shitposting rave 2, electric boogaloo

y34h, n0, 571ll unc0mf0r748l3. 7h4nk5 f0r 3xpl41n1ng.

 

I can see how it would be - again, contextually it was being used in a group of people who already knew each other and worked together. I was suggesting it more as a tongue-in-cheek joke, and didn't realize people would take me so exceptionally literally and assume the absolute worst out of my intent. *frowns slightly*

 

7h1nk 17'5 ju57 wh47 h4pp3n5 wh3n y0u g37 4 l07 0f p30pl3 w17h 4 l07 0f d4m4g3 70g37h3r, 733 833 41ch. 0ccup4710n4l h4z4rd.

 

Ah. Thanks for the explanation.

Intent is framed by culture, and while one society may see nothing wrong with, say, living entirely on the wing, that same norm might be utterly unthinkable to another.

In cases where my own and my loved ones' safety or autonomy might be at risk, I choose to assume and prepare for the worst.

 

Wull'y ain't inna group as know an' trust ya, so mebbe fraggin' think afore y'go'n crack 'jokes's rely on'at context.

Also, frag you, use m' full damn name, we ain't that close.

 

Full ventilation cycles. Use them. We're not fighting here. [Lifts one hand to trace patterns on Rust's wrist.]

 

Incidentally, Cybertron has a branch of medical practice that allows them to completely rewrite a personality to better fit the function that society claims to need. Tongue-in-cheek jokes about brainwashing, regardless of the context they originally come from, might be a bit tasteless in mixed company.

 

I understand needing that kind of caution. I hope you find a safe place all of you can stay in long enough that you eventually have the freedom to not assume the worst.

My apologies, Rustbucket. I'd followed the previous modelling of your name unthinkingly.

I've experienced actual brainwashing - Cybertron isn't the only place in whatever dimensions represented here has horrors like that. There's a difference between me making a joke about a spell I associate with comfort and friends I'm missing right now and... whatever it is you think I'm doing.

 

I'll settle for all of us surviving, but the sentiment is appreciated.

 

She just made an offer.

If she didn't care about your consent, she would have just done it.

 

...there is a certain sort of person who will make offhand comments about their abilities to see how those abilities are received, and then go after whoever seems most vulnerable regardless of the victim's comfort level.

I do not mean to imply Eliana is that sort of person, only point out a hole in the theory.

 

Everything you've described from that spell has rung uncomfortably close to shadowplay regardless. Which is why people remain a tad wary and upset, despite the 'context'.

If I started jocularly calling people disposable and implying we were going to take them to pieces for spare parts, I wouldn't be surprised if people reacted negatively. The cultural context might make losing a limb less drastic for me and the jokes about it less serious, but I doubt it would go over well for others.

She joked about having the spell prepared in case it was needed, rather than offering to calm someone individually. There is a difference.

 

If someone tried their hardest to use the spell in question in a "combative" way, it would reduce the intensity of people in a given area's emotions for a matter of mintues, which is unethical with a lack of consent and could certainly cause harm, but is an entirely different class of problem from brainwashing.

The spell being used, again, in context, is being intentionally cast as a light-hearted nudge, done intentionally in a way that cannot possibly overcome someone's will. I lived the last decade and more of my life in a world that lived and breathed magic - this being the social equivalent of gently poking someone with your elbow. Magic is another dimension of communication, like talking or body language.

And more than anything, you keep harping on context while insisting on sticking only to yours, and completely lacking nuance. Insisting on seeking evil in every shadow means you will eventually find evil, even if you have to create it by ruining the good that was originally there.

And none of this was what I wanted. I was just having a hard day and wanted to be someplace and talk to people that aren't depending on me to fix things for them, again. I didn't want to scare anyone, and I didn't want an argument. I'm sad but understanding if people are wary. But I'm not okay with being continually told how Fundamentally Wrong I am, either.

 

Burlesque likes starting fights in here. Easier to ignore him.

 

...

*deep breath*

Noted.

 

I have never called you evil, fundamentally wrong, nor stated that there was no possible way for this spell to function the way you said it does. I just pointed out that there is a reason why people might remain wary afterwards.

Oh, you're going to ruin all my fun. How terrible.

 

[Gess makes a rude gesture.]

 

[Burlesque makes a rude gesture in response. And sticks his tongue out for good measure.]

 

[Shakes with silent laughter, then wanders away again]

 

It's not always fun for other people.