opnet [OpNet] V got me to thinking.

[Wakinyan]

I might be something more inhuman than the average Nova but does it seperate me from humanity? It might but, does it mean I am better than humanity? I don't think so. I guess I just grew up never thinking I as a human was above other creatures, just different than they and that really hasn't changed.

If I hunt and kill a Buffalo or a Mule Deer I might have caught it because I am stronger and faster but that doesn't mean I am better than it. In fact I thank it for giving itself to me so I will not go hungry.

I have a half wolf mutt named, Dances with Humans. (Yes a little Native humor for you) I got him about two years ago. He is a great dog and I love him a lot. As a human I loved a dog. I consider him a friend, family and equal. I feel he looks upon me the same way. When I changed into what I am now he reconized I was different but little has changed even though my senses are stronger than his. We are honest companions and friends although I am 'superior' to him by the definition of some. So I guess I am saying I am seperate from this dog but consider him an equal.

Maybe I just judge equality by a different system than most.

[Singularity]

Quote:

Originally posted by Totem:
I have a half wolf mutt named, Dances with Humans. (Yes a little Native humor for you) I got him about two years ago. He is a great dog and I love him a lot. As a human I loved a dog. I consider him a friend, family and equal. I feel he looks upon me the same way. When I changed into what I am now he reconized I was different but little has changed even though my senses are stronger than his. We are honest companions and friends although I am 'superior' to him by the definition of some. So I guess I am saying I am seperate from this dog but consider him an equal.

Maybe I just judge equality by a different system than most.

I think the belief system you were raised in may be a partial source of your views on superiority, Totem. I once thought, as a baseline and as a nova, I was better than everyone else. I viewed my eruption and success as an elite as proof of my destiny. Obviously, my opinion has changed since then.

Regardless, I do agree with you that comparing creatures for superiority is like comparing apples and oranges and I thought I would give you the support of letting you know you are not alone.

[Sakurako Hino]

While I understand V's view of her state and the Nova's relationship with humans, my point of view is almost an antipode of hers.

One that'd get me in trouble with some Terats here. Hell, I'd get lumped into the "Uppie Sympathizer" or worse "Zip Sympathizer" category.

To put it bluntly, I had been calling Novas, Novas and Humans, well, Humans. But even in my mind that does not sound right. We all are humans. The only thing that seperates us from the rest of the Human population is our node. Our DNA is the same practically (Trust me, I've looked), and for a portion of us, we think the same as the standard Human population. I might have more brain power than most Humans, but I feel no different than I did when I was "merely a zip".

Once I realized that I had something that shouldn't be held over the heads that don't have my gifts, it was then I realized who I am.

I'm a child with a big gun. When I realized that, I fear myself even more than those who fear us.

I don't understand the dichotomy some Novas and Humans have with eash other, I probably never will. Quite frankly I don't want to understand. I have my view, and if there are some that don't like it, tough. It's the way I see things.

[Preston]

Totem, your dog relates to you as its alpha. You are part of its pack. It's world is based on its instincts, and it makes assignments within those limitations.

You chose to assign that dog a place within your family, because you are a sentiant being capable of compassion and expanding your of social bonds. A wolf pack does not make that distinction. It isn't capable of it.

Would you assign the status of 'dog' to a human being?

You also claim that your feelings of superiority are shaped by your native american beliefs. You place yourself in a superior position to them, though. You feed upon them. You (historically) make tools and clothing from them. If one of them preys upon you and ours, you drive them out or kill them.

Yes, you praise their place in the cycle of life. You thank them for providing for your needs, and you try to waste as little as possible, after you kill them. It is a combination of religious fullfillment and survival needs.

Is it really relevant to the relationship to humans and novas?

[Jager]

I have to admit than when I hunt naturally, I feel a certain connection. Not only to my prey, but to the whole environment.

It's been forever since I had a pet. Someone murdered my last one.

[Sakurako Hino]

I have a pet. It's a black cat. She walks around the island mewing and generally scaring off mice. She live a quiet and content life. Quite a divergence to the hectic pace I have at times.

Sometimes I wish I was the cat, not the other way around. -,-

Then again, this is off the subject, but it does describe the fact that simple Analogues do not work for deeper subjects like this.

Now if you excuse me, I gotta feed Neko-chan her tuna breakfast.

[Wakinyan]

Why do things have to be overly complex when it seems very simple. I have a place to fit. Wolves have theirs. Does it give me lordship? I don't think so. Do I want it? No.

A hunter knows it's job is to hunt. A mountain lion is never seen grazing on a hillside for a reason. That is not what it does and it realizes this.

What am I advocating with that statement? Nothing just pointing out something obvious and simple.

[H. 'Machine' Mann]

Quote:

Originally posted by Totem:
Nothing, just pointing out something obvious and simple.

Something obvious and simple which your detractor doesn't agree with and feels he has the right to force you to justify to his satisfaction.

[Preston]

Totem, your title for this section was V got me to thinking. That is how I approached it.

It is neither obvious, nor simple. You are expressing the basis of animist beliefs, and how they may relate to you and your world view.

In your beliefs, what is man's role in the world?

I am not trying to belittle your beliefs, nor asking for any form of justification. I would just like to know.

By the way, do you feel you are an integral part of your nation?

[Wakinyan]

Man's role is actually considered the lowest on the rung. Wanka Tanka (God), Nature and then man.

Man must live from both god and nature in order to survive. His ability to gather food or hunt or create nuclear weapons might seem to place him above all others but the fact still remains. To exist you must have air to breath, Food to eat or at least a universe to exist in. We Novas get to play with these things a little but in the end we are not much different than we started out.

Still seems simple to me.

[Juri 'Salamander' McClendon]

Quote:

Originally posted by Totem:
Man's role is actually considered the lowest on the rung. Wanka Tanka (God), Nature and then man.

I thought it was Wakan Tanka.

[Wakinyan]

I didn't get Nova intellect or great spelling.

I asked and god is spelled Waka Tanka and also Tunka Sila.

Then I got hit on the head.

[Great Monster C]

Totem, as another nova possessing a physical apprearence that seperates me from the norm far more than other novas I feel that I can understand where you are coming from to a greater degree than most.

All of my clothing is custom made, as is the seat in my car. My voice sounds outrageous to most ears and if it wasn't for my quantum-fueled personality I would have trouble interacting with people. Then there is the nature of my appetite. Unless your name happens to be TUM TUM I would happily bet anyone here to an eating contest.

All that being said. I am human. My parents were human. My siblings are human. I was raised with them and I possess their culture, their sensibilities and their morals. Everything that makes me truly me is human; my sense of humor, the books that I enjoy, my hobbies, my profession, my dreams and aspirations and my sexual desires.

You too were raised with human love and human care. Your experiences, until very recently, were human and you still look upon the world with a human mind and heart. Yes, you have gone through some changes. Some difficult ones. But nothing changed your soul.