In lieu of actual content
Jan. 8th, 2006 07:34 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
greybetaOkay, I keep wanting to organize my clothes and apartment, but people keep calling up with:
"D2, could you pick me up from the airport?"
What's a white mage to do? A friend in need...
Oh, and you remember how I said my high school inner circle is secretly playing a Final Fantasy style RPG? Well...
D2: So yeah you need to do the dishes before the red mage and white mage arrive.
Mike: Actually, half the dishes are done.
D2: I don't believe you. Put the black mage on the phone, rogue.
Andy: Nope, white mage, half the dishes are done!
D2: What about the skillets?
Andy: No, those are still in the sink.
D2: We need as many clean skillets as possible. Black mage, could you clean them in preparation of our feast tonight?
Andy: Alright, white mage.
D2: What is this show?
John: Curb Your Enthusiasm. It's great!
D2: Why is that guy coughing?
John: He has his wife's pubic hair stuck in his throat.
D2: I think I just may have to check this show out...
John: Rent a season or two from Blockbuster. It's so funny!
D2: Red mage, this shirt describes why I am not a vegetarian.
John: Let me see what it says, white mage. "Animals Taste Good." Heh, that's pretty funny!
D2: Alright, Mr. Drymon, it was nice seeing you. John and I are headed out.
John: We'll be back sometime late tonight, Dad.
Mr. Drymon: Okay! Have fun and WATCH OUT FOR THAT--
[D2 opens the door and a cat runs out]
Mr. Drymon: Cat...
D2: You know the white mage doesn't buy alcohol right?
John: No worries, the red mage will buy the beer.
D2: Should we call them and ask what they like?
John: Not really. I'm an expert on beer.
D2: Oh yeah, you know everything. You're the red mage.
John: It'll help me become an Episcopal priest down the road.
D2: We need to find some suitable meat.
John: Premade patties or...
D2: Hmmmm, 32 premade hamburger patties for twelve bucks.
John: That will work.
D2: Oh yeah, we need to exchange those animes back, Chelsea.
Chelsea: Yeah, Daniel, you mind if I drop by your house.
D2: Actually, I'm just getting out of Wal Mart right now...
Chelsea: Oh...what are you doing tonight?
D2: Going over to Michael McKinney's apartment to fry some hamburgers for the night.
Chelsea: Hmmmm...
D2: Well, I could always drop by your house. Your anime conveniently happens to be in the trunk of my car.
Chelsea: Do you know how to get to my house?
D2: Yeah, give me a second. John Drymon has a pen and a piece of paper to write down directions.
Chelsea: Okay...
John: Hello, Chelsea! Tell me...
D2: Wait, let me get this straight, blogs are destroying literature?
John: No, it's all modern technology. Instant Messenger is the biggest culprit, but there's also cell phones, too. No one knows how to write letters anymore.
D2: Yeah, but I don't know if blogging is destroying literature as we know it. I mean I write fairly well on mine.
John: But blogging like that won't catch with the masses.
D2: Then that's the problem with the masses, not blogging.
John: I still say blogging is not a valid form of communication. It's destroying our ability to communicate.
D2: How so?
John: Every time I tell a story, it gets better. Like the Prague hooker story. Nowadays, people are losing their abilities to tell story because they just say "Read my blog."
D2: Do you read my blog?
[Chelsea and D2 exchange anime back]
D2: So what did you think?
Chelsea: Actually, I've been so busy I haven't had time to watch it.
[D2 hands his anime back to Chelsea]
D2: Take this back with you to Conway.
Chelsea: No, no! We should try to do this over the summer when we're not so busy.
D2: So what have you been doing?
Chelsea: Well, I did a lot of socializing with old friends.
John: Oh yes, the "break" is really not a "break."
Chelsea: Indeed, I've just had the past two days to myself.
D2: Doing what?
Chelsea: Watching Veronica Mars.
John: What's Veronica Mars?
D2: Veronica Mars is a popular TV show. You wouldn't know about it since you don't watch TV.
John: What channel is it on?
Chelsea: UPN.
D2: Uh oh, Johnson has a low opinion of UPN.
John: A very low opinion of UPN.
