24 ⚜ Anonymous Text / CW: abuse mentions

[restingstitchface]

Whether a man is a criminal or a hero is a matter of perspective.

But if you don't want to play your role anymore, and are removed from your motivation for being who you are, what do you do? Do you seek redemption and rehabilitation and transform as an individual, or do you repeat negative behavior? How much do you believe people change only because they are imPorted? In short, do you believe people can change?

If I had anybody willing to discuss this in private with me, I assure you, I'd not be raising the issue publically.

Thank you in advance.

Comments

[quemar]

I bet getting kicked between dimensions changes plenty of people. Don't think just being relocated should earn everybody a second chance, though.

[restingstitchface]

Why would that be? Plenty of heroes get second chances.

[devoutish]

I would change my behavior, yes.

[Granted, this is all completely theoretical to him, because he does want to do what he does.]

[restingstitchface]

Then are you saying your behavior is environmental? That it is in your actions, not your character?

[unbreaker]

they'd have to want it, that'd be key. and there'd be no escaping any bad things they might've done. they'd have to be willing to live with that. it wouldn't be easy. then again, if it was, it wouldn't be worth it, either.

so yeah...i think people can change.

[It's just that there's a lot of people who are unwilling.]

[restingstitchface]

Okay, and what if they want change for what you would doubtlessly claim are the wrong reasons? Selfish behavior is as valid a catalyst of change as any other.

[hostage]

If you don't wanna do it anymore then why do it?

Just stop being a shitty person

And don't expect anybody to pat you on the back for it

[restingstitchface]

Praise is not my motivation. It's entertaining that you think so, but why would anyone do something they despise? Necessity.

There's your answer.

text;

[dirtyredneck]

People can change. Still likely to 'repeat negative behavior' for a while as you're figuring things out. Maybe cause it's easier or just cause you don't know how to be different yet, or some other reason you ain't able to put a finger on. But it don't mean you can't change.

Just need the time and put in the effort.

[restingstitchface]

I see. Would you blame them for relapses in behavior, then? Since they're just "figuring things out".

text

[helpline]

Speaking as an expert on changing, of course people can change. Sometimes it's due to extenuating circumstances, sometimes it's due to a new event in life, sometimes it's due to meeting the right person.

Anyone who's all "oh blah blah blah so and so NEVER CHANGES" is just stupid and wrong.

[restingstitchface]

You believe that things are constantly moving forward. Yes, well, I can assure you that people who never change are perfectly real. Behavior can relapse and cycle. You can attempt to save a man but the risk is there he will always let you down.

Text

[outofthepast]

Of course people can change. It takes the insight to decide to, and the will to keep it up. And it damn sure isn't easy.

But people should be defined by the decisions they make, not by what they are. Anybody who genuinely tries to change themselves for the better is respected in my book.

[restingstitchface]

Does that include people who have done nothing to redeem themselves in any way? People who change for the better for the most selfish of reasons.

Or do you honestly believe that one can never be too forgiving?

[acclimatized]

Yes, people can change. There comes a point where you realize you can't keep acting like you're in your mid-twenties anymore. Your priorities change. You meet new people who rub off on you.

It can happen naturally over time or you can choose to change. It's hard, but it will be worth it in the end.

[restingstitchface]

I find that hard to believe. Other than the primary benefit of being left alone, which is spoiled regardless.

Anyway. Is that the voice of experience I hear?

text - locked

[h2no]

[this hits so close to home, archie almost just completely ignores it. it's better to ignore how awful it makes him feel, right?

no. he can't, in good faith, do that. he promised he'd try to do something...]

I'VE BEEN STRUGGLING WITH THIS CONCEPT TOO.
MAYBE WE COULD HELP EACH OTHER.

permalocked

[restingstitchface]

I believe we can.

And what part of this concept do you struggle with, exactly?

text. anonymous.

[bosewicht]

Gee. Lot of optimism in here.
I used to think you needed someone to change for.

[restingstitchface]

I see. What changed your mind?

text;

[380s]

Changing who you are doesn't change what you did before

[restingstitchface]

The past is immutable. Is that what you believe?

