2nd Oration / Voice

[dun_moch]

[Dooku's voice on the Network is difficult to miss: deep, resonant, rich, and inexplicably British despite him being from space.]

Good evening, my friends. As his probation officer, I feel it is my duty to inform you that Death the Kid has departed from this universe.

[Pause]

A pity, really. He only had a few days remaining on his sentence. I was looking forward to recommending his freedom from government supervision.

Now then, there is another matter I wish to discuss. I have been considering the role of emotion in the matters of power. ImPort abilities often seem tied to how we feel. Passions such as anger and fear can threaten our control, yet they can also spur our powers to greater heights in times of need.

In my Galaxy, there are two philosophies which have debated these issues for many thousands of years. One believes in the denial of passion. They insist upon tranquility and harmony. It is their belief that only a calm heart, without attachments, can attain true wisdom in serving others. They do not even allow themselves to fall in love...

[The Count's voice drops slightly, becoming a touch darker.]

The other perspective calls this a lie. It accepts passion as the truth of all living things, and draws power from it. It teaches that even the strongest of emotions can be embraced, and disciplined, and used to great effect.

I would be interested to know what my fellow imPorts think on this matter. Are our feelings to be repressed, or embraced? Which path do you believe will lead to greater fulfillment?

[Talk to the Sith Lord about feelings, Network. Also, if you're tagging him for the first time it's a good idea to check out his permissions post!]

Comments

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[akas]

What, no middle ground? No grey area?

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[dun_moch]

There are some in my Galaxy who walk a Grey path, between the two philosophies. But they have always been few in number.

It is a difficult balance to maintain, you see. Sooner or later, most individuals feel the pull toward one side or another.

Audio

[cantwalkwithoutit]

Simple: They're both wrong. An extreme is an extreme, no matter what direction one throws themselves in, and people that adhere to such foolishness are far too easily manipulated.

Audio

[dun_moch]

There is wisdom in what you say. Rigidity is a weakness easily exploited.

But it is the nature of most beings to crave stability and purpose in their lives, to seek structure to help define them. Perhaps that is why so many submit to one point of view or another, despite the risks of excluding other perspectives.

voice.

[glowsferatu]

When I was younger, I would swear by logic, but my decisions were primarily led by passion. They weren't usually good decisions, and I think the fact that I denied where they were rooted tended to make them worse.

Logic and passion can't be disconnected and dichotomized the way we always want them to be. We operate better when they're in balance.

voice.

[dun_moch]

A familiar tale. That has always been among the great weaknesses of the first philosophy I mentioned. To deny passion is not to eliminate its influence.

And yet members of that order so often claim to serve balance. They presume to spread it in the Galaxy around them, despite the imbalance within themselves. And so they fail: their decisions much like those of your younger self, with consequences to match.

voice

[knightunerring]

I'm sure it's the common answer, but... Both sides sound flawed. Without attachments people lose sight of what they were trying to protect. But there are emotions that aren't productive, no matter how disciplined you try to be.

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[dun_moch]

That is indeed a common response. Yet these philosophies have not endured for thousands of years without having answers at the ready for such challenges.

For example, the path of denial might warn you against attachment narrowing your vision of what needs to be protected... against emotion influencing you into defending your friends above a greater good. And the other path teaches that there are no inherently undesirable emotions: only undesirable actions.

These debates have continued for a very long time amongst the stars. No final answer has been determined... at least, not yet.

[ Video ]

[dualismum]

[ HITTING

SO CLOSE TO HOME ]

Passion is called the spice of life; I think it's quite sad not to allow yourself to love and to have attachments. These are what makes life important, at least to me. However, passion can blind you and not always so easily controlled, even if you believe you can control it.

I think it's a matter of balance between the two.

[ this is all fine and dandy, except Sasaki represses everything like you wouldn't believe ahahaha............. ]

[ Video ]

[dun_moch]

[Dooku smiles. He made this post with people like Sasaki/Kaneki in mind, and this is entirely a desirable reaction. Especially considering what he knows about the depths of Kaneki's repression...]

I quite agree. Controlling passion without denying it is a mighty task. But it is a challenge that must be faced, if a being wishes to experience a truly fulfilling life.

Voice

[exsithstential]

I'm honestly quite amused by the wisdom demonstrated by your audience. It would seem our peers embrace a more open minded approach to life. Surely you aren't implying that such narrow philosophies are only reserved for yourself?

Voice

[dun_moch]

These philosophies have commanded the history of our Galaxy for a very long time, Ambassador, as you are well aware. Perhaps our fellow imPorts are indeed wiser than so many others who have lived in your time and mine... or perhaps the tension between the two exists for good reason.

Not all beings can share your... flexibility.

video;

[leonized]

What about you?

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[dun_moch]

[The Count half-smiles and adopts the pose of a reflective old man, looking back over a long life.]