D2: You're asking me to describe a "5" on a scale of 1-10?
John: Yes, name a girl who's a "5" based on looks alone.
D2: Okay, well I think [name omitted] is a 7.
John: Really? I'd only give her a 5.
D2: Dang, Johnson! You have high standards.
John: When it comes to looks alone...
D2: I know, I'm just saying your standards are too high.
John: Maybe...
D2: You know, I think we should just use D2's theory of hotness.
John: And what's that?
D2: The binary system. 0 is no, 1 is yes.
John: Now that's pretty harsh.
D2: Dude, would you do her or not? I think that's a much better system.
John: I think that's separate from looks...
D2: I don't think so. I mean 0 means you wouldn't do her on looks alone, while a 1 means you would.
John: So who would be a 0.5 on your scale?
D2: There is no 0.5 in binary! You only have two choices!
John: Well then, a 5 on my scale.
D2: Hmmmm, I think [name omitted] is a 5.
John: Oh yeah, she's totally a 5.
Andy: JOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!
John: RIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!
D2: Well, if it isn't the fighter.
Jameson: Daniel!
D2: Jameson.
John: So yes, we were discussing why blogs are not a valid form of communication.
D2: But John, I think blogs are a very convenient way for your friends to keep up with your life.
John: I'd just rather have you tell me.
Jameson: Yeah, when I ask you "How'd your day go?" and you answer "Have you read my blog?", you should be punched.
D2: Actually, when you ask "How'd your day go?" and I answer "Have you read my blog?" and you answer "No, why don't you just tell me?", then YOU should be punched.
Mike: LOL, that was pwnage right there.
John: But do I want to know without having to sludge through your blog.
D2: Okay, for you John, since we've been friends for kindergarten, I'll tell you straight up.
Jameson: What about me?
D2: Hmmmm, I'll answer "Good. Read my blog for more details."
Andy: What are you doing?
D2: Taking a picture of all the food we're going to eat tonight. For my blog.
Aaron: So you want me to take a picture of you and the hamburgers?
D2: For my blog.
Aaron: Okay, you want me to take an action shot of you and Andy?
D2: For my blog.
Andy: I'll grill the burgers.
D2: Leave it to the black and white mage to do the cooking.
John: The red mage knows how to cook, too.
D2: I guess only magic users know how to cook.
Aaron: Why are you standing so far away from the pan?
Andy: Because I don't want to get...
Aaron: Ow!
Andy: Burned...
D2: Do you guys have a peeler?
Aaron: Somewhere.
D2: I can't find it...
Aaron: Did you check here?
D2: Where it's supposed to be?
[Aaron opens the drawer and the peeler is there]
Aaron: Shocking, I know.
D2: Yeah John you just literally spread out the...
John: I know, I know. Cookies aren't that hard, Daniel.
D2: Sorry, old friend, I can get a little bossy at times.
John: Just a little.
Andy: I can grill, it's just that I usually don't have enough money to spend on meat.
D2: Yeah, that's the problem with us poor college boys. We can spend money on meat so often.
Jameson: Unless you have Asian parents.
D2: Heh, I am a lazy, spoiled brat after all.
Mike: What's Syriana about?
D2: Oil politics. But John could probably give you a better description.
John: It's about how America is better off controlling a banana republic than working with a true democracy in the Middle East.
Andy: Yeah, it has a lot of random threads.
Jameson: Doesn't sound like something Mike would watch.
Mike: I think I'd rather play FFXI.
Andy: Shouldn't we leave now?
D2: You think it's going to sell out or something?
John: Oh yeah, a movie like Syriana is going to sell out at 9:45pm on a Thursday evening.
D2: Yep, ya kno us Arkie hicks like watching 'em pictures that make us, uh, think, ya know?
John: We're the only ones here.
Andy: I'm surprised!
D2: You mean it's NOT sold out?!?
Jameson: You could cut through the sarcasm here with a plastic knife.
D2: Somebody hates us because we arrived right on time.
John: No they wouldn't hate us. We arrived on time.
Jameson: We had one minute to spare!
