44th Insane Speech // Voice

[liebe_krieg]

I have been thinking about monsters.

The question of what humanity there may be found in monsters has already been asked and discussed many times. Do they have a soul, are they capable of love, and other romantic notions. [The Major can be heard scoffing] My interest is focused on the other side of the coin: what depths a human being may sink to before they receive the label ‘monster.’

One hears it thrown about of course: ‘you monster! You fiend! You mad demon!” [Laughter] Such vicious rhetoric! But do the people who say that really mean someone is devoid of all humanity? That they lack the things which truly make a genuine human?

A claim like that carries great implications, you know. A brief look at the history of humanity shows that a great many of us have done things which might prompt some to cry ‘monster!’ Would it follow then, that a significant portion of humans on this Earth have never been human at all? Whatever would that mean for the concept of ‘human?’

These questions are of keen interest to me. And part of that interest is what you think on the matter.

Comments

voice;

[doubleoohbaby.livejournal.com]

It's overused and usually out of context.

Like 'awesome'. Few things are genuinely awesome, and yet society- especially Americans- seem to point out everything in life as such.

voice;

[liebe_krieg]

Oh yes! The shameless misuse of hyperbole in this ridiculous society is one of the most absurd things about America. They seem bent on ruining every decent word in their language. 'Epic', for instance. Listening to them carry on, you would think it was used to describe brushing one's teeth, not the works of Homer!

permavid;

[backatthehotel]

It's bullshit.

Trying to get rid of the relationship... trying to separate us, good, decent, upstanding folk, from them, those awful bastards capable of all these terrible things. [gesturing with his cigarette] By labeling 'em something else. Trying to pretend everyone isn't just as capable as anything, with the right motivation.

permavid;

[liebe_krieg]

A familiar process, I must say. The demonization of the enemy, the spreading of atrocity stories and propaganda. 'Destroy this mad brute!'

It is amusing, don't you think? When the impulse to destroy 'them' is followed through, that is when the spectator is most likely to cry 'monster!'

[voice]

[trueltning_fury]

I would say you're over-thinking things but I suspect you simply like to hear yourself talk.

[voice]

[liebe_krieg]

No and yes, Captain. How one defines humanity and how one conceives of the enemy are important questions to consider, after all.

permavoice

[maskurbates]

Did someone call you a "monster", Major?

[liebe_krieg]

I have heard it tossed around from time to time, in my career.

Permavoice

[yelloweyesdarksomething]

Nuh uh, humans can't be monsters. Monsters are monsters. But, um, if a human makes themselves into a monster, maybe that'd be it.

[liebe_krieg]

Hahaha. You are talking about a physical transformation, I assume. The human body being made monstrous by magic or science.

[voice]

[stupid_monkey]

Well that's all just insults, right? I mean, a human turning into a demon is really really rare. And even if that happens they can still be a nice person.

It doesn't mean anything. Being human or demon doesn't matter.

[voice]

[liebe_krieg]

Is that so. Then what distinction is there between human and demon for you? Is your world truly a place where 'human' and 'demon' are utterly interchangeable?

[enigmaestro.livejournal.com]

How do you define humanity, I wonder?

[liebe_krieg]

I have a very clear definition of the concept which I have held to throughout my life. But I would be very curious to hear your own take first.

voice;

[doubleoohbaby.livejournal.com]

It's overused and usually out of context.

Like 'awesome'. Few things are genuinely awesome, and yet society- especially Americans- seem to point out everything in life as such.

voice;

[liebe_krieg]

Oh yes! The shameless misuse of hyperbole in this ridiculous society is one of the most absurd things about America. They seem bent on ruining every decent word in their language. 'Epic', for instance. Listening to them carry on, you would think it was used to describe brushing one's teeth, not the works of Homer!

permavid;

[backatthehotel]

It's bullshit.

Trying to get rid of the relationship... trying to separate us, good, decent, upstanding folk, from them, those awful bastards capable of all these terrible things. [gesturing with his cigarette] By labeling 'em something else. Trying to pretend everyone isn't just as capable as anything, with the right motivation.

permavid;

[liebe_krieg]

A familiar process, I must say. The demonization of the enemy, the spreading of atrocity stories and propaganda. 'Destroy this mad brute!'

It is amusing, don't you think? When the impulse to destroy 'them' is followed through, that is when the spectator is most likely to cry 'monster!'

[voice]

[trueltning_fury]

I would say you're over-thinking things but I suspect you simply like to hear yourself talk.

