Heavens BBS | text

[drops_acid]

Date: July 19th
From: Anonymous


How would you define the word monster?


[A few recent conversations have gotten her thinking about certain things and she's genuinely curious about the answers she might get. Cardia is well aware that there are a few people who do know her secret and could probably guess that this is from her. But she's not brave enough to ask something like this without anonymity to hide behind.]

Comments

Re: Text; Aditi

[drops_acid]

That's a broad definition.
A lot of things are monsters in that case.

[bussounoshima]

To some people, yes.

[drops_acid]

I see.
So something could be a monster to one person but not to another.
That's an interesting way to look at it.

[bussounoshima]

Once you understand something- or someone-, it stops being frightening. Like the darkness, we fear what we don't know.
Fear affects how we perceive things. Once it's removed, there aren't any monsters. There are animals, there are machines, there are people. Sometimes they're doing terrible things, sometimes they aren't.

[drops_acid]

That sounds like you don't believe there are any monsters at all.
Just things that people don't understand.

[bussounoshima]

They exist in people's perception of things. In the end, it's just a word.

Have you found your own answer yet?

[drops_acid]

Just a word?
Then let me ask you something different.
If a creature is dangerous to others simply by existing, what would you call it?

Not in the least.
There's too many different answers.
I have no idea which of them is right.

[bussounoshima]

"Unfortunate". I'd prefer to call it by it's name.

The only right answer is the one you decide for yourself. Some of the people answering you are going to be idiots or liars, so don't just accept what people tell you.

[drops_acid]

And that unfortunate creature, do you think it has a right to exist?
Even though it might harm others by doing so?

And I don't see what anyone would gain by lying about this. I'm only asking opinions.

[bussounoshima]

[A little naive for a monster, Sharak thinks...]

People hurt each other every day and yet they are allowed to continue living.
Who is to say others have a greater right to exist than that unfortunate creature?

[drops_acid]

[So naive]

I suppose that is true.
But if there is no one who can decide such things, how would someone know whether they have the right to exist?

[bussounoshima]

All life has the right to exist. Whether or not your life is worth continuing, however, if something you have to decide for yourself.
Other people have their own opinions and sometimes they're worth listening to. But in the end, the decision has to be your own.

[drops_acid]

I don't know whether I agree with all of that.
But I'll think about what you told me.
Thank you.

[bussounoshima]

You don't have to agree with everything I say. Whether or not you believe me is also your own decision.
Feel free to contact me if you want to talk again. I'd like to better understand this "monster" of yours.

[drops_acid]

You've definitely given me a lot to think about.
I wouldn't want to be a bother, but if you really don't mind then I might take you up on that offer someday.