[Text]

[monge]

[It's a very simple text, but a text nonetheless. Looks like someone's been thinking more than they usually do.]

what makes someone a person?

[You have no idea how much self control it takes not to write "zura" at the end of his texts.]

Comments

[4thdimensional]

[Doc has to think about this for a bit. He comes up with a few potential explanations, but none of them seem to neatly divide his imPort friends from common pets.]

Why do you ask, Komasan?

text

[bindsthedead]

Isn't having thoughts and feelings enough?

[monge]

[The text takes awhile to send, mostly because Komasan's just slow at texting.

But also because he wants to make this look as intelligent as possible. Apparently some people think he's dumb.]

I thought I knew what it meant
But people have been telling me different things
I decided to look it up in the giant word book

[He means a dictionary...]

It said a "human being"

text;

[rassera]

i dunno

maybe its in the genes or something


are you talking human or something more spiritual

text

[monge]

That's what I thought
I am scared that I am wrong

text;

[leonized]

[That's a good question... honestly it would be easier if he couldn't speak to animals and all of that, because he wasn't sure if he counted animals as people but most of the qualifiers he could think of immeediately applied to both.]

Why are you asking?

text;

[monge]

[The fact that Kaneda brings up humans at all is really all Komasan really needs.]

I see
thank you

text;

[rassera]

thats not an answer komacchi

i asked if you mean what makes someone human or what makes someone a being


theres a difference you know


cause human being is a being that is human right but not all beings are human only some of them are i mean look at bull he somehow passes as a being but if hes human ill eat my own fist

[4thdimensional]

Human being. The predominant species...to the point where each of us who were not otherwise human gain that form by default through the porter. Those of us from an Earth largely mean 'person' to refer to our own species, yes.

But what do you believe it means?

text;

[monge]

[Oh boy, Komasan can't help but regret making this a text. Texting back, especially when he has to explain himself, is so tedious.

The reply takes awhile to pop up, but at least it does.]

I thought I knew the answer
it seemed very easy at first
but the more i live with humans, the more i worry they do not see me as a person
One of my friends said I was only a person when I'm human
she is a very nice friend, I do not think she did it to be mean
Now I am worried

[monge]

[That sure is a lot of...words you got there, Doc. Thankfully Komasan can read the question without falling over.]

I thought it just meant...someone

text;

[monge]

why does it have to be different?
why are humans separate?

text;

[rassera]

well theres all kinds right

theres human being theres robot being theres bull being theres





riku


theres all types of beings

[4thdimensional]

Someone like...

Ah. It's become something of a loaded question. Where I'm from, humans are unable to communicate with other species, though that hasn't stopped me from trying to understand my dogs. There's a clear line between 'human' and 'animal', and we tend to think of animals as less intelligent beings.

But we humans usually lack the tools to communicate, and we could be entirely wrong about that. In fact, looking around...we probably are. Unique individuals exist in all shapes, with thoughts and emotions, and...that's enough.

You're a person, you must be.

text;

[leonized]

You can switch between being human and not?

Re: text

[bindsthedead]

If you have the ability to think about what makes a person, and worry about whether you are one, then you're definitely a person.

text;

[monge]

if you are not human
the porter will make you one when you come here
I am very lucky that they gave me a power to turn back to normal
but if they take my powers away, i am human
i do not like it
but it's the only time I am a person
I'm confused

text

[monge]

I wish more people thought like that
i am starting to realize people treat me differently here than back home
at first I thought it was a US thing
but then I remembered i was in disguise whenever I interacted with humans back home
So they treated me like a person because they thought i was one

Text

[protects_the_small]

Having feelings is enough to be a person, really.

text;

[leonized]

You're still a person.

I think the person who said having thoughts and feelings is the most important part is correct, but... it becomes difficult, because animals have thoughts and feelings too.

Perma-audio;

[danceofcurse]

[Van's not accustomed to typing yet, so he chooses to answer the question a little differently than the masses. Sorry, Komasan. But you're welcome to keep typing back to him. He's at least figured out how to use his communicator's translator!]

I have to agree with the girl who said it's enough to have thoughts and feelings. Being a person isn't about what species you are. At least...not where I'm from. I can't imagine anyone saying the Junin aren't people, too.

[monge]

I'm just happy you at least think so
but humans can be so selfish sometimes

Text

[monge]

I thought so too
but i guess that isn't what everyone thinks, i was surprised

[protects_the_small]

no, they don't. But plenty of humans don't consider other humans people either. Or not the right KIND of people. It's a problem.

[4thdimensional]

Unfortunately I can't deny that. Did someone say something to you?