opnet [OpNet] May we have a moment of silence.....

[Hugin]

for Violette "V" D'Aronique's career with Utopia.

Bravo to you young lady for both braving the offensive presence of that little toad of a man and for standing up for your principles, damn the consequences.

I can only imagine the panicked buzz that your interview sent through the Public Relations Dept. at Utopia. Their systems are completely beyond my reach, but I was able to find out that Mr. Bronsteins's article made it from his grubby fingers to posting on N!'s site with inhuman speed. It seems that the normal preview given as a courtesy to Utopian officials was bypassed. A mistake I am sure.

[Zed]

Well, at least she didn't mention Pax's miniscule ding dong. He didn't like that one bit. At least that's what I hear. He never came to me himself. Probably felt a little inadequate.

[Wakinyan]

Do you really think she will lose her job? I hope not.

Her interview was interesting. It is nice to see some of us have opinions that do not diverge all that much. I have really tried to keep my politics off here since to be honest I don't know what they are yet.

[The Paragon]

I doubt she will lose her job, or even face centure. She has stood tall for Utopia countless time. More importantly, she is a freewoman expressing her beliefs. Utopia does stand for individual freedoms, you know.

Is the PR department buzzing? I dont' doubt it. They were bypassed, which isn't standard policy and both N!Prime and Zach knew that. As a matter of policy, I believe that will be the focus of any of our outrage.

Was this done for any reason beyone crass sensationalism? I doubt it.

[Matryoshka]

Was this Bad Pr for Utopia?Maybe, if you they handle this in the wrong way.

By opening their arms to the open flow of ideals,and free speech they strike at their naisayers in a manor that Pax's fist could never do. Wars are won with ideal,not arms.

If they let this young woman be herself, it is a blow to the Teragen cultists.After all if she can freely express herself,and act on her own motives...Where are her chains?How is she is in any more bondage than they are?She wishes to live within her own life.This life happens to be one of helping others.

So, Teragen, you wish to have all novas think like you?You say Utopians are mindless slaves?Utopia wants to build a better world, and evolve all.You want to revert to survival of the fittest.Who is the more barbaric here?Who is the more controlling?Who is the least liberating?

[Alex Craft]

Go for it, V. Just hope you know what you're doing.

[Violette 'V' D'Aronique]

Thank you everyone for your support. It means quite a bit to me right now.

Both Utopia and I will be making a formal statement soon.

[H. 'Machine' Mann]

Comes a time when character means more than facts, statistics, guesses or demographics.

Good luck, V. Stop by for a cup if you're ever down here.

[Sakurako Hino]

V, step carefully, and pull through. You're one of a bunch of Utopians I like, and I don't wantto see your career ruined because of a belief. Doesn't feel right to me at all. It would be againse Utopias charter to be unaccepting of other philosophies. After all they have a UN charter, and such discrimination flies in it's face.

This'll take some diplomacy, Violette. Hopefully it'll be all you'll need.

[David 'Dr. Troll' Smith]

The problem with that belief system isn't that some of it's followers are evil. The problem is where that path leads.

The American example would be "Seperate but Equal", it sounded nice to start with. Many other countries tried something on that path and ended up with death camps.

Violette, I know you mean well.

But you're wrong.

[Violette 'V' D'Aronique]

I have never endorsed "Separate but Equal," David.

I'll say more on the matter when I can. Just had to be clear on that.

[Singularity]

No matter what your message is, V, speaking your mind despite your employer is applaudable. It might not be a wise decision in some situations but I am glad to see you express yourself.

If you wish, I can provide you with financial advice to make yourself independent of Utopian support. Or if they have cut the strings already I can help you get back on your feet.

[Preston]

Doctor Smith, Karl Marx didn't envision Pol Pot, nor did the 19th century french intellectuals believe their theory of Aryanism would lead to Auschwitz and Dachau.

Whatever Ms. D'Aronique's intentions, she has chosen to divorce herself from humanity.

