opnet [OpNet] Matters of the Heart

[Ghostwriter]

We are novas.

Some of us inspire fear, anger, terror and hatred just by our very existence.

Others of us inspire love, desire, passion and devotion by the same method.

Nietzsche's Thus Spoke Zarathustra speaks of the superman destroying the idea of the everyman by dint of his existence, by the sheer joy of his presence.

Is it wrong to inspire love and devotion in baselines by virtue of who and what we are, or merely the natural course of things?

[Wakinyan]

We are, we do, what more is there?

Seriously Saimhe unless we where made by unknown artificial means then we are doing what every other living thing does. Find it's place in the order of things.

[billy Horrorshow]

I say yes, which is why I fucking work my ass off. Then at least I can say that I'm worth the devotion.

Then again, that's my personal, somehow hypocritical, unpopular opinion.

And some would say that Nietzche speaks of Superman destroying the idea of the everyman. Or at least that's the way the joke goes now-a-days.

[Xeno]

It is probably not wrong to be what one is, but what one is may increase one's capacity to do wrong, potentially to the point that action is required to avoid doing such. This is asserted from personal experience.

Consensus indicates that logical/emotional autonomy is valuable. Its removal could be considered unfortunate in many circumstances.

[Edward]

I think it is okay as long as what we do with that devotion is worthwhile. I can only hope that my existence inspires some to treat our world better. If I have devotion that is more devout than that received by humans who work for the good of our planet that is because I am special. I am different, so the devotion I receive is different. I still must earn it though.

Those lazy slugs that sit lazily, accepting worship and do nothing to justify it, do nothing to make the world a better place. They should just die.

[Bastian]

To do so, Cull, would be to deprive the future of much creativity, art, and consequence. Not everything that is seen as productive today will have lasting value, nor is a precieved wasted moment really a waste.

It is important that we all build and grow. We are destined to do this in differing manners, and not always be understood, moment by moment, by those around us. That is why we must each be the masters/mistresses of our own evolution.

I think Billy Horrorshow is a fine example of this. No matter how little I may understand him now, I am sure there will come a dark time in my life were it will all make sense and I will laugh. What gift is better than that?

[Jager]

Quote:

Originally posted by Regan 'Saimhe' McLachlan:
Nietzsche's Thus Spoke Zarathustra speaks of the superman destroying the idea of the everyman by dint of his existence, by the sheer joy of his presence.

And Nietzsche killed himself. The dude had problems.
One, we are not supermen, we are novas (as you pointed out) and we are very flawed creations.
Two, we really shouldn't be taking credit for other people's lack of self-worth. They dug that hole and we aren't going to fill it in for them.

Quote:

Originally posted by Regan 'Saimhe' McLachlan:
Is it wrong to inspire love and devotion in baselines by virtue of who and what we are, or merely the natural course of things?

Well, we do it, or at least some of us do by our very existance. Also, if we chose, we can control our presence and, no, I'm not talking about dorming. I can punch a finger through steel plate and I can pick up an egg. In the same vein, I can captivate an audience for hours talking about the miracle of belly button lint, or walk down a street without drawing attention.

If you don't limit yourself by merely assuming "Well, I'm just this way", you can do wonders.

[Walker]

Saimhe I would have to say that it is not wrong to inspire the love and devotion of Baselines. In fact if all Baselines felt inspired to at least love us then the world would be a much nicer place.

[David 'Dr. Troll' Smith]

Fear, anger, terror, hatred, love, desire, passion, and devotion...

Most of this is just a reflection of us being celebrities. Some of it is a reflection of our being different, or of racism. Popular girl “X” at school doesn’t like me, and it can’t be my fault, so I’ll blame someone else.

If every nova were to leave the planet tomorrow other groups of people would be made “stars” (as opposed to “novas”), and other groups would be made scapegoats. If novas didn’t exist then they would have to be created (and have been in the past).

[billy Horrorshow]

I'm not so sure. When we as Novas see someone atomize a city block, or brings someone back from the Dead or whatever, somewhere in our heads we look at it like: "You know, if I tried hard enough I could do that too."

When a nodeless looks at us do some such thing, they know that they can never do what we've done. There's a separation. Simple Fame isn't what we're discussing.

Hell, even people can look at Celebrities and say, hey, I could do that or I could look that good if I got breast/lip/ass implants, blah blah blah. Claiming that Nodeless celebrities were/will be the same as us is a sad simplification.

I'm just saying that the kind of "celebrity" that a Nova is isn't quite what a normal celebrity is.

Man, that's confusing as hell.

,,

Quote:

Originally posted by David 'Dr. Troll' Smith:

If novas didn’t exist then they would have to be created (and have been in the past).

I don't know about you but I sure as hell don't feel like a bit of made up Mythology. Social Relativism doesn't really apply. In 1995 who were the Novas?

Ack. Semantic psycho babble winning.

:runs away before being sucked in further:

[Ghostwriter]

I guess what I'm trying to say is that we are gods and monsters made flesh. Not mythological creatures, but divinity that walks, talks and inspires.