D2: But I worked at a movie theater. I know how it works around here. If nobody shows up within in ten minutes of a movie starting, they won't start it. It's more cost effective that way.
John: Then maybe you should complain...
D2: That's precisely why I shouldn't complain.
John: Then I'll complain!
Jameson: Yeah! Me too!
Andy: I would, but they already beat me to it.
D2: I liked this movie.
Andy: It was good, sort of random like the reviews said.
Jameson: I feel cheated, there's something about this movie I don't like.
John: Yeah, it wasn't what I was expecting.
D2: I thought it was about explaining the realities of American imperialism. A greyish movie.
Jameson: Greyish movie?
John: He means that there's no black and whites. Which is what it precisely was, an amoral story.
Jameson: An immoral story?
D2: No, an amoral story. As in without morals.
John: I prefer morality tales. Or at least a conclusive conclusion of some sort.
Jameson: But when you've watched enough anime, inconsistent endings become "meh."
D2: Although, I did think the movie was pro-American.
John, Jameson, and Andy: What?!?!?!?
D2: Let me say it again, Syriana is a pro-American movie.
Andy: You JUST said there were no black and whites in the movies, and then you say the movie is pro-American?
D2: The fact that it's pro-American doesn't make it a black and white movie.
John: Dude, I'm pretty socialistic and I found no traces of pro-American sentiment in this movie.
D2: Indeed. But we're obviously going to need to discuss Syriana more in Mike's apartment.
Andy: I'm not sure if I want to talk about Syriana...
D2: Well, let's just get one thing straight. You're wrong, I'm right. And you're never going to change my mind.
Andy: Then I REALLY don't want to discuss Syriana at Mike's apartment.
Mike: So how was the movie?
D2: Good, I liked it. Except now we have a disagreement over it.
Mike: Oh, really? Over what?
John: Daniel is making this ludicrous claim that the movie is pro-American!
D2: Okay, so let's get this straight. Why do you think the movie is anti-American?
Jameson: Well, for one thing, it made you cheer for suicide bombers.
John: Yes, I think the suicide bombers were the most well presented of all the characters.
D2: I don't think so.
John: You don't think the suicide bombers were portrayed well?
D2: No, I just happen to think that they weren't necessarily presented better than others.
Jameson: But the other guys were using corruption.
D2: And yet you sort of cheered for them too. Don't you remember? Corruption is what makes America great.
John: And that's why the movie is anti-American!
D2: No, I think the movie is trying to show you that if you support America, you must also support its corruption.
John: That's a ridiculous thing to say! Especially from you!
D2: No, not at all. I mean, if you vote, you support corruption.
John: Look, I don't stand during the Pledge of Allegiance or the national anthem because fighting them would actually be empowering them.
D2: Alright, let's try to get this straight again. If you buy gas for your car, you support America.
John: I don't particularly think so...
D2: Nope, if you buy gas then you are supporting the system. You'd have to be a treehugger to fight the system.
John: Now you're just setting up the straw man.
Jameson: Yeah, dude, now you're just going to the extremes.
D2: That's because I want you go get off your hedging. You keep changing what you're saying.
Jameson: So do you! It's like you're talking Newspeak from 1984! You can change everything you say to be right.
D2: Hmmm, that is a good analogy. But let me say something: If you are really against America, then you should leave the country.
John: That's even more ludicrous!
Mike: No, it makes perfect sense. Daniel's saying if you choose to live in America, you support America.
[Five seconds of utter and complete silence, as we're all stunned that thethief rogue had an opinion on something. On a political matter no less.]
[D2 runs up the Mike]
D2: Hi five!
Mike: Alright...
[D2 and Mike high five each other]
John: That doesn't make any sense whatsoever! You're saying that if American citizens were involved in 9/11...
D2: Let's just make it a hypothetical case. Say ten years from now a group of American citizens take out a notable building.
John: Okay, now those citizens lived here. They ate here. They drank here. Then they go out and take out a building. Are they really for America?
D2: Technically, you're right. They are anti-American. But, it's like you said Johnson. When you fight the national anthem, you empower it.
John: What?!
D2: Those American citizens would actually galvanize America to action.
Jameson: What?!