Ms. D'Aronique, you are not an ambassador from another tribe. After all, what tribe are you a member of now, having deserted ours?

You don't bring a message of peaceful co-existance, either. Your words may sound pleasing and well-reasoned, but the underlying message of self-interest at the expense of social conciousness is well known.

Thank you for bringing your inherent racism out into the open.

[H. 'Machine' Mann]

I had no idea society still produced those like you. Thank you for bringing it to my attention, Mr Preston.

[Violette 'V' D'Aronique]

I'm not divorcing myself from humanity. I live beside it, not above it or outside it. Racism brings with it feeling that you're superior to another, or that wish to have another oppressed.

Neither applies in this case, Preston. I'm sorry that you feel that is what I've done.

[Hugin]

Mr. Preston, thank you for standing up and counting yourself amongst the narrow minded and intolerant among us. I would have thought you would be a little beyond the "You are either with us or against us" line of thought.

So, she disagrees with Utopia, for whom you've expressed little to no affinity, but since she has not adopted your own martyred existence of self-denial for the sake of the greater populace you still find her repugnant? How impressive.

[Preston]

Ms. D'Aronique, did you not claim to no longer be human? If so, you are excluding yourself from humanity.

What seperates you from the rest of humanity?

Please explain to me just how you are "beside" humanity?

Mr. Mann, "those like you"? Exactly what would that be?

I believe I am both human and a nova. I believe there is a real danger in any one group thinking they are removed from another. I don't exclude anyone from my view of equality and community unless they purposely exclude themselves first.

Yes, Mr. Meehan, I have little love for Utopia. Now, we can all wonder how long Ms. D'Aronique has been hiding her true feeling from us. We can also wonder how far this mentality goes in other novas within that private organization.

As for the rest of your bile: Yeah, right. Keep believing it if it makes you happy.

I don't ask anyone to live my life. I don't expect others to have my dedication to the job. Those are my choices.

When someone excludes the vast majority of the earth's sentiant population from their 'tribe' because they don't have a node, I do get angry.

If they would quietly make that decision and walk off into the wilderness to never been seen or heard from again, more power to them. I support freedom of choice. Go form your tribe somewhere else. Preferably somewhere far, far away. Anyone can leave humanity if they so chose. But, if they spout it out over the airwaves and Opnet, I feel justified in calling it as I see it.

I didn't exclude Ms. D'Aronique, she excluded me and mine. She is the one who stood up and said "I'm no longer human". What does she think that means?

[Hugin]

Mr. Preston, you truly need to learn about shades of gray. I believe I am no longer human. I have decided to therefore no longer assist humanity through my efforts because I truly believe that in doing so harms baselines as well as Novas.

V has made no such decision as of yet. She still works for Utopia in order to 'better' the world for baselines. She is still helping people with a smile on her face. You feel the need to spit at her because she doesn't see baselines as her brothers and sisters despite the fact that she harbors no ill will for them.

You do expect people to lead the life you've chosen. You express barely disguised contempt for many who have not chosen a life of service and seem to barely tolerate the rest. If this is not how you truly feel you might want to look at how you are coming across.

[David 'Dr. Troll' Smith]

Quote:

Preston: Doctor Smith, Karl Marx didn't envision Pol Pot, nor did the 19th century french intellectuals believe their theory of Aryanism would lead to Auschwitz and Dachau.

Exactly. If Marx and the French realized the bitter fruit that came from the seeds they planted, I think they would have stopped.


V, these kinds of ideals have never ended well. The world has tried this path many times before, we know where it must lead. Nova may do it on a grander scale, but that is not a good thing.

[Preston]

You, Mr. Meehan, see the world through your tinted Terat shades.

I encourage everyone to contribute to their society, be it through the Peace Corp or The Urban Renewal Project. Even Utopia does a lot of good work. It is their nature as a private corporation that I have issues with, not their good works.

