The questions and the answers

[greyerrant]

[ A video post to the COMP network ]

[ Garviel stares into the screen for a moment his helm removed, his expression... pensive. ]

What defines humanity? At what point is someone so altered they are no longer human, and what emotions can we lose before are are not even remotely humane? I am curious.

Comments

[greyerrant]

Ah, but the xeno-races also have friends and are able to relate to one another in many ways. What makes a human different from a primul, or one of the other races that have been encountered in the Great crusade?

[demifemme]

Right. That sounds kinda like I'm trying to explain. Eternal, immortal, unchanging in the face of changing circumstances... humans are not like that at all. Humans adapt. Demons keep doing the same thing. A demon from a long-dead civilization is still the same demon it was all these centuries ago.

anon voice;

[technomaturgist]

[ Why he should have done a text post: verbal backspace doesn't exist. ]

Even if you are wholly human in mind... a monstrous appearance is all others will see. A monstrous form cannot annul your humanity... but others will treat you as a monster, regardless.

[ He knows this firsthand. He wears his mask constantly for a reason, Garvi.

Given, not always true.

But this is Ferrus's worldview. And he's dead to rights honest about it. ]

[all_wound_up]

I... I don't know. I never knew there was anything like that out there.

[echo_of_a_jedi]

That's as good a compliment as I could have asked for, then.

[greyerrant]

Well, now you do. I suppose that is educational.

[greyerrant]

I miss him.

[greyerrant]

You seem to know a lot about them. [ Suspicion tinges his voice. ]

Re: anon voice;

[greyerrant]

Yes, I know. I will be a monster to so many mortals as long as I exist.

[demifemme]

*Oopsies!*

Where I come from, the world is dead. It's been replaced by a smaller, weirder world-in-waiting called the Vortex World. There are only a handful of human survivors, and the Vortex World is overrun by demons. I learned a lot just from surviving.

anon voice;

[technomaturgist]

...Yes.

But a savior to them and many more?

[ Astartes, saviors of humanity.

He's trying to keep you from moping, since... you've known fear, now, and he's not sure what else is new. ...He's not sure how to deal with a mopey Cerberus. ]

[epicbraille]

In the broadest possible sense, humanity could be defined as the human race itself, or the study of human culture.

[ But given that second question, Snake is willing to bet Garviel wasn't looking for an answer like that. ]

Are you familiar with the Locke's Socks paradox? It's also more commonly known as the Ship of Theseus.

[all_wound_up]

I'm sorry... I don't think I have the answers you're looking for.

[greyerrant]

Don't feel bad about it.

Re: anon voice;

[greyerrant]

You seem to know a great deal about me....

[greyerrant]

No, tell me about it.

[greyerrant]

That sounds remarkably like Istvaan III, after the virus bombing.

anon voice;

[technomaturgist]

Does it matter?

[ Flustered, slightly, but trying very hard to throw you off. ]

[maybe_a_king]

I believe all that matters is if you feel human or not. The form does not matter so much as the soul itself.

[greyerrant]

I'm not sure I believe in a soul.

Re: anon voice;

[greyerrant]

I haven't spoken to someone with your voice before. I'd remember.

[maybe_a_king]

Then do you believe in your own thoughts and feelings?

[greyerrant]

Well, of course. I can perceive those.

[maybe_a_king]

And do those feel human to you?

[greyerrant]

How would I know? I was recently questioned about my inability to feel fear, and then... I felt it upon me due to the sorcerous nature of our foe. It was... unpleasant.