I find it rather telling...
Feb. 20th, 2005 12:21 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
x_maker...how the perceptions of responsibility go around here. After a night's thought on the subject, I came to this conclusion. While the appropriate teachers and staff are bound by ethical considerations and vocation to look out for our best interests, it stands to some argument as to who should decide what those best interests are. In Amanda's case, it was the choice to risk her own health for something she obviously thought was worth it. Argue the priorities all you want, it was still her decision to make, proven by the simple fact that she did it.
Conversely, I get asked to rush to the medlab to assist with a technical matter, and spend the better part of eight hours running simulations on the computer software and burying myself in schematics and test data. When I've got two roommates upstairs who nearly ripped each other to shreds a few days ago, and could possibly be doing the same right now, I don't know. Now, much like Amanda - I like using my power to help people. So far, it doesn't give me any nosebleeds or migraines or what have you. I think my record has been staying up working for fifty-three hours, but that's another matter entirely.
The point is, it's my choice to do so. I don't consider myself obligated in any way to use what I can do to be of service - I do it because I choose to. If there was the possibility of harm, that would affect my decision - but it would still be my decision. To try and dictate when and where it shouldn't be used, I see that as no different than slapping someone in chains - because you take away that aspect of choice.
It's no secret - I don't like the inhibitors. I detest "the Box". I hate the concept of image inducers. But I know that in the first two cases, they are sometimes medically necessary. In the latter, it's simply a matter of fear and vanity, and a choice that's up to the individual to use. But imagine telling someone "If you're going to go out in public, you MUST use the image inducer". What does that tell them other than "You're not fit for going out as you are. You are not good enough."?
Despite everyone's favorite buzzword of "equality" - the simple fact remains that we are not equal with those generations that came before us. Our powers do define us, like it or not. The same way that a basketball player being tall defines who he is. To try and take away our choice as to their appropriate use is no different than putting mutants' names on a registration list, or mandating separate lunch counters and drinking fountains.
I am a mutant, and I will not be ashamed of it. In the outside world OR here. That gives me an edge, an advantage, a natural gift that makes me unique. And because it is mine, the choice of how to use it is mine - and I will deal with the consequences or merits that result. While I appreciate the ability I have here to refine it and train it more than I can express - in the end, I will not surrender my freedom as to how I use it. But I suppose that's a choice everyone has to make for themselves.
If anyone wants to think more on this, I have some great books to read on the subject.
Conversely, I get asked to rush to the medlab to assist with a technical matter, and spend the better part of eight hours running simulations on the computer software and burying myself in schematics and test data. When I've got two roommates upstairs who nearly ripped each other to shreds a few days ago, and could possibly be doing the same right now, I don't know. Now, much like Amanda - I like using my power to help people. So far, it doesn't give me any nosebleeds or migraines or what have you. I think my record has been staying up working for fifty-three hours, but that's another matter entirely.
The point is, it's my choice to do so. I don't consider myself obligated in any way to use what I can do to be of service - I do it because I choose to. If there was the possibility of harm, that would affect my decision - but it would still be my decision. To try and dictate when and where it shouldn't be used, I see that as no different than slapping someone in chains - because you take away that aspect of choice.
It's no secret - I don't like the inhibitors. I detest "the Box". I hate the concept of image inducers. But I know that in the first two cases, they are sometimes medically necessary. In the latter, it's simply a matter of fear and vanity, and a choice that's up to the individual to use. But imagine telling someone "If you're going to go out in public, you MUST use the image inducer". What does that tell them other than "You're not fit for going out as you are. You are not good enough."?
Despite everyone's favorite buzzword of "equality" - the simple fact remains that we are not equal with those generations that came before us. Our powers do define us, like it or not. The same way that a basketball player being tall defines who he is. To try and take away our choice as to their appropriate use is no different than putting mutants' names on a registration list, or mandating separate lunch counters and drinking fountains.
I am a mutant, and I will not be ashamed of it. In the outside world OR here. That gives me an edge, an advantage, a natural gift that makes me unique. And because it is mine, the choice of how to use it is mine - and I will deal with the consequences or merits that result. While I appreciate the ability I have here to refine it and train it more than I can express - in the end, I will not surrender my freedom as to how I use it. But I suppose that's a choice everyone has to make for themselves.
If anyone wants to think more on this, I have some great books to read on the subject.