Mike: No, it does. If you destroy the White House, America will declare war on terrorism!
[Five seconds later, D2 runs up and high fives Mike again.]
D2: What doesn't kill us makes us stronger...Well, at least if you don't hurt us too badly.
Aaron: I love that! "what doesn't kill America makes us stronger...if you don't hurt us too badly."
Jameson: But it doesn't make any sense.
Mike: To put it more correctly, Daniel is saying that you can reduce our population, but you can't hurt America.
[Fives seconds later, D2 runs up and high fives Mike for the third time.]
John: To get back on topic, it's hard to root for any character.
D2: I actually thought the black lawyer was "the good guy" out of the bunch.
John: But even he fell into the corruption.
D2: And what's so bad about that?
John: It's just so cynical.
D2: Politics is a complicated matter, old friend.
Jameson: I don't like this movie, but I can't explain why...
D2: If you can't explain why, then you actually like the movie.
Jameson: I just...can't explain it!
D2: Dude, then you like the movie, otherwise you could explain it.
John: Give him some time, Daniel! He's trying to think through it.
D2: Very well, then. Explain Jameson, explain why you don't like the movie.
Jameson: It tricked me. It tries to present this amoral story, but it secretly steers you one direction.
D2: And what direction would that be?
Jameson: You want to cheer for the suicide bombers! Against America!
D2: So?
John: So?!
D2: You know, the movie does a wonderful job explaining why both sides have to fight. Capitalism runs on waste. If we want to remain wasteful, then we have to subjugate others to our will.
John: That's a very pessimistic view on reality.
D2: I prefer calling it the truth.
John: So do you believe in saying absurd things just to point out what is not absurd?
D2: I think you need the shock value sometimes, yes.
John: You ever read Heidegger?
D2: A little. Probably not as much as I should for a history major.
John: I thought Heidegger had no merit. He just said random incoherent stuff that people put way too much thought into.
D2: Hmmm, you ever read Kierkegarrd?
John: Yeah.
D2: Then you know that he wrote that he believed in Christianity precisely because it was absurd.
John: I don't agree with him.
D2: Hmmm, Johnson, in physics, how do you know something is moving?
John: How do I know something is moving? By measuring it.
D2: By measuring it against what?
John: I guess...you measure motion against other objects.
D2: Yes, you measure objects that are moving against objects that are not moving, right?
John: You could say that.
D2: In the same way, saying absurd things shows us what's normal.
Aaron: I have to ask, what's normal?
Aaron: Okay, you want me to take a shot of you five guys?
D2: For my blog.
Aaron: I should have gotten this digital camera for Christmas.
Jameson: You're going to be writing about this on your blog, aren't you?
D2: What about it?
Jameson: You're going to change the words I say and make you look like the hero.
D2: It is my blog, after all.
Jameson: Then everyone will cheer and we'll praise Daniel the hero! And we will all be merry and enlightened thanks to Daniel's words!
D2: That's the idea.
"D2, could you pick me up from the airport?"
What's a white mage to do? A friend in need...
| Lawful Good You scored 80% Law vs Chaos and 85% Good vs Evil! |
| Keep this in mind, before you read this and take it too seriously... This test is based on a system of moral absolutes. There is no subjectivity in D&D, as it is based on a fantasy world of heroes and villains. That is why their alignment system is so simple and polar. So naturally, if I were to apply this simple morality to modern day life, things would look very "black and white". That is why I watered down the concept of evil and good. It is very unlikely that anyone who takes this test is a mass murderer or a superhero, so Mean vs. Nice will have to take the place of good vs. evil. Lawfulness and Good in a nutshell: -Lawful characters are organized and rational. They believe that order is important, and they respect authority. They tend to be fairly rigid in their beliefs and behavior, but this is not always the case. -Good characters believe in doing the right thing. They help others when possible, and they are usually friendly. Your Alignment: "Crusader" Lawful Good, eh? I hope you're proud of yourself. It's easy to live by the rules, or to have a strong conscience. But it takes a special kind of person to be able to do both and not go insane. It's possible that you are a bit holier-than-thou, but not necessarily. At least you mean well. Way to go! |
 |
My test tracked 2 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:
|
| Link: The D&D Alignment Test written by ShatteredGlass1 on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the 32-Type Dating Test |
Oh, and you remember how I said my high school inner circle is secretly playing a Final Fantasy style RPG? Well...
