1.1.01.01.016: The Ishihara test is final and cannot be reviewed, nor retaken

[needshumility]

If the only way you could have total freedom within a society is to be literally invisible to that society, would you consider it worth it? If it took to technically not exist to be able to live by your own rules, would you want that?

Or would it be too lonely? Is there any point in that freedom when you can't share it with anyone, and you're left as an observer to a society where nobody else had any freedom at all?

[Wardens-Eddie-likes filter (doctors, Howie and other officious types excluded. George is in, though)]

There's... some concepts I'm not entirely sure of the meaning of, and after talking to my inmate, I think it's quite important to understand them.

God, and the afterlife.

I've talked to a few people, and no offence, they seem to have done their best to explain it, but it seems a little fuzzy still.

Is god a physical person? If so, why is he a god above everyone else? If not, why do people call themselves goddesses here? What's the difference between people who say there's one god, and those who say there's lots, responsible for different things? Which one's right?

Are both right? Are none right?

Is the afterlife just... something the Previous think happens after death, or is it something specific? Why would someone say this place wasn't the afterlife... when it's clearly, um, after life? For the dead people, anyway.

[Private, seperately, to Sveta and Martha - video]

[Eddie comes on screen.] Hi. I found something and... I thought you might be able to tell me what it was about.

[He holds up a copy of a Ishihara test]

We found this in the library, and me and Jane can see different things in it. Why might that be? What's the purpose of this?

[Kitchen filter]

Could you spare me a piece of meat, by any chance? You probably won't get it back.

[Lab staff-folks]

My inmate wants to do an experiment, and if I'm supervising and he wants to come in to do something, is that alright? He's not doing anything dangerous, and I'll make sure nothing's taken.

[Private to Victor.]

I've asked for some meat, for that experiment you wanted to do. You can have the day off from work to do it, so pick whenever suits you.

Comments

Re: [Eddie-friendly Warden Filter]

[needshumility.livejournal.com]

Couldn't someone say the same about you?

Re: Private

[needshumility.livejournal.com]

You've got a point. I just... I wouldn't want to be the Apocryphal Man, that's all.

Re: [Wardens-Eddie-likes filter!]

[needshumility.livejournal.com]

But everyone seems to belive something different.

Yes, but people come here after death. So isn't it an afterlife?

[needshumility.livejournal.com]

Officially, none. They were invisible. We had to ignore them.

He was a historian. But I don't know who he served.

Re: [Private]

[needshumility.livejournal.com]

By my count, yes.

Re: Wardens-in-the-good-books filter? yeeeaaaah, she is.

[needshumility.livejournal.com]

So, there's no right answer, it's just what people think?

Re: Private

[takeyouapart.livejournal.com]

Heh.

Then I hope we've both made the right decision for our worlds.

Can...I ask what the situation is, where you've come from?

Re: Private

[ourlastbesthope.livejournal.com]

They think it's right because their god says it is.

Re: Private

[greatlightother.livejournal.com]

Oh. You'll have to talk to Martha. You can tell her that I don't mind it. You've been such a good help so far. I trust you'll do the same there.

Re: Private

[needshumility.livejournal.com]

I do? Alright. It's just...

Never mind.

Re: Private

[thebestnose.livejournal.com]

Would you rather be someone like Tommo? Or Jabez?

Re: Private

[greatlightother.livejournal.com]

Just what?

[Exclusive Warden Filter]

[knowsthepeople]

I wouldn't say that. People believe what they believe is the truth, they just can't really prove it beyond a reasonable doubt or whatever, and since no one can really prove someone's wrong, any of 'em could be the truth, oah they might all be scams we've just been buyin' into for the last couple thousand years.

For some people. Not everyone. Religion's a big influence on some people's actions, but I think, at least, back where I'm from, it doesn't really totally govern everyone's lives over everything else. I mean, my religion says killing is wrong, and I believe in that, but not just because my religion says I should, you know?

Honestly, guy? I don't really know. I don't think the Admiral's god, and I don't think this place is hell, but I can't say what it is, either.

Re: [Exclusive Warden Filter]

[needshumility.livejournal.com]

Are there things your religion believes are wrong that you don't really see the problem with?

I really do appreciate your answers, by the way.

Re: Private

[needshumility.livejournal.com]

I'd rather be someone like me.

[pause]

Is that... Worship of the Me, do you think, or not?

Re: Private

[needshumility.livejournal.com]

Just that... I don't think she likes me much.

I'm not sure what she'd say.

Re: Private

[needshumility.livejournal.com]

It's... a little different, and don't spread this around.

My original question was about people and things we call Apocrypha. The Rules and our society can't explain them, or come up with a reason for them existing, so we have to ignore them. We had an Apocryphal Man as a lodger, but we couldn't talk to him, or even acknowledge we had a lodger. He could walk in and take our food and we couldn't do anything, because he didn't exist. He could turn up to Chromogencia meetings and say everything he knew - and he knew so much - but could only be heard if a slightly crazy old lady repeated what he'd said to everyone else.

But, also, a friend of mine... sometimes snuck off to live in an abandoned town nearby. In an empty house. There, she could keep Leapbacked items, and do what she wanted - but nobody could know she was there. Then she came back to work and be part of society in the day.

They were only free because they were alone. The Apocryphal Man knew so much, but had to prove to me he wasn't invisible by leaving something on my bed. He could observe, but never act, unless someone was prepared to break the Rules and acknowledge him like I did.

I... I'm part of the system now, I suppose. I'm a Prefect, I'll be Head Prefect soon, and I'm going to try and join National Colour. I can't really make myself invisible. So I have to act under their noses, really.

[pause]

Please, don't mention I told you this.

[Exclusive Warden Filter]

[knowsthepeople]

Sure. Technically, I'm not supposed to be alright with same sex relationships or marriages, but I don't really see a problem with it. The Catholic church isn't big on divorces either, but I figure it's better to leave some guy who's knocking you around then stay with him just because the church says you're supposed to, you know?

No problem, guy. Hope it's helpful.

Re: [Exclusive Warden Filter]

[needshumility.livejournal.com]

[Eddie's staring at that.] I've never heard of any of those things.

Anyway. So... it's not a problem, with the people in charge, you not agreeing with those Rules? It doesn't get you in trouble?

[Exclusive Warden Filter]

[knowsthepeople]

Not really. I mean, certain priests might get annoyed with you if you bring it up, oah if I like, went up to the Pope and gave him a lecture on somethin' like that, I think he'd be pretty pissed, but I don't think one guy really cares that some guy from Boston doesn't agree with him about divorce or whatever.

Re: Private

[greatlightother.livejournal.com]

Well, let me talk to her, then.

Re: Private

[thebestnose.livejournal.com]

No. I want to be me, too. But that doesn't make us like them.

Re: [Exclusive Warden Filter]

[needshumility.livejournal.com]

Right.

So the most that'll happen is someone disagreeing?

But, and I mean no offence by this, if you believe in some of it, shouldn't you believe in all of it? Why... choose to believe that, if you're going to agree with some bits and not others?

I got the impression it was pretty free choice, so why not pick something closer to what you actually think?

Re: Private

[needshumility.livejournal.com]

Would you?

I'd really appreciate it. I really do want to do it.

Re: Private

[needshumility.livejournal.com]

I didn't think it did.

Just checking.

Jane, do you actually know what Worship of the Me is? I couldn't really explain it to Victor.