Comments | capeandcowl: twenty. text. backdated to monday.

afeatherpillow in capeandcowl

twenty. text. backdated to monday.

Oct 12, 2011 00:26

In the 1940s, rumor has it that a prisoner on the island of Alcatraz was killed by a ghost ( Read more... )

katurian katurian | the pillowman

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text; chesstotem October 12 2011, 04:29:52 UTC

I can't say I really believe in ghosts, but I've always liked a good ghost story.

text; afeatherpillow October 12 2011, 04:31:32 UTC

Because they frighten you?

text; chesstotem October 12 2011, 04:38:20 UTC

Yeah, in a way.

But in a way, I think, they're also kind of reassuring? Because, well. It's like a shared experience of the unknown. A reminder that we all have limitations. I guess.

text; afeatherpillow October 12 2011, 04:43:40 UTC

Most people wouldn't think that sounds reassuring. I mean, I agree with you, no question, but most people wouldn't think. Doesn't it sound counterintuitive?

text; chesstotem October 12 2011, 04:46:52 UTC

Yeah, it sounds kind of nuts. That I would find limitations and unknown quantities reassuring, but... Yeah. They are, for me. None of us is perfect, none of us is infallible. In a way, it's sort of like... a reminder that it's okay to be flawed.

text; afeatherpillow October 12 2011, 04:54:49 UTC

It's okay to be flawed.

Of course it isn't, always. Not for the characters. But I don't really enjoy cautionary tales. I mean, I think they're disingenuous.

text; chesstotem October 12 2011, 05:01:07 UTC

Well, they don't call it a 'fatal flaw' for nothing, I guess.

Aren't a lot of ghost stories sort of cautionary tales, though? I mean if the Alcatraz prisoner hadn't gotten himself locked in solitary, maybe the ghost wouldn't have murdered him?

text; afeatherpillow October 12 2011, 14:50:34 UTC

There's nothing in the story about that what the prisoner did. Maybe in other variations, but not this one. Because his crime doesn't matter. It doesn't matter. He could have been innocent.

Doing right things or wrong things doesn't guarantee reward or retribution.

text; chesstotem October 12 2011, 15:51:17 UTC

You have a point. Though I get the feeling quite a few people here labor under the impression that things are otherwise.

text; afeatherpillow October 12 2011, 22:43:33 UTC

Quite a few people here would lose their minds if they didn't think things were otherwise.

text; chesstotem October 12 2011, 22:55:37 UTC

It's interesting to observe from the sidelines. A bunch of people willing to martyr themselves for some sort of "greater good", and on the other hand, a bunch of people who choose to wreak havoc for no particular reason.

text; afeatherpillow October 13 2011, 03:45:59 UTC

I'm not sure if interesting is always the right word for it. Startling, sometimes. Overwhelming.

text; chesstotem October 13 2011, 03:52:26 UTC

I find it interesting. Sometimes a little surprising, or depressing. But mostly interesting.

text; afeatherpillow October 13 2011, 04:03:43 UTC

Don't get me wrong. There are parts of this universe that are a gift. I've witnessed beautiful things. I've experienced things that I never dreamed I'd have an opportunity to experience.

But it is still terrifying, what happens here.

text; chesstotem October 13 2011, 04:07:27 UTC

Some of it is pretty scary.

I heard there were zombies once?

text; afeatherpillow October 13 2011, 04:17:39 UTC

I was there for that. I'd say I'm lucky to be alive, but we all know how that works for imports.

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