D2: So yeah you need to do the dishes before the red mage and white mage arrive.
Mike: Actually, half the dishes are done.
D2: I don't believe you. Put the black mage on the phone, rogue.
Andy: Nope, white mage, half the dishes are done!
D2: What about the skillets?
Andy: No, those are still in the sink.
D2: We need as many clean skillets as possible. Black mage, could you clean them in preparation of our feast tonight?
Andy: Alright, white mage.
D2: What is this show?
John: Curb Your Enthusiasm. It's great!
D2: Why is that guy coughing?
John: He has his wife's pubic hair stuck in his throat.
D2: I think I just may have to check this show out...
John: Rent a season or two from Blockbuster. It's so funny!
D2: Red mage, this shirt describes why I am not a vegetarian.
John: Let me see what it says, white mage. "Animals Taste Good." Heh, that's pretty funny!
D2: Alright, Mr. Drymon, it was nice seeing you. John and I are headed out.
John: We'll be back sometime late tonight, Dad.
Mr. Drymon: Okay! Have fun and WATCH OUT FOR THAT--
[D2 opens the door and a cat runs out]
Mr. Drymon: Cat...
D2: You know the white mage doesn't buy alcohol right?
John: No worries, the red mage will buy the beer.
D2: Should we call them and ask what they like?
John: Not really. I'm an expert on beer.
D2: Oh yeah, you know everything. You're the red mage.
John: It'll help me become an Episcopal priest down the road.
D2: We need to find some suitable meat.
John: Premade patties or...
D2: Hmmmm, 32 premade hamburger patties for twelve bucks.
John: That will work.
D2: Oh yeah, we need to exchange those animes back, Chelsea.
Chelsea: Yeah, Daniel, you mind if I drop by your house.
D2: Actually, I'm just getting out of Wal Mart right now...
Chelsea: Oh...what are you doing tonight?
D2: Going over to Michael McKinney's apartment to fry some hamburgers for the night.
Chelsea: Hmmmm...
D2: Well, I could always drop by your house. Your anime conveniently happens to be in the trunk of my car.
Chelsea: Do you know how to get to my house?
D2: Yeah, give me a second. John Drymon has a pen and a piece of paper to write down directions.
Chelsea: Okay...
John: Hello, Chelsea! Tell me...
D2: Wait, let me get this straight, blogs are destroying literature?
John: No, it's all modern technology. Instant Messenger is the biggest culprit, but there's also cell phones, too. No one knows how to write letters anymore.
D2: Yeah, but I don't know if blogging is destroying literature as we know it. I mean I write fairly well on mine.
John: But blogging like that won't catch with the masses.
D2: Then that's the problem with the masses, not blogging.
John: I still say blogging is not a valid form of communication. It's destroying our ability to communicate.
D2: How so?
John: Every time I tell a story, it gets better. Like the Prague hooker story. Nowadays, people are losing their abilities to tell story because they just say "Read my blog."
D2: Do you read my blog?
[Chelsea and D2 exchange anime back]
D2: So what did you think?
Chelsea: Actually, I've been so busy I haven't had time to watch it.
[D2 hands his anime back to Chelsea]
D2: Take this back with you to Conway.
Chelsea: No, no! We should try to do this over the summer when we're not so busy.
D2: So what have you been doing?
Chelsea: Well, I did a lot of socializing with old friends.
John: Oh yes, the "break" is really not a "break."
Chelsea: Indeed, I've just had the past two days to myself.
D2: Doing what?
Chelsea: Watching Veronica Mars.
John: What's Veronica Mars?
D2: Veronica Mars is a popular TV show. You wouldn't know about it since you don't watch TV.
John: What channel is it on?
Chelsea: UPN.
D2: Uh oh, Johnson has a low opinion of UPN.
John: A very low opinion of UPN.
D2: You're asking me to describe a "5" on a scale of 1-10?
John: Yes, name a girl who's a "5" based on looks alone.
