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Jadian
Ninja
Registered: 07/07/05
Posts: 7,404
Loc: The desert
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Absolute power or absolute freedom
#6595507 - 02/21/07 08:42 PM (17 years, 1 month ago) |
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Here's the situation, 25 years from now there's only two opposing factions left on this planet. You are the supreme dictator for life of one and your people love you. The other faction rapes, kills, and tortures anyone from your faction that they catch, including recently your brother (or sister) and previously both your parents.
One day your top scientist comes to you with a discovery, a compound when inhaled by humans, leads to the next step of human evolution. This eliminates the need for any form of leadership, as all people instantly (Hey this is hypothetical, don't tell me why it can't happen) are rendered equal and happy. There's no more crime, prejudice or fighting.
The catch is, in order to use this new compound it must be used on the WHOLE world, including everybody from the other side of the fence. After this is released you could be working next to the same person who killed and raped your brother/sister, and you'd be doing it happily.
You'd have to give up your supreme power and everything at your disposal in order to become happy and equal like everybody else, would you do it?
-------------------- LNC's official Alaskan stoner
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TrancedShroom
Mr. Hanky
Registered: 03/08/06
Posts: 8,002
Loc: Rippin Waves
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Re: Absolute power or absolute freedom [Re: Jadian]
#6595534 - 02/21/07 08:49 PM (17 years, 1 month ago) |
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Well if everyone evolves and are completely happy, I dont believe previous events would matter.
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Boom
just a tester
Registered: 06/16/04
Posts: 11,252
Loc: Cypress Creek
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Re: Absolute power or absolute freedom [Re: Jadian]
#6595541 - 02/21/07 08:50 PM (17 years, 1 month ago) |
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I'd rather be happy and be the supreme overlord
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RipVanWinkle
The Benzodiazethang
Registered: 06/11/06
Posts: 4,700
Loc: Near Memphrica, TN
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Re: Absolute power or absolute freedom [Re: Boom]
#6595563 - 02/21/07 08:56 PM (17 years, 1 month ago) |
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Yup. If it would put an end to all the hate and suffering in the world, I wouldn't hesitate.
-------------------- Those who danced were thought to be quite insane by those who could not hear the music.
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Boom
just a tester
Registered: 06/16/04
Posts: 11,252
Loc: Cypress Creek
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Re: Absolute power or absolute freedom [Re: RipVanWinkle]
#6595585 - 02/21/07 09:00 PM (17 years, 1 month ago) |
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No, I'm saying that I'd rather be in power. And be happy about it.
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TrancedShroom
Mr. Hanky
Registered: 03/08/06
Posts: 8,002
Loc: Rippin Waves
Last seen: 12 years, 6 months
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Re: Absolute power or absolute freedom [Re: Boom]
#6595595 - 02/21/07 09:02 PM (17 years, 1 month ago) |
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Quote:
Booooom said: No, I'm saying that I'd rather be in power. And be happy about it.
All the drugs you wanted Booooom
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RipVanWinkle
The Benzodiazethang
Registered: 06/11/06
Posts: 4,700
Loc: Near Memphrica, TN
Last seen: 2 years, 4 months
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Re: Absolute power or absolute freedom [Re: Boom]
#6595597 - 02/21/07 09:02 PM (17 years, 1 month ago) |
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Yeah I know.... Damn quick reply box tricks me every time...
-------------------- Those who danced were thought to be quite insane by those who could not hear the music.
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Jadian
Ninja
Registered: 07/07/05
Posts: 7,404
Loc: The desert
Last seen: 6 years, 3 months
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Re: Absolute power or absolute freedom [Re: Boom]
#6595648 - 02/21/07 09:11 PM (17 years, 1 month ago) |
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In the situation provided, you are the ruler, and you are happy about it.
There's just another group of people you AREN'T the leader of and they aren't happy about it, to the point where they unmercilessly kill your people.
-------------------- LNC's official Alaskan stoner
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MOTH
Wild Woman
Registered: 06/06/03
Posts: 23,431
Loc: In the jungle
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Re: Absolute power or absolute freedom [Re: Jadian]
#6595695 - 02/21/07 09:20 PM (17 years, 1 month ago) |
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Are you writing a novel?
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Jadian
Ninja
Registered: 07/07/05
Posts: 7,404
Loc: The desert
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Re: Absolute power or absolute freedom [Re: MOTH]
#6595743 - 02/21/07 09:27 PM (17 years, 1 month ago) |
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Yes, but that has little to do with this topic in general.
