02. Text

[5thchild]

Imagine a world where you can live happily forever. With no insecurities in yours or other people's hearts, no hatred and no confusion. Everyone would understand each other, no one would perish and every flaw in every living being would be complemented by the strengths in others.

In exchange for that, you’d have to lose one thing, however. The one thing that brings you great pain and yet you seem to cherish so much: individuality. You’d all be united as one being and nobody would exist singularly, but merely as part of a whole. "Existing" would mean "existing for the whole" rather than yourself or few selected ones.

Someone called this "Instrumentality Project" and the same people saw this as evolution, close to the power of what you would call "god". Would you accept it? Would you prefer eternal happiness with no loss or pain, or your individuality that eventually leads to that?

Comments

[slightlyoffchilt]

Why? Are you looking for like-minded individuals?

[5thchild]

I already know of one.

I'm trying to understand the human condition. And in order to do so, I believe understanding individuality and the way you see it can aid me on that. After all, it's something you cherish deeply, isn't it?

[slightlyoffchilt]

Me, personally? Or "you" in the impersonal sense? Regardless, I am experienced in the impact that individuality/identity can make, yes.

[5thchild]

I meant it in the impersonal sense, however, how you feel about it personally is also interesting.

[slightlyoffchilt]

I invest in my individuality, yes. Power is enjoyable through a particular perspective, I find.

[5thchild]

Power? Is that what matters to you?

[slightlyoffchilt]

I would argue that some degree of it matters to everyone.

[5thchild]

What sort of power do you seek?

[slightlyoffchilt]

I'm a psychiatrist. My power comes through knowledge of the mind.

[5thchild]

Do you knows yours?

[slightlyoffchilt]

What an odd question.

[5thchild]

Is it, really?

You wish to understand the mind, but can you truly if you do not know yourself? Can you know how deep it goes, when you only stood by the shallow waters of it?

[slightlyoffchilt]

Do you think I have not reflected upon my own mind? Or do you think I would be so foolish as to give a straight answer so publicly?

You might choose "neither of the above".

[5thchild]

You don't have to answer to any of my questions if you don't wish to.

Does it scare you? What you might find within the mind?

[slightlyoffchilt]

I enjoy working with abnormal psychology. It's what I pursued.

[5thchild]

Why?

[slightlyoffchilt]

Because the unique mind is unmapped, as opposed to that of the neurotypical. There's a need to unravel it.

[5thchild]

Do you really think the normal mind is already mapped?

[slightlyoffchilt]

Oh, no, there are modern discoveries daily. But mundane ones, you understand, as kingmaking as discovering a new brand of bread in the grocer's.

The need is more an ambitious one, I'll admit.