Anonymous reply by text

[am_i_a_monster]

It is very much a matter of perspective and someone can be both criminal and hero.

A person can change. When people are young, parents and guardians change them. As they get older, experiences change them. It becomes a part of them. It's harder to change back, no matter how much you want a fresh start. It's like you're stained and the bad stuff has become part of you.

Do you think criminal behaviour is the same as negative behaviour?

[restingstitchface]

Negative behavior can be defined as that produced in absence of a stimulus. Now. Is all negative behavior criminal? No. Yet, negative behavior can turn criminal. Like you say, it is very much a matter of perspective.

Do you think the loss of a parent or guardian produces grief and regret?

text, but not anonymous

[ididntsaybanana]

People can change for better or for worse. People can be fooled into change and live a lie. People can over personal obstacles and become a beacon of light for others. The only thing that matters in all of this, however, is that it is a matter of perspective as well as a matter of negatives and positives.

[restingstitchface]

Positives and negatives. What are they for you?

text;

[oceanthief]

People don't change. All you can do is decide how you want to use what you are.

[restingstitchface]

There's the potential to change one's direction, yes. Do you mind sharing how you formed that opinion?

text;

[catchacold]

Sure. Just make business cards to reflect the change, so everyone knows where they're at.

[restingstitchface]

Your advice is duly noted. Do you have anything else to add?

[Text]

[sleight_of_hand]

[ U G H; he's pretty sure he knows who this is, and that's part of the reason why it takes Adachi so long to reply. One, because freaking Crane; he wasn't going to rat him out, no matter how damn tempting it was. Two, because he went through something similar -- still was, really. It was hard to put how he felt about the whole situation into words, but... ]

People can change; the act of changing itself is the easy part. The hard part is being willing to go through with it, and figuring out the steps you need to take. It's never something that just happens, and depending on how you decide to go about it, it may not seem like you're doing much of anything at all. Some people will probably think you're just doing it for the attention, especially if you did anything here already that was pretty bad.

[ Like... gas a shit ton of people? Or terrorize Disneyland? ]

All it takes is one person to realize you're making an effort, though. Once one person sees it, eventually others will too.

[restingstitchface]

Yes, but what if that one person isn't somebody you enjoy the company of? What if they figure up a total of their invidividual worth that sums higher than yours? How do you get rid of unwanted attention? You seem to focus on change out of everything I've mentioned. Why?

text;

[tacticianing]

I know that people can change, though what causes that change must come from them finding a reason to want to. That's how it's been in my experience.

[restingstitchface]

I see. Let's speak about that change, then. What if the cause is deemed "selfish" by others? By you or anyone else here. Would you claim it necessary that change pleases others in order to be real?

[earnedmystripes]

theres not really a matter of perspective in if youre hurting innocent people or not
but sure, people can change
theres not really a point in asking what to do, though
if you dont want to hurt people anymore, then dont
deciding to keep doing it because people might not believe you changed is taking the easy way out
if you really want to change and become a better person then it doesnt matter what anyone else thinks
because its not about them
its about you

[restingstitchface]

First, let me thank you for all your time in writing this out.

Second, I am aware it's about myself. But my actions have given people cause to believe its equally about themselves and the greater good. To repent and pay one's dues to society. I am not the sort to seek repentance, and I'm certain my idea of a better person is different to yours.

What, then, should I do to become a better person? Follow my ideals - or follow yours?

Can you ever see me being a hero?

[slightlyoffchilt]

I have found that roles often change, but not necessarily because of personal agency.

[restingstitchface]

I see. Your opinion is they occur because of a stimulus, then? Somebody else's personal agency, perhaps?

TEXT.

[arsiento]

Of course people can change.

Being a criminal is a perspective how, exactly?

[ He can think of a couple ways, but he's curious about the intent behind that statement here. ]

[restingstitchface]

Society has a consensus about crime and what it is. Criminal perspectives are contrary opinions that are excluded from the whole. Criminals are individuals expelled from the whole.

If you are made one, your way of looking at everything changes. That is to say not all criminals believe that's what they are.