I once heard a Terat say that novas gave baselines something to believe in once again. Given I was still with Utopia at the time, I barely paid attention, but since I have become an independent, I've had time to mull over it.

Y'know what? He's right. We've given religion a shot in the arm, for good and for ill, created Heaven and Hell on earth and reminded the baselines that life doesn't revolve around them.

Pretty scary, huh?

[Tarot]

You orginally asked if it was okay that we inspire others, although you said baselines. I don't see anything wrong with inspiring others. Then you said we're divine. Sorry but I don't feel it. Half the people here are so wrapped up in their own little fantasies they wouldn't know reality if it were to pop and busted a cap on them yet you want me to believe they're divine?

Neshomeleh, in the scars of an elite fresh from the ruins of a village she destroyed with quantum lightning bought with a 7-figure salary its a little hard to spot the divine. What do you feel when someone asks in a matter of fact voice what their purpose is, as if a node granted insight into the divine plan. Have you ever breathed life into the sweet mouth of a teen too ignorant to have asked where the rip tides were while realizing that, at that moment, nothing from the node matters as much as knowing the simple skill of CPR?

I love my life but there are times I am greatful for more than just the chub in the brain.

[Tarot]

Well cap this thread and call it closed.

[size:5]<font face="Monotype Corsiva">Tarot was here!</font>

[Jager]

[size:5]<font face="Monotype Corsiva"> Tarot, what do you consider divine? At what point does reality alteration become that level for you, if it ever does?</font>

[Ghostwriter]

Quote:

Originally posted by Tarot:
You orginally asked if it was okay that we inspire others, although you said baselines. I don't see anything wrong with inspiring others. Then you said we're divine. Sorry but I don't feel it. Half the people here are so wrapped up in their own little fantasies they wouldn't know reality if it were to pop and busted a cap on them yet you want me to believe they're divine?

Neshomeleh, in the scars of an elite fresh from the ruins of a village she destroyed with quantum lightning bought with a 7-figure salary its a little hard to spot the divine. What do you feel when someone asks in a matter of fact voice what their purpose is, as if a node granted insight into the divine plan. Have you ever breathed life into the sweet mouth of a teen too ignorant to have asked where the rip tides were while realizing that, at that moment, nothing from the node matters as much as knowing the simple skill of CPR?

I love my life but there are times I am greatful for more than just the chub in the brain.

I'm not saying we are gods in the Judeo-Islamo-Christian sense, but gods in the old pagan sense, beings with great powers but as fallible as everyone else.

No one is perfect, but novas have given baselines something to believe in again.

[Tarot]

Ah, so the theads not quite ready to be put to rest yet.

It never does, Jager. What you call 'reality alteration', I call opportunity. If the opportunity is wasted then what?

Saimhe, I have to wonder why you want to use a a definition created by dead people that could never know the things you know. What's the point?

People believe in all sorts of things. They always have. Some beliefs are chosen more wisely than others.

[Sakurako Hino]

I'm not a god. I'm a spirit in flesh. Nothing more, nothing less. My gifts are just that. My only requirement in life is to understand myself.

That is all that matters.

Let me propose this.

Isn't it that no matter who you are, you influence the world and reality in some way? No matter how hard you try not to?

[Jager]

Quote:

Originally posted by Tarot:
It never does, Jager. What you call 'reality alteration', I call opportunity. If the opportunity is wasted then what?

Well, that is one of the major differences between us. I may not believe we are divinities, but I am open to the possibilities of all that we might become.

If you waste enough opportunities, you eventually run out.

Quote:

Originally posted by Tarot:
People believe in all sorts of things. They always have. Some beliefs are chosen more wisely than others.

Care to elaborate?

[Tarot]

Let me try to put it another way, Jager. What would you do if you could share the insight of the one? All powerful, all knowing.

Most people think they know what they would do but do they really? To be in that place would mean understanding the purpose of everything and to know how each piece fits in with another piece and another, and another, into infinity. If you could appreciate it all then what could you possibly be tempted to do that wouldn't be unbearably selfish or irrelevant?

Quote:

Originally posted by Jager:

Care to elaborate?

Sure. Take a moment to think everything you know to be true and everything you believe in. Now realize you're likely wrong about most, if not all, of those things.

Now what?

[Jager]

Now what?

Open your thinking to understand that existance is but a perceptive crutch that allows us to function in a communal world.

The more I learn, the more things I see that I don't know. Speculation is not the enemy of belief, though. I can both have faith and search for the answers.

[Tarot]

I think your definition of existence is a little wonky, concentrating on thought will exclude the heart, but you seem to be going in the right direction.

From that postion you should be able to understand why 'reality alteration' in all its forms and variations isn't part of my test for the divine.

[Jager]

Nice shot, Gumby, but no cookie. You are still running around with those psychodelic blinders on, but I'm patient.

Also, it really determines what you consider divine. After all, if you create a totally new sentient lifeform, but without giving it a purpose, are you still not Divine to your creations? You probably think not, but others would and to your creations, you would still be their Creator, if not the Supreme Being.