I also encourage other novas to contribute to their society as well. Yes, I feel that because we can do more, we should do more.

Novas are not here to take care of humanity, but to contribute to it. Our contributions are diminished unless everyone contributes, though, baseline and nova alike.

I don't ask or expect anyone to do what I do. I ask that they give a damn and to help out as best they can, to the limits of their abilities. I am asking them to embrace their humanity.

As for contempt ... I do have contempt for some here, it's true. I will leave the barely disguised contempt for many who have not chosen a life like yours, and to barely tolerate the rest, to you. You do it so well.

[H. 'Machine' Mann]

Quote:

Originally posted by Preston:
Mr. Mann, "those like you"? Exactly what would that be?

One of those who chooses to be a bigot.

Your flimsy rationales are cammo that does not conceal your need to identify those who fail to conform.

[Hugin]

Quote:

Originally posted by Preston:

As for contempt ... I do have contempt for some here, it's true. I will leave the barely disguised contempt for many who have not chosen a life like yours, and to barely tolerate the rest, to you. You do it so well.

Ah, but I admit that I hold you in contempt.

[Blue Cherry]

James, you are comming off as Hitler condeming Stallen.It doesn't mater if your right, you are still wrong.

Preston, what could I say?I could say many things, but I do not think you would listen.

[Violette 'V' D'Aronique]

Quote:

Originally posted by Preston:
Ms. D'Aronique, did you not claim to no longer be human? If so, you are excluding yourself from humanity.
What seperates you from the rest of humanity?
Please explain to me just how you are "beside" humanity?

I didn't exclude Ms. D'Aronique, she excluded me and mine. She is the one who stood up and said "I'm no longer human". What does she think that means?

Preston, I'm making every effort to be civil and you keep putting words in my mouth. Don't do this again, please.

For the record, I have "excluded" no one. No one. I've admitted that yes, I feel separate from those who are not novas. At no point have I stated that this makes me better than anyone. At no point have I said I'm superior to anyone. At no point have I said that I plan to divorce myself of all the wonderful non-nova people in my life. If anything, I'm including myself with everyone. I live in this world with everyone else. I plan to protect it and honor the laws of the land I make home.

I'm excluding nothing except a word, a label. We are called nova and baseline for a reason. There is a division between us, one than is far greater than black and white, male and female, short or tall. We are called homo sapiens novus because we are not homo sapiens sapiens . The division is great enough that we merit our own biological label, regardless of how similar it is to humanity's. I didn't create this rift, or this terminology which by its very nature and design excludes one from the other, separates one from the other. If we are completely human, why do we deserve this label?

If you are born with six toes, you are not given a new label, you're considered having a deformity. An extra sexual organ? Mutation or a "condition." We don't consider people with any other "difference" anything but homo sapiens sapiens , but those with an M-R Node are called homo sapiens novus.

The division exists already, Preston. Our language recognizes it, and in many ways so does our science. But even with that division, there is so much both nova and human have in common, so much common ground, that we can accept and respect the differences between us while living together. I refuse, refuse, to believe that all the hope and promise of our science-fiction stories, the wonder we get when we think of other races yet to visit our planet or we to visit theirs, that this single word is the linchpin keeping genocide from breaking out on earth. We are better than that. We have to be better than that, both human and nova. We cannot keep bringing up the mistakes of the past, all the horror that different "tribes" have wrought upon other "tribes." We must learn from them yes, and be wary of letting them repeat, but we can't let them rule us!

I can't believe that everything I've done before that interview is shattered and considered suspect because of this.

[Preston]

Mr. Mann, you apparently have no clue about me. I hold freedom in the highest regard. I deal with non-conformity every day. Those that embrace change advance society, though society may not want to be advanced at the time.

I also get to deal with bigotry and worse on a regular basis. What you fail to acknowledge, or grasp, is that I see the inherent threat in Ms. D'Aronique's beliefs.