D2: Okay, well I think [name omitted] is a 7.
John: Really? I'd only give her a 5.
D2: Dang, Johnson! You have high standards.
John: When it comes to looks alone...
D2: I know, I'm just saying your standards are too high.
John: Maybe...
D2: You know, I think we should just use D2's theory of hotness.
John: And what's that?
D2: The binary system. 0 is no, 1 is yes.
John: Now that's pretty harsh.
D2: Dude, would you do her or not? I think that's a much better system.
John: I think that's separate from looks...
D2: I don't think so. I mean 0 means you wouldn't do her on looks alone, while a 1 means you would.
John: So who would be a 0.5 on your scale?
D2: There is no 0.5 in binary! You only have two choices!
John: Well then, a 5 on my scale.
D2: Hmmmm, I think [name omitted] is a 5.
John: Oh yeah, she's totally a 5.
Andy: JOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!
John: RIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!
D2: Well, if it isn't the fighter.
Jameson: Daniel!
D2: Jameson.
John: So yes, we were discussing why blogs are not a valid form of communication.
D2: But John, I think blogs are a very convenient way for your friends to keep up with your life.
John: I'd just rather have you tell me.
Jameson: Yeah, when I ask you "How'd your day go?" and you answer "Have you read my blog?", you should be punched.
D2: Actually, when you ask "How'd your day go?" and I answer "Have you read my blog?" and you answer "No, why don't you just tell me?", then YOU should be punched.
Mike: LOL, that was pwnage right there.
John: But do I want to know without having to sludge through your blog.
D2: Okay, for you John, since we've been friends for kindergarten, I'll tell you straight up.
Jameson: What about me?
D2: Hmmmm, I'll answer "Good. Read my blog for more details."
Andy: What are you doing?
D2: Taking a picture of all the food we're going to eat tonight. For my blog.
Aaron: So you want me to take a picture of you and the hamburgers?
D2: For my blog.
Aaron: Okay, you want me to take an action shot of you and Andy?
D2: For my blog.
Andy: I'll grill the burgers.
D2: Leave it to the black and white mage to do the cooking.
John: The red mage knows how to cook, too.
D2: I guess only magic users know how to cook.
Aaron: Why are you standing so far away from the pan?
Andy: Because I don't want to get...
Aaron: Ow!
Andy: Burned...
D2: Do you guys have a peeler?
Aaron: Somewhere.
D2: I can't find it...
Aaron: Did you check here?
D2: Where it's supposed to be?
[Aaron opens the drawer and the peeler is there]
Aaron: Shocking, I know.
D2: Yeah John you just literally spread out the...
John: I know, I know. Cookies aren't that hard, Daniel.
D2: Sorry, old friend, I can get a little bossy at times.
John: Just a little.
Andy: I can grill, it's just that I usually don't have enough money to spend on meat.
D2: Yeah, that's the problem with us poor college boys. We can spend money on meat so often.
Jameson: Unless you have Asian parents.
D2: Heh, I am a lazy, spoiled brat after all.
Mike: What's Syriana about?
D2: Oil politics. But John could probably give you a better description.
John: It's about how America is better off controlling a banana republic than working with a true democracy in the Middle East.
Andy: Yeah, it has a lot of random threads.
Jameson: Doesn't sound like something Mike would watch.
Mike: I think I'd rather play FFXI.
Andy: Shouldn't we leave now?
D2: You think it's going to sell out or something?
John: Oh yeah, a movie like Syriana is going to sell out at 9:45pm on a Thursday evening.
D2: Yep, ya kno us Arkie hicks like watching 'em pictures that make us, uh, think, ya know?
John: We're the only ones here.
Andy: I'm surprised!
D2: You mean it's NOT sold out?!?
Jameson: You could cut through the sarcasm here with a plastic knife.
D2: Somebody hates us because we arrived right on time.
John: No they wouldn't hate us. We arrived on time.
Jameson: We had one minute to spare!
D2: But I worked at a movie theater. I know how it works around here. If nobody shows up within in ten minutes of a movie starting, they won't start it. It's more cost effective that way.
John: Then maybe you should complain...