[Tarot]

No, it wasn't a shot Jager. You seem to have gotten over that so we're still good. Now where's this sentient lifeform new from the forge of creation? Does Alchemist create strands of DNA from nothingness, wrap them in a cell then nurture them to new and sentient life? Does Ashnod evolve nothingness to somethingness in the blink of an eye? You talk semantics like Dreamer does.

I truthfully don't know which I find more astounding. Your views on creation, or that you could believe creation without purpose is possible. I'm not your Gumby either way. And those cookies are a little stale.

[Xeno]

Things may have reasons without purposes.

One might create life to understand or experience the process, while holding little regard for the final product of the activity.

What distinguishes spontaneous generation of a being from natural procreation, in terms of divine regard for the progenitor?

[Jager]

Two things to consider:

Conduit, who is a being of copper infused with quantum energies. What is he? Animal, vegetable, or mineral.

Ian "Very Bad" Blakely is a living statue of some unknown substance. We can only theorize at what level he is still existing. He has some level of conciousness, yet is non-responsive. There is a mind there unreachable by the most able telepaths at Project Utopia's disposal.

His body has been described as impenetrable ... unbreakable.

There is so much out there we don't know, yet you use the word never.

[Slattern]

Quote:

Originally posted by Jager:

Ian "Very Bad" Blakely is a living statue of some unknown substance.

"Unknown"? Not quite sweetie, not quite. Some people know what he is. And I know what he's become. It's obvious if you think about it.

[kestrel404]

Quote:

Originally posted by Tarot:
Does Alchemist create strands of DNA from nothingness, wrap them in a cell then nurture them to new and sentient life?

Oh, right! I should go check on that one. Be right back...

[Jager]

Quote:

Originally posted by Slattern:
"Unknown"? Not quite sweetie, not quite. Some people know what he is. And I know what he's become. It's obvious if you think about it.

Come on now, give us a spoiler. It isn't obvious to everyone, now is it?

[Conduit]

Quote:

Originally posted by Jager:

Conduit, who is a being of copper infused with quantum energies. What is he? Animal, vegetable, or mineral.

D) Sex God. You heard me

On that note, I've always wondered how my body worked. I never went to a clinic, there's one in Phoenix. I considered it when I first erupted, but I decided that it might be better to discover for my self. At the time I didn't want to be told what to do or who I was. They are all shifty eyed too.

One day I'd like to be checked out though. By somebody I trust.

[kestrel404]

Well, if you find yourself in Chicago, I can give you a checkup.

I'm mildly curious, but I suspect that you're just solid copper running on pure quantum weirdness. That's how the last hunk of walking metal I got a look at worked (though he wasn't always like that).

[Slattern]

Quote:

Originally posted by Jager:

Quote:

Originally posted by Slattern:
"Unknown"? Not quite sweetie, not quite. Some people know what he is. And I know what he's become. It's obvious if you think about it.

Come on now, give us a spoiler. It isn't obvious to everyone, now is it?

Sorry sweetness, but how about you think about it and let me know what you think?

Just re-read a bit:

Quote:

Mr. Jager, it is not so much what I did that I regret. If I had killed him while errupting, I would accept that and move on. It was his choice. I was there within him as he made the choice. I openned the door to great power for him when I errupted. He chose to step through, even knowing that he would be lost...

How can someone do that? Choose to be something completely inhuman forever? I do not mean inhuman like novas of the Teragen. I mean without a trace of what we call sentience remaining? How does someone choose that?

[Conduit]

Quote:

Originally posted by Alchemist:
Well, if you find yourself in Chicago, I can give you a checkup.

I'm mildly curious, but I suspect that you're just solid copper running on pure quantum weirdness. That's how the last hunk of walking metal I got a look at worked (though he wasn't always like that).

Will do.

I've long suspected that this is the situation, but I'd still like to get an official answer on it. Especially considering that I haven't always been this way. I was once capable of controlling the transformation. I've also done some light research on the OpNet and I'm heavy enough to be the right density to be 100% copper.

[Preston]

Ms. McLachlan, we also inspire a great deal by our actions. Humanity is capable of judging us by our actions as well as our mere being.

It is a tragedy that novas blame baseline humanity for understanding that certain novas are a threat to their existance and fearing them for it.

[Tarot]

"Our" actions? Judging "us"?

Nice.

[Sakurako Hino]

"...we also inspire a great deal by our actions. Humanity is capable of judging us by our actions as well as our mere being.

It is a tragedy that novas blame baseline humanity for understanding that certain novas are a threat to their existance and fearing them for it."

While I don't blame them, their actions also make us judge them.

It's a two way street, Preston. Humanity from what I gather respects ME. At least from the Humans I've been around. I am sure though, that if anything happened with or to a group of Novas, I would be lumped into the general consensus on our race. It's that "Fear Card" you like to offer up from time to time.

It's the same way around. Except I can judge Individuals, not the whole. I hate CoMA, but I love my neighbors down the way.

I act in a way to others, in a way that I would wish others to look upon me in a favorible light. I don't blame others for the way they view Novakind. It's when they act upon it that scares me.

[Longboard]

due, it's youre actions that inspire people to feel the feelings their um.. feeling. The super duper powers just totally help out when comes to the whole actions inspiring attitudes.

See you in the line-up dudes