32

[somekindofsin]

I highly suggest that everyone take a moment to read this entry.  It's one of the most sensible things I've read in months.

As for the recent parasitic infestation, I think it's reasonable to assume that the strange phenomena this month--the star shower, the horrible stench in the center of the City, the rampant illness--are all related to it.  It's

Comments

[banditfox]

Haven't you heard? You're not supposed to face these situations sensibly. You're supposed to panic.

[somekindofsin]

Oh, my mistake. I'll do what I can to propagate widespread panic in the future!

[banditfox]

Your efforts are sure to be appreciated.

[somekindofsin]

They're sure to be unneeded. Panic seems to come about quite naturally here.

[banditfox]

It's the reaction of a prey animal, particularly when it's denied escape.

[somekindofsin]

That describes everyone in the City nicely. The deities don't have any qualms about preying on us.

[banditfox]

Being prey has more to do with one's mindset in this case than with the facts.

[somekindofsin]

How so?

[banditfox]

You only react as prey when you think of yourself as prey.

[somekindofsin]

When you run the risk of being killed every day and have no way to defend yourself from that fate, aren't you prey regardless of your mindset?

[banditfox]

We're speaking of the exhibition of prey behavior. Have you ever seen an animal that didn't realize it was prey being stalked? There's a complete absence of effort at self-preservation, thus an absence of panic.

[somekindofsin]

A creature who isn't actively slinking along trying not to be eaten can still be killed. I would think that a vampire would be more than willing to snap up an unsuspecting victim...

Then again, you may have a point. Large cats seldom attack until the game makes a run for it, and even vampires prefer their meals frightened. I doubt the deities would find us as amusing if we weren't so prone to panicking at the drop of a hat.

[banditfox]

That wasn't so difficult. All you had to do was alter your mindset.

[somekindofsin]

Oh, only a portion of my mind is altered. The rest still disagrees with you.

[banditfox]

Such is the nature of civil academic debate,

[somekindofsin]

You couldn't speak a greater truth.