D2: That's precisely why I shouldn't complain.
John: Then I'll complain!
Jameson: Yeah! Me too!
Andy: I would, but they already beat me to it.
D2: I liked this movie.
Andy: It was good, sort of random like the reviews said.
Jameson: I feel cheated, there's something about this movie I don't like.
John: Yeah, it wasn't what I was expecting.
D2: I thought it was about explaining the realities of American imperialism. A greyish movie.
Jameson: Greyish movie?
John: He means that there's no black and whites. Which is what it precisely was, an amoral story.
Jameson: An immoral story?
D2: No, an amoral story. As in without morals.
John: I prefer morality tales. Or at least a conclusive conclusion of some sort.
Jameson: But when you've watched enough anime, inconsistent endings become "meh."
D2: Although, I did think the movie was pro-American.
John, Jameson, and Andy: What?!?!?!?
D2: Let me say it again, Syriana is a pro-American movie.
Andy: You JUST said there were no black and whites in the movies, and then you say the movie is pro-American?
D2: The fact that it's pro-American doesn't make it a black and white movie.
John: Dude, I'm pretty socialistic and I found no traces of pro-American sentiment in this movie.
D2: Indeed. But we're obviously going to need to discuss Syriana more in Mike's apartment.
Andy: I'm not sure if I want to talk about Syriana...
D2: Well, let's just get one thing straight. You're wrong, I'm right. And you're never going to change my mind.
Andy: Then I REALLY don't want to discuss Syriana at Mike's apartment.
Mike: So how was the movie?
D2: Good, I liked it. Except now we have a disagreement over it.
Mike: Oh, really? Over what?
John: Daniel is making this ludicrous claim that the movie is pro-American!
D2: Okay, so let's get this straight. Why do you think the movie is anti-American?
Jameson: Well, for one thing, it made you cheer for suicide bombers.
John: Yes, I think the suicide bombers were the most well presented of all the characters.
D2: I don't think so.
John: You don't think the suicide bombers were portrayed well?
D2: No, I just happen to think that they weren't necessarily presented better than others.
Jameson: But the other guys were using corruption.
D2: And yet you sort of cheered for them too. Don't you remember? Corruption is what makes America great.
John: And that's why the movie is anti-American!
D2: No, I think the movie is trying to show you that if you support America, you must also support its corruption.
John: That's a ridiculous thing to say! Especially from you!
D2: No, not at all. I mean, if you vote, you support corruption.
John: Look, I don't stand during the Pledge of Allegiance or the national anthem because fighting them would actually be empowering them.
D2: Alright, let's try to get this straight again. If you buy gas for your car, you support America.
John: I don't particularly think so...
D2: Nope, if you buy gas then you are supporting the system. You'd have to be a treehugger to fight the system.
John: Now you're just setting up the straw man.
Jameson: Yeah, dude, now you're just going to the extremes.
D2: That's because I want you go get off your hedging. You keep changing what you're saying.
Jameson: So do you! It's like you're talking Newspeak from 1984! You can change everything you say to be right.
D2: Hmmm, that is a good analogy. But let me say something: If you are really against America, then you should leave the country.
John: That's even more ludicrous!
Mike: No, it makes perfect sense. Daniel's saying if you choose to live in America, you support America.
[Five seconds of utter and complete silence, as we're all stunned that the
[D2 runs up the Mike]
D2: Hi five!
Mike: Alright...
[D2 and Mike high five each other]
John: That doesn't make any sense whatsoever! You're saying that if American citizens were involved in 9/11...
D2: Let's just make it a hypothetical case. Say ten years from now a group of American citizens take out a notable building.
John: Okay, now those citizens lived here. They ate here. They drank here. Then they go out and take out a building. Are they really for America?
D2: Technically, you're right. They are anti-American. But, it's like you said Johnson. When you fight the national anthem, you empower it.
John: What?!
D2: Those American citizens would actually galvanize America to action.
Jameson: What?!
Mike: No, it does. If you destroy the White House, America will declare war on terrorism!
[Five seconds later, D2 runs up and high fives Mike again.]
D2: What doesn't kill us makes us stronger...Well, at least if you don't hurt us too badly.