-------------------- LNC's official Alaskan stoner
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moho456
The Past Inside The Present
Registered: 06/10/06
Posts: 223
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Re: Absolute power or absolute freedom [Re: Jadian]
#6595864 - 02/21/07 09:54 PM (17 years, 1 month ago) |
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There's a real problem with the solution by the scientist. If everyone is happy, what need is there to invent, to progress? How boring would the world be in such a homogeneous culture? Sure we can all be happy, but you would have to neuter the mind to be happy without any kind of conflict. Necessity arises from conflict, and it is the mother of invention, and of fun. There would be no poking fun, just taking your inhalable soma. Welcome to a Brave New World. I guess I am a savage......
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Colbadol
Reality Mechanic
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Re: Absolute power or absolute freedom [Re: Jadian]
#6595867 - 02/21/07 09:55 PM (17 years, 1 month ago) |
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...i would only do it if it were guaranteed to work on everybody in teh entire world.
because, if, say, the scientist who invented it also invented a vaccine...and when everone became peaceful sheep, he plays wolf, then no, i wouldnt give up my power. but if youre saying, in the bigger picture, would i give up hate and lust for revenge? id like to say yes. im not really one for grudges.
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Jadian
Ninja
Registered: 07/07/05
Posts: 7,404
Loc: The desert
Last seen: 6 years, 3 months
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Re: Absolute power or absolute freedom [Re: Colbadol]
#6595874 - 02/21/07 09:59 PM (17 years, 1 month ago) |
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Yeah, EVERYBODY gets it or NOBODY gets it, nobody's preying on the sheep afterwards.
Sure the actual logistics don't make sense, but in this hypothetical situation in a hypothetical world, I just want to know if people would rather be supreme ruler of all and the happiest of people or completely equal to everyone with nobody suffering.
-------------------- LNC's official Alaskan stoner
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jewunit
Brutal!
Registered: 01/11/07
Posts: 34,264
Loc: Ohio
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Re: Absolute power or absolute freedom [Re: Jadian]
#6595889 - 02/21/07 10:08 PM (17 years, 1 month ago) |
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Power, no doubt in my mind.
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DR. PRIME
Mental M.D.
Registered: 12/14/06
Posts: 2,293
Loc: Chicago
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Re: Absolute power or absolute freedom [Re: Jadian]
#6595894 - 02/21/07 10:10 PM (17 years, 1 month ago) |
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I'd give it to the other side and kill them all off cuz they're a bunch of happy-loving motherfuckers that wouldn't try to kill me. haha
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Jadian
Ninja
Registered: 07/07/05
Posts: 7,404
Loc: The desert
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Re: Absolute power or absolute freedom [Re: DR. PRIME]
#6596145 - 02/21/07 11:36 PM (17 years, 1 month ago) |
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Good thought, but doesn't fit in with the all or nothing scenario.
-------------------- LNC's official Alaskan stoner
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DR. PRIME
Mental M.D.
Registered: 12/14/06
Posts: 2,293
Loc: Chicago
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Re: Absolute power or absolute freedom [Re: Jadian]
#6597013 - 02/22/07 10:57 AM (17 years, 1 month ago) |
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The scenario doesn't match human nature, so I guess the scenario is the one that doesn't fit my thought.
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TrancedShroom
Mr. Hanky
Registered: 03/08/06
Posts: 8,002
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Re: Absolute power or absolute freedom [Re: DR. PRIME]
#6597079 - 02/22/07 11:42 AM (17 years, 1 month ago) |
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good one!
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Jadian
Ninja
Registered: 07/07/05
Posts: 7,404
Loc: The desert
Last seen: 6 years, 3 months
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Re: Absolute power or absolute freedom [Re: DR. PRIME]
#6598128 - 02/22/07 04:28 PM (17 years, 1 month ago) |
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Thus why I referred to this new compound as the "Next step in human evolution"
Of course our human nature doesn't allow for this, thus I allowed for the change in human nature.
But I suppose there's always the folks who just can't answer a fucking question, so I'll probably continue to have to explain simple things like this.
-------------------- LNC's official Alaskan stoner
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moho456
The Past Inside The Present
Registered: 06/10/06
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Re: Absolute power or absolute freedom [Re: Jadian]
#6625139 - 03/01/07 05:00 PM (17 years, 1 month ago) |
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Well I don't think you can call a conscious alteration of our fabric outside of nature evolution.
The situation is retarded - everyone dies or everyone's soul dies. Thats like asking if you would rather drive your car off a cliff or off a cliff into lava, what does it matter?
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