@hythlodaeus | text

[nomoresharks]

I've an odd question to ask, if you'll indulge me.

Let us say a world exists where all work toward the betterment of their world, where none go without, and no one need be separated from their loved ones before they could bid farewell. Each day is peaceful and productive, and you know your place within it. You need not leave until you are ready, and only when you feel fulfilled.

Would you choose to live in this world or the one you came from? Why?

And to those who know why I ask this question, I pray you answer as well, and do so honestly. I promise 'tis in the spirit of keeping an open mind.

Comments

[nomoresharks]

Of course. For my part, I am the Chief of the Bureau of the Architect, which registers all concepts for use by those who need them. And turns them down if need be.

Or to put it a different way, the Bureau ensures that not every idea that springs to mind comes into being permanently. 'Tis an easy way for things to go out of control.

[kampfgeist]

what

you have a bureau regulating people's ideas?

[nomoresharks]

I... see how that come across at first glance. Let me clarify.

Where I am from, each and every person--children included--are possessed of creation magicks: the ability to manipulate the world around them and bring forth any idea they can imagine into creation. 'Tis a might more complicated than that, of course, but simply put, things can get out of hand very, very quickly. Especially when particular ideas are "in fashion" so to speak.

[kampfgeist]

i was about to take back what i said about it sounding nice

[ this clarification is considerably less dystopian than what heine was imagining! ]

i can see why that would need some guidance
otherwise you end up with all kinds of weird shit being created

[nomoresharks]

You have *no* idea.

Just recently (before my arrival here, of course), someone put forth a concept combining a shark with either a squid or an octopus. It was quite possibly the most pointless, excessive looking creature I've ever laid eyes upon. I can only assume its creator was attempting to capitalize upon the fashion with their "unique" creation, with little thought given to aught else.

Yes, I'm sure your shark/octopus hybrid has a perfectly legitimate niche in the ocean's ecosystem. Oh, you've made it capable of going on land as well? Yes, do tell me more. Positively riveting.

[There's a pause in the flurry of frustrated replies.]

Ah. Sorry about that. I may have gotten a little carried away there.

[kampfgeist]

i can tell they have the right person in the job

[ that's some real passion about shark hybrids, heine is impressed! ]

so people can come up with whatever insane shit they want
and your job is to be like "yeah that sounds reasonable"
or "no that's insane what are you doing"?

are sharks in fashion or something? what do you mean
» "capitalize upon the fashion"

[nomoresharks]

Yes to both. And for those that are approved, we hold copies of the concept--a sort of blueprint, if you will--for those who would like to make use of it themselves.

As for the sharks, indeed, it's been that way for a few years now. Not that everything that's come of the deluge has been without merit. While I personally would prefer to see more variety and creativity from others, there have been some few innovations and curiosities to come from it. For every ten iterations of the basic shark in a different color, you get the occasional Cetorhinus.

[kampfgeist]

that is
so incredibly specific. why sharks?

i haven't even seen a shark, forget about a sharktopus

[nomoresharks]

Well, the Words of Mitron--a school devoted to icthyology--managed to create a sky-swimming fish, then a shark, and from there it became popular to create one's own take on the creature. Beyond that, I can't say.

Believe me, if I knew why and how fashions move the way they do, I would have had them move on ages ago.

[kampfgeist]

» "ichthyology"
?? is that fish school or something?

i can't lie, if i could create stuff with my thoughts i'd probably make some weird shit too
maybe not sharks but something that'd make me a thorn in your side

i'm heine btw don't recall if we've met

[nomoresharks]

Something of the sort. The study of fish or water-dwelling lifeforms and their creation.

Though the school isn't *exactly* a school. A school of thought would be more accurate. Or creation in this case? A group?

[Something like that]

Oh, and I don't mind the occasional oddity, lest you worry. It adds variety to my day, which is delightful in its own right. And we all have to start somewhere.

Hythlodaeus, just the same as my user name. You might have some idea as to what I thought it was asking of me at the time.

[kampfgeist]

sounds like a side effect of being from a place where everyone is fulfilled and has purpose

[ this explanation is both clarifying and mystifying, somehow. heine wonders what it would be like to be from a place that had schools of thought, of creation, specific even to "fish and water-dwelling lifeforms." ]

no judgment. i'm only not "heine" because at the last second i got paranoid about putting my real name in

not that it ended up mattering, they obviously know a lot about us

[nomoresharks]

[The shopping mall comes to mind. He snuffs the thought out as quickly as it arises]

It is rather strange, isn't it? The surveys especially. There's something... off about them, though I can't fully explain what.

[kampfgeist]

they were weird questions. i can't remember most of them, but one of mine was something about... uh, getting kidnapped? being told to think about what i did to deserve it?

[nomoresharks]

What? Who in the world *deserves* to be kidnapped?

[kampfgeist]

probably depends on who you're asking
or who's doing the kidnapping

or whether you're from a place where that kind of thing is normal

i'm guessing you didn't get that question?

[nomoresharks]

No, I didn't. I *did* get one that, well, wasn't even a question really.

Something about public speaking and an entire crowd laughing at me?

[kampfgeist]

oof. now that's real nightmare fuel
brutal

my other one wasn't really a question either. "you see someone attractive from across the room"
or something like that

[nomoresharks]

Well then. That disrupts a theory of mine.

I thought it was meant to make us uncomfortable, but that's rather simple, isn't it? Curious that we both received questions that weren't questions, though.

[kampfgeist]

well

[ SIGHS... whatever people probably have weirder intimacy hangups right? ]

the idea of being attracted enough to a stranger to notice them across the room would
actually make me pretty uncomfortable
so the theory might still hold

[nomoresharks]

[Oops]

I see. That's... somewhat unsettling. Can't say I expected it to be targeted, of all things.

[kampfgeist]

i don't think it was AS targeted as like
the bank vaults or the mall

but definitely meant to poke at whatever issues we're bringing with us

[nomoresharks]

I still can't figure out the why of it all. Some sort of psychological testing?

[kampfgeist]

probably. stress testing
if you need a group of people whose psyches can withstand a lot...
this wouldn't be the worst way to test that

[nomoresharks]

Not the most comforting thought in the world... but a sound hypothesis.

And as much of us as possible for the widest *variety* of individuals possible to suit their needs.

I'm beginning to think I should start keeping a notebook to keep track of all this.