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, 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; 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.

[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;

[angelphones]

It's not exactly soldiers in a war... but I think I can understand this somewhat. Sometimes people won't take forgiveness, though. They're too hurt, or too angry.

[Voice]

[used2btoonpi]

[Because typing requires more energy then he has at the moment.]

Nice to know someone thinks around here.

[He muttered that last bit and now he's just going to answer the questions as he can. Mainly because this all points to things he should be considering, on a smaller scale at least.]

Ignorance ain't an excuse. And it ain't a reason either. If someone decides to do something stupid, well they better make damn sure they can accept anything that happens as a result.

I'm gonna answer this next question with a question. If you can trust your friends to stay your friends...then how can you trust your enemies to actually be your enemies? Sounds like a double edged sword there, pal.

The rest of those? There's a real easy way to figure that out. Accept whatever change is happening. It isn't real easy to say your wrong and even harder to say someone is right. If ya think something is right for even a second, then you need to go with it. On my world we call it 'listening to our guts'. I've done it loads of times. Gone against my superiors 'cause someone said something that made me think. Saved a coupla lives that way too.

[not here]

[withoutasign]

[Signless has a pretty good idea who this is, and what it's about. He wants to jump in, but... no. Professional. He told Darkleer he would be professional. There's no need to get involved here.]

[bestestfurrend]

[Wow, okay, this whole topic looks waaay too familiar. But if Darkleer wants to keep it anonymous she'll respect that - she's not sure what to reply to him, though, or whether to reply at all.

He already knows what she thinks about it, and she's sure he just wants to get other people's opinions. She's really glad he's not burying it anymore! But at the same time it's really hard for her to not say anything. She's a meddler like other!not!dad.

...and in the meantime her SFC is recording her scrunching up her mouth thoughtfully. Whoops.]

[video]

[flammatory]

[This whole post was almost tailor made to ping Zuko's issues, so though it takes him a while to get his thoughts together, he eventually speaks up. He's somber, arms folded, and almost pensive.]

Being ignorant willingly is selfish. If you can't help it, that's one thing. But having answers in front of you and refusing to see them is weak and shameful, no matter how life-changing those answers are. You have a duty to yourself, not just to your country and your position.

... But if you really want what I think, I think you're asking the wrong questions.