There is a difference between saying "I want to live my own life, my own way" and "You are not a part of my species anymore". It's ugly when it comes from Michaelites and its ugly when it comes from novas.

Mr. Meehan, I am glad we have that out in the open. I would hate to think we would be on a different footing about everything. We can share our contempt for one another.

Blue Cherry, if you are going to say something, say it.

[Preston]

Yes, Ms. D'Aronique, I have noted you have stayed away from the word superior. It's an ugly word.

If you would please answer my previous questions:

What seperates you from the rest of humanity?

Please explain to me just how you are "beside" humanity?

Some of us believe that humans and novas are one people.

One word can make a world of difference. Try these on for size:

Aryan.

Jew.

Nova.

Baseline.

You have decided to stand up and make a distinction between yourself and others. You are by no means the first one to do this, or, as the song says we didn't start the fire.

[Violette 'V' D'Aronique]

I'm separate from humanity because I'm able to manipulate, by whatever means, quantum energy and force the universe to conform to my wishes with only my force of will. I'm limited, yes, my control over this universe is limited to matters electrical and bio-electrical, but you'd be surprised at just how much that allows me to manipulate and just how much I can do that a member of homo sapiens sapiens can't.

I'm beside humanity because I even though I'm separate from it biologically, I choose to include myself socially. I'm not placing myself above it socially, or living outside it socially.

I'm not calling you a racist and bigot even though your beliefs require belittling and attempting to discredit mine. Please stop doing that to me.

[Jager]

V, have you been talking with Ashnod?

[Matryoshka]

You manipulate quantum?Oh my. I stand here laughing..It manipulates you. You stand in the middle of hurricane,and tell yourself the weather is fine.

[Sakurako Hino]

*laughs*

We control it, yet it controls us?

You've been watching too much Star Wars.

[H. 'Machine' Mann]

Quote:

Originally posted by Preston:
Mr. Mann, you apparently have no clue about me.

None whatsoever as I believe you to be a bigoted liar typifying the worst of something that should have been bred out of the race centuries ago.

As a point of interest; when someone says they hold freedom in the highest regard, that means there is nothing they hold more dear. You use the phrase as a politician would.

[H. 'Machine' Mann]

Quote:

Originally posted by Violette 'V' D'Aronique:
I'm not calling you a racist and bigot even though your beliefs require belittling and attempting to discredit mine. Please stop doing that to me.

Partly my fault, Ms D'Aronique. Without my interjections he'd probably have continued the charade for several days at least.

You have my apologies for stirring this viper, and for a society still tolerating this.

[kestrel404]

I can see both sides to this argument, and despite the name calling, there are valid points to each.

Mr. Preston as I perceive it you are taking a long view to what V is saying. Her final statement in the interview was an all-encompassing one, phrased so that it is not her opinion, but fact. This, combined with her popularity, means that she is effectively arguing for species separatism. Her statements that she is 'beside' human society, implies that she is separate from it, even while she claims not to be 'outside of' human society.

But Ms. D'Aronique, if I am interpreting you correctly, you are arguing that the separation of Nova kind from Humankind, through labelling, should not be cause enough for hostility between us. Historically, you would be wrong, but with the advent of the Nova age, all bets are off. Transhuman philosophy allows us to change our patterns of thinking, develop new paths and sway the course of history in our favor.

V, I encourage you to find new viewpoints and discover new paths. I see where we are headed now, despite our work, and I would jump at any solid plan that would keep the fires of hatred and fear from spreading. But for the moment, pointing out the separations between novas and baselines just brings more tension.

[Preston]

Damn, Mr. Mann. I can't say which one is worse; being called a bigot, or a politician. I deal with both types on such a regular basis.

Speaking of things centuries old, things like attacking your detractors instead of defending your own position. Like me, Ms. D'Aronique feels that her views are correct, yet she isn't bothering to defend them. She would rather cast dispersions on me.