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no subject
Date: 2005-02-20 03:43 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-02-20 03:49 pm (UTC)But not everyone has what we have - and we've got to recognize that singular uniqueness as something that defines us, both as individuals and as a people. You tried to explain it to me, what it meant to be Cheyenne. It's how I see being a mutant. But being Cheyenne wouldn't mean anything if, say, you'd been raised in a different culture. Whereas my being a mutant is something permanent, a physical part of me. That's why I identify with it, it's something I can say is mine without anyone else to take the credit or responsibility for it.
no subject
Date: 2005-02-20 04:59 pm (UTC)I am Cheyenne regardless of whether I am a mutant or not, just as Kitty will always be Jewish. You are always you, powers or not. being a mutant would not mean anything if you weren't one.
no subject
Date: 2005-02-20 05:16 pm (UTC)And there's nothing about being a mutant that is any more important as far as labels and self identificaiton go than being a student or a daughter or a friend or a dancer or a anything, at least not for me. If you want that to be the most important thing to you, that's fine, but when you start saying that we should all be saying "I'm a mutant and that's the thing about me that's important" then you take away our right to chose what we feel is important about ourselves. I'm not saying deny the fact that we're mutants, I'm saying embrace it, and embrace everything else about ourselves.
Yes, I'm a mutant, but that's not all that I am. Yes, I'm Jewish, but that's not all that I am. Yes, I'm a girl, but that is not all that I am. I'm Kitty, and there's a lot of things which make me up, so why should I deny any of them, or elevate any of them.
Being able to walk through walls is something most people can't do, but most people can't stand on point for an hour straight or calculate fifth order differentials or read Hebrew. So what. Everybody can do at least one thing that most people can't do, even 'just' humans.
no subject
Date: 2005-02-20 07:47 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-02-20 10:44 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-02-20 11:42 pm (UTC)For the record, on this issue, my mind has changed once.
The offer is a standing one.
no subject
Date: 2005-02-21 11:45 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-02-21 11:54 am (UTC)Oh, come to a whole phil class. You might even like it. We're very logical.
No apology necessary to me. I'll take thoughtful discussion instead.
no subject
Date: 2005-02-21 01:55 pm (UTC)But if I have a free period, I may see about auditing a class, if that's okay.
no subject
Date: 2005-02-21 02:08 pm (UTC)Just thought the non-emotive approach would appeal is all.
Like I said, the offer is standing. Feel free to drop in.
no subject
Date: 2005-02-21 02:10 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-02-21 02:19 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-02-21 02:22 pm (UTC)Which is not to say that I'm opposed to it. I have been known from time to time to be rather vocal about my opinions. And learning how to effectively back them up would be advantageous.
no subject
Date: 2005-02-21 02:30 pm (UTC)I would very loosely define philosophy as the application of logic to the question why. While it is a humanities course, it is not opinion based. Argument, on the other hand, we do use.
no subject
Date: 2005-02-21 02:31 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-02-21 02:36 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-02-21 02:48 pm (UTC)I'm making dinner right now so you could come on down and see for yourself. *is not at all attempting to dragoon an assistant, really*
no subject
Date: 2005-02-21 02:49 pm (UTC)I am attempting to fight for control of the PDA and am being told to put it away and eat. Finicky cat.
no subject
Date: 2005-02-21 02:52 pm (UTC)You can come experience the process tomorrow. Say about 4?
no subject
Date: 2005-02-21 04:10 am (UTC)Part of the reason Amanda was taken off healing people is because she was literally draining herself dry to do it. To the point she was seriously endangering her health on minor matters that would heal just fine on their own. The other was that we were concerned with her perception of herself, and the perception others had of her, as nothing more than a healing machine. That was a bad reason for her to choose to help, which is why we stepped in.
Helping is good, but why you're helping is sometimes more important. And what it costs should always be considered.
no subject
Date: 2005-02-21 08:46 am (UTC)I don't understand. The outcome's the same either way.
no subject
Date: 2005-02-21 09:04 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-02-21 09:10 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-02-21 10:11 am (UTC)And... well, Doug made a choice a few months ago to plan on taking a bullet for me. He wound up getting yelled at a lot, not for wanting to help, but for how he did it. Obviously this isn't the same situation, but... well, the other side of the reasons mattering is that even with good reasons it's possible to make a bad choice.
no subject
Date: 2005-02-21 10:15 am (UTC)And all I can come up with is that I don't really know the answer. I think having an ability to do something gives you the right to choose how you use that ability. It also comes with dealing with the consequences. Amanda's got a bad headache, among other things. I think that ought to be consequence enough, and that no one else - doctors included - has a right to add to that.
no subject
Date: 2005-02-21 11:44 am (UTC)Thanks.