so* awkward

[aim_exorable]

[!!!]

I never mentioned that this discussion was about myself.

text | It's awkward now but only for Darkleer. JUST HOW I LIKE IT.

[zelda_hylia]

You did not have to. Why would you post anonymously if it were about someone else? It is alright, though. I would probably do something similar. You wish to hear the opinions of many without the chance of alerting others involved in the situation, yes?

You mean gdi anon.

[rebull]

A lot. But you're already starting of pretty bad if you think that every situation can be treated the same. Everyone approaches things from different perspectives, and the things you've dealt with were what helped your own perspective get where it currently is. To approach this without knowing any real specifics is childish and will only get use moving in circles.

[Text | not anon]

[closedcircuit]

The problem with that way of thinking is that our forgiveness means as much to us as it does to the people we agree to forgive.

If they aren't a present danger and are genuinely regretful for how things have gone, then we should endeavor to forgive them for the past wrongs that they might have done.

[Text]

[sechstel]

Even those who claim to be in the moral right have been known to use ignorance against those they perceive as being different or unnatural to the world.

Any one of those could cause and in some cases even promote ignorance. Along with possible laziness... they don't wish to expend the effort to find out the truth of a given matter and thus accept whatever they're told of it as the reality of the situation.

Sometimes one might even continue down the path of selective ignorance, even after having been shown the truth, because they are too ashamed or too scared of what might happen if they admitted their ignorance and acted on the truth they have learned.

text | gently weeping his life forever

[aim_exorable]

[...fft.]

Perhaps.