I have walked both paths during my lifetime. But as of late, I have come to believe more in the second perspective. Our feelings are a vital part of us all. And it is possible for us to embrace them without being dominated by them.

audio;

[irassible]

Anyone that claims wisdom like that is a fool.

"Wise men" would sell out their own family in the name of righteousness.

audio;

[dun_moch]

I see. I have known many supposedly wise beings who would indeed act in the way you describe.

I take it then, that you are a person who values close connections above any abstract ideals?

[resipiscent]

I don't believe in picking one thing over another. Especially not something like this. Informing your decisions with emotion is important, but you also need to think of things in order of priority.

Pushing away my own nature would have gotten me killed eventually. The only way to go is accept it. I try to keep balanced in between.

[dun_moch]

A perfectly sensible approach, Riku. But I am sure it is challenging to continue such a balance.

Might I ask what nature this is, whose rejection might have destroyed you?

[Video]

[crapbearer]

Eh. Emotions may not be great for figuring out stuff like astrophysics and programming a VCR, but I sure wouldn't ask a calculator to learn a foreign language or something.

[Video]

[dun_moch]

Quite so. Our feelings are as much a way of understanding the world around us as our minds. Great insight can come from accepting them... and great foolishness can result from their denial.

video

[112ounces]

[ He's not going to talk about philosophies when he's in a bad mood. People stopping him from attempted murder does that. ]

Thanks for telling about Kid.

video

[dun_moch]

Hello, Carl. You are quite welcome.

[The Count allows a tinge of sadness to pass over his face.]

It is an unfortunate loss. I know the two of you were friends.

[voice]

[protects_the_small]

Both sides sound like they don't deal with actual people very often.

[voice]

[dun_moch]

Indeed. And what makes you say that, m'lady?

[foreshadower]

Passions are...interesting things, aren't they?

What is your opinion, I'm curious?

[dun_moch]

[Oh, it's Shade. Dooku's voice brightens a tad.]

The most fascinating of topics, to be sure.

In my youth, I was instructed in the ways of the first philosophy: in the path of denial. But with age has come wisdom. It is perfectly possible for the wise to embrace their true feelings without losing their good judgement... and it is quite rewarding, as well.

[angelfire]

Passion all the way. The other one is as dumb as a brick to the head. Spiritual purity is a joke, and even my Father is a mess of insecurities. We're just boring without them.

[dun_moch]

An answer I would have expected from you, Lucifer. Consider this, however: from what I have learned of this world's mythology, your Father is supposed to be the creator and master of all things. How is such dominion possible, if his ideals have so little worth? One might expect weak views to result in weaker power.

[Is it still called playing Devil's Advocate if you're advocating for God against the Devil? IDK]

text; (cw misogynistic remark)

[pillz]

i vote 2 hug it out.
but

u gotta learn control too or u end up by accident unleashin some homicidal freak monster on town
u know what im sayin
or ur testes curl up adn wither into ovaries ;(

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[dun_moch]

[What is this textual abomination? This level of debased, almost illegible communication is like sandpaper to the Count's refined eyes.]

I am afraid I am not entirely clear on what it is you are saying. Perhaps it would be better if you employed the voice function in your response.

[He understands the gist just fine. Count Dooku just doesn't like textspeak one bit.]

[text]

[thelimitdoesnotexist]

[He barely remembers his encounter with this person, yet he remembers just how much they talked. Just like now.]

how can one have no attachments? are they supposed to get rid of survival instincts?

you could be right about passion. it takes great control to direct your energies.

[text]

[dun_moch]

[The Count's interest perks when he sees the name behind this text. He has been doing some thinking about Mewtwo since their encounter.]

Yes, in fact. They are expected to live selflessly, ready to give up their lives in service to others. A willingness that is all too often exploited by the selfish and the corrupt.

Such control is one of the most difficult challenges to master, but the rewards are great. I am sure you already understand the burdens of managing such strong power.

voice;

[bassriff]

[sup, Dooku.]

The second one. No question. [Even if she's guilty of walling herself off pretty often, she knows it's not a good thing to be doing.]

voice;

[dun_moch]

Your Highness. It is good to hear your voice again.

[Sup musical vampire-youth, guess who's still hung up on your Official Queenly Title]

I must admit, it is refreshing to receive such a clear answer. Most of the other respondents thus far have leaned toward striking a balance.

[Balance is such a Jedi thing to focus on, though.]

voice;

[matadorable]

...I cannot imagine living a life without love or attachments. Passion is what gives me power, both in my music and in my heart.

voice;

[dun_moch]

A passionless musician would make for a poor performance indeed. After all, what is music really, if not a way to stir strong feelings in the audience?

And yet, those of the first path I mentioned have little use for it. Only soothing tones to aid in meditation. One wonders whether a world run according to their beliefs would have any real music at all.

[This is of course garbage. The Jedi Temple may have been quiet, contemplative, and leery of worldly pleasures, but the history of the Sith is filled with destruction and censorship targeted at any forms of art that could undermine their power. But Manolo hardly needs to know that, now does he?]