[voice]

[liebe_krieg]

No and yes, Captain. How one defines humanity and how one conceives of the enemy are important questions to consider, after all.

permavoice

[maskurbates]

Did someone call you a "monster", Major?

[liebe_krieg]

I have heard it tossed around from time to time, in my career.

Permavoice

[yelloweyesdarksomething]

Nuh uh, humans can't be monsters. Monsters are monsters. But, um, if a human makes themselves into a monster, maybe that'd be it.

[liebe_krieg]

Hahaha. You are talking about a physical transformation, I assume. The human body being made monstrous by magic or science.

[voice]

[stupid_monkey]

Well that's all just insults, right? I mean, a human turning into a demon is really really rare. And even if that happens they can still be a nice person.

It doesn't mean anything. Being human or demon doesn't matter.

[voice]

[liebe_krieg]

Is that so. Then what distinction is there between human and demon for you? Is your world truly a place where 'human' and 'demon' are utterly interchangeable?

[enigmaestro.livejournal.com]

How do you define humanity, I wonder?

[liebe_krieg]

I have a very clear definition of the concept which I have held to throughout my life. But I would be very curious to hear your own take first.

[pluckyreporter]

[As someone who is -- arguably, maybe, kinda sorta -- in a relationship with someone who isnt' even human... this relates to her interests.]

[Also, it's the Major. She's got a axe to grind here.]


I think you shouldn't bore us with word games. You know this is a subjective answer and there's no universal answer.

So why ask?

[liebe_krieg]

Because the subjective answers are almost always the most fascinating ones.

[pluckyreporter]

[As someone who is -- arguably, maybe, kinda sorta -- in a relationship with someone who isnt' even human... this relates to her interests.]

[Also, it's the Major. She's got a axe to grind here.]


I think you shouldn't bore us with word games. You know this is a subjective answer and there's no universal answer.

So why ask?

[liebe_krieg]

Because the subjective answers are almost always the most fascinating ones.

[maggotbone]

Ugh. How much time you got? I can go on about how calling humans "monsters" is downright insulting. Don't even get me started on calling them "demons".

Humans are humans. I don't think there needs to be any more of an explanation than that.

[liebe_krieg]

I am quite patient when it comes to denouncing such foolishness. It is as you say. The essential nature of the human being cannot be duplicated or imitated by the nature of the 'demon.' I suppose aliens and machines occupy a grey area, but that is not within my area of interest.

[maggotbone]

Ugh. How much time you got? I can go on about how calling humans "monsters" is downright insulting. Don't even get me started on calling them "demons".

Humans are humans. I don't think there needs to be any more of an explanation than that.

[liebe_krieg]

I am quite patient when it comes to denouncing such foolishness. It is as you say. The essential nature of the human being cannot be duplicated or imitated by the nature of the 'demon.' I suppose aliens and machines occupy a grey area, but that is not within my area of interest.

text; encrypted

[lazarisen]

I'm sure very few of those deemed "monsters" or "demons" would care for the association with humanity, as it is.

text; encrypted

[liebe_krieg]

There are many who do. The actions that earn their moniker may be done in the cause of humanity or one of its aspects: 'progress', 'country', 'love.' Who would accept being called a monster for love?

text; encrypted

[lazarisen]

I'm sure very few of those deemed "monsters" or "demons" would care for the association with humanity, as it is.

text; encrypted

[liebe_krieg]

There are many who do. The actions that earn their moniker may be done in the cause of humanity or one of its aspects: 'progress', 'country', 'love.' Who would accept being called a monster for love?

[origamiguardian.livejournal.com]

Psychopathy, I guess.

[liebe_krieg]

What a hard line to take. Do you really despair for someone's humanity because they have a mental condition? Or is the word 'monster' for such people just a bit of rhetoric?

[origamiguardian.livejournal.com]

Psychopathy, I guess.

[liebe_krieg]

What a hard line to take. Do you really despair for someone's humanity because they have a mental condition? Or is the word 'monster' for such people just a bit of rhetoric?

text;

[inamagicshop.livejournal.com]

text;

[liebe_krieg]

That has most certainly been my own experience. Someone who has encountered demons and vampires knows true inhuman evil. Those people know why the word 'monster' was really created.

text;

[inamagicshop.livejournal.com]

text;

[liebe_krieg]

That has most certainly been my own experience. Someone who has encountered demons and vampires knows true inhuman evil. Those people know why the word 'monster' was really created.