Mr. Mann, there is toleration in this society because of people like me. I don't just mouth platitudes about personal freedoms, I live it every day. I don't have to agree with everything said, and I can argue against it if I feel like it. I still have to, and want to, support freedom of thought and word. My job wouldn't be worthwhile if I could only protect "accepted" thought. I also realize the danger that words can lead to.

Ms. D'Aronique, am I attacking your beliefs? Yes. You are attacking mine, and it is a pity that you do not see that, nor see the damage you are causing.

Yes, Mr. Roberts, I take the long view. I would rather take the time out to talk an 11 year old out of the drug trade, than see him go to jail for life at 17.

Ms. D'Aronique wants to see the world as a brighter, happier place than I do. She wears a costume, lives in Utopia's Ivory Tower, and her job is "Official Hero". She lives in a nice PC, PR-controlled world. I'm a cop, and I see some of the worse that humanity has to offer. I deal with the free and open press as a matter of course, every day.

She is accountable only to herself, and the board of directors.

I'm responsible to the citizens of my metropolis.

These are choices we have made.

She may be right. This may be the first time when seperation will not lead to one group feeling superior to another. And, that superiority may not lead to conflict. Both my gut, and my node, tell me she is wrong.

[Violette 'V' D'Aronique]

Quote:

Originally posted by Preston:
[QB]
Speaking of things centuries old, things like attacking your detractors instead of defending your own position. Like me, Ms. D'Aronique feels that her views are correct, yet she isn't bothering to defend them. She would rather cast dispersions on me.

I haven't attacked you once! I'm finished talking to you, Mr. Preston. I've defended my beliefs here, not attacked yours or you in person.

[Matryoshka]

Quote:

Originally posted by Sakurako Hino:
*laughs*
We control it, yet it controls us?

You've been watching too much Star Wars.

We do not control quantum, anymore than we control the sun.We are brought into our power in away we can'y stop,and one day we will out right slaves to it's whims.

[Singularity]

Quote:

Originally posted by Signy Malory:
We do not control quantum, anymore than we control the sun.We are brought into our power in away we can'y stop,and one day we will out right slaves to it's whims.

That is the most laughable concept I have ever heard. My ability to carve through any substance like butter and withstand the same punishment without a scratch comes from mastering myself and the forces that run through me. If I followed what you are saying I would be consumed by quantum.

Quantum only controls us the same way air controls us and baselines: we need it to survive. And since it is the basic building block to everything in the universe, I am not worried about quantum controlling us.

[H. 'Machine' Mann]

Quote:

Originally posted by Preston:
Damn, Mr. Mann. I can't say which one is worse; being called a bigot, or a politician. I deal with both types on such a regular basis.

Then please be certain not to overlook the implicit meaning of being referred to as both in the same post.

I did not appointment you guardian of society but feel free to explain who did. Afterwards I'll explain to you that you're nothing more than a glorified security guard. Present day society requires someone to fill those positions, even bigoted political minded thugs such as yourself, but it doesn't allow them free reign to determine what the law is now does it?

What laws has Ms. D'Aronique broken?

[H. 'Machine' Mann]

The lady has left and we are all the poorer for it.

Consider our public business at an end Preston.

[Preston]

Do you feel better with the name-calling, Mr. Mann?

Your meaning is clear. You haven't a clue. You have a preconcieved notion about me, and your not smart enough to look beyond it. I'm okay with that.

This has never been a discussion about legalities. She has never broke any laws that I am aware of. I never said she did.

Who appointed me guardian of society? Let me see. I am a member of society, and I elect to defend it.

Your right. I don't determine what laws are right. I never claimed that, but you presumed I had, anyway.

I'm curious. If I am a bigot, what am I bigotted against?

I'm a politcal minded thug in your estimation? What are the politics you are presuming I have?

What exactly have I done that makes me a thug in your estimation?

I am defending a belief system that you disagree with. Grow up.