010 - [Video]

[triggered_it]

Who, aside from our very talented and passionate Shakespearean actor, "Desmond Wolf," has an interest in theatre? I was thinking of directing a play. I can't help but notice that the stage in the dining hall is dreadfully underused.

The play I had in mind is called "The Pillowman." It's a small cast but a fairly decent play from the early 21st

Comments

[empirical_data]

I would be interested. I have been involved in many live productions.

[triggered_it]

I'm glad to hear it.

I don't believe we've met. I'm Adrian Veidt. It's a pleasure.

[empirical_data]

Data. You are the inmate under Martha Jones, correct? I am familiar with her. [He's not sure whether he can call her friend yet, he believes so because she lent him Disney movies.]

[triggered_it]

Yes, I am.

Martha Jones is a good warden and a good person. I trust she has been helpful to you? [Half lying about the first part. Displeased that Data knows anything about him, and hates the term "inmate," but hiding ittttt.]

[empirical_data]

Very. She has been kind in explaining many things to me and loaning me materials to expand my database of knowledge. [He knows he's the smartest man on his Earth. He doesn't hold it against him. He has no idea what he's done.]

[triggered_it]

Not so many are very enthusiastic about the pursuit of knowledge. I commend you, and you're welcome to borrow books from me at any time.

May I ask where you are from, though? Time and location wise?

[empirical_data]

I am from the year 2379 ad by the Gregorian calender, and I was constructed on a planet called Omicron Theta, in a science colony. Though I would not refer to myself as being 'from' there, as that description insinuates some feelings of attachment. I have spent most of my activational existence travelling on starships.

[triggered_it]

I'm from Earth, the year 1986. I admit, you may have more to offer me in terms of knowledge than I could ever hope to offer you.

[empirical_data]

I often find looking at things in a retrospective manner provides me with much cautionary evidence of the future.

[triggered_it]

That's something we have in common. During my life, I made it my goal to apply antiquity's teaching to my own time.

[empirical_data]

My father likened the human interest in antiquity to a search for immortality. Finding longevity in their race where they could not find it in themselves, carried on through the production of offspring.

[triggered_it]

Interesting perspective. Perhaps your father was right, in a sense. I do think the power and influence of the ideas that came from that time should not be forgotten or underestimated, if the human race as a whole does wish to become immortal, in the sense of continued survival. That the world should carry on after my death has always been more comforting than depressing.

[empirical_data]

I believe similarly. Though oddly enough, I always found the idea of immortality disheartening. I have never been willing to completely dispatch myself as I have some respect for my father's legacy, but continuing on unchanging while losing those around you is... a difficult feeling.

The human race I am familiar with is better than what they used to be, in my time. More intelligent, immune to disease, environmentally aware, and prefer negotiation over war.

[triggered_it]

I can only imagine.

That news brings me tremendous relief. My time was not a pleasant one, but things were beginning to improve, luckily.

[empirical_data]

Earth began to make major motions in the way of self-improvement after first contact with Vulcan. The introduction of interstellar travel and the idea that humans were not the only race forced humanity to go through something of an awakening.

[triggered_it]

Numbers alone make thinking about aliens perfectly rational. I have often tried to work out what they must be like. I've come to the conclusion that humans have only themselves to look at to see how intelligent life could develop into something unpleasant that we wouldn't want to meet. I'd taken a somewhat cynical view regarding advanced aliens and what they must be like, it seems. I'm glad to hear that I was wrong.

I wonder if we are from the same timeline. My own world's version of history seems to differ tremendously from that of others here.