Aaron: I love that! "what doesn't kill America makes us stronger...if you don't hurt us too badly."
Jameson: But it doesn't make any sense.
Mike: To put it more correctly, Daniel is saying that you can reduce our population, but you can't hurt America.
[Fives seconds later, D2 runs up and high fives Mike for the third time.]
John: To get back on topic, it's hard to root for any character.
D2: I actually thought the black lawyer was "the good guy" out of the bunch.
John: But even he fell into the corruption.
D2: And what's so bad about that?
John: It's just so cynical.
D2: Politics is a complicated matter, old friend.
Jameson: I don't like this movie, but I can't explain why...
D2: If you can't explain why, then you actually like the movie.
Jameson: I just...can't explain it!
D2: Dude, then you like the movie, otherwise you could explain it.
John: Give him some time, Daniel! He's trying to think through it.
D2: Very well, then. Explain Jameson, explain why you don't like the movie.
Jameson: It tricked me. It tries to present this amoral story, but it secretly steers you one direction.
D2: And what direction would that be?
Jameson: You want to cheer for the suicide bombers! Against America!
D2: So?
John: So?!
D2: You know, the movie does a wonderful job explaining why both sides have to fight. Capitalism runs on waste. If we want to remain wasteful, then we have to subjugate others to our will.
John: That's a very pessimistic view on reality.
D2: I prefer calling it the truth.
John: So do you believe in saying absurd things just to point out what is not absurd?
D2: I think you need the shock value sometimes, yes.
John: You ever read Heidegger?
D2: A little. Probably not as much as I should for a history major.
John: I thought Heidegger had no merit. He just said random incoherent stuff that people put way too much thought into.
D2: Hmmm, you ever read Kierkegarrd?
John: Yeah.
D2: Then you know that he wrote that he believed in Christianity precisely because it was absurd.
John: I don't agree with him.
D2: Hmmm, Johnson, in physics, how do you know something is moving?
John: How do I know something is moving? By measuring it.
D2: By measuring it against what?
John: I guess...you measure motion against other objects.
D2: Yes, you measure objects that are moving against objects that are not moving, right?
John: You could say that.
D2: In the same way, saying absurd things shows us what's normal.
Aaron: I have to ask, what's normal?
Aaron: Okay, you want me to take a shot of you five guys?
D2: For my blog.
Aaron: I should have gotten this digital camera for Christmas.
Jameson: You're going to be writing about this on your blog, aren't you?
D2: What about it?
Jameson: You're going to change the words I say and make you look like the hero.
D2: It is my blog, after all.
Jameson: Then everyone will cheer and we'll praise Daniel the hero! And we will all be merry and enlightened thanks to Daniel's words!
D2: That's the idea.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
It seems I've changed
Date: 2006-01-08 04:50 pm (UTC)Re: It seems I've changed
Date: 2006-01-08 05:54 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-01-08 08:15 pm (UTC)Natch
Date: 2006-01-08 08:42 pm (UTC)You scored 30% Law vs Chaos and 75% Good vs Evil!
This test is based on a system of moral absolutes. There is no
subjectivity in D&D, as it is based on a fantasy world of heroes
and villains. That is why their alignment system is so simple and
polar.
So naturally, if I were to apply this simple morality to modern day
life, things would look very "black and white". That is why I watered
down the concept of evil and good. It is very unlikely that anyone who
takes this test is a mass murderer or a superhero, so Mean vs. Nice
will have to take the place of good vs. evil.
Chaos and Goodness in a nutshell:
-Chaotic characters tend to be spontaneous and disorganized. They tend to dislike authority and they live by their own rules.
-Good characters believe in doing the right thing. They help others when possible, and they are usually friendly.
Your Alignment:
"The Rebel"
You have your own set of beliefs in what is right, and you are willing
to go against the status quo to stand up for them. You have a tendency
toward righteous indignation, which can piss people off sometimes.
But at heart you are just trying to do the right thing. Keep fighting
the good fight.
Re: Natch
Date: 2006-01-08 08:43 pm (UTC)3.5 highly superior to all previous D&D iterations, imho.