157 visions of the future // I am not late; my timing was quite intentional, I assure you.

[i_themagician]

Believe it or not, most people will knowingly press a button that will inflict pain on someone else for no reason other than because they were told to. Some people will even do it without being told and for no reward. Should it really surprise anyone, then, that such a device that seems to come from a figure of some power and authority and with

Comments

[its_kobato]

It would harm my heart just to know that I had hurt another for myself. It's just as painful either way.

[i_themagician]

That sort of thinking is rare, I'm afraid. I think that most of us, although we aspire to be like that, cannot help but reason that it's okay just in this one instance.

I hope this realization doesn't hurt you too much.

[its_kobato]

But why would someone do such a thing, knowing that another could suffer because of it?

[i_themagician]

... That's difficult to explain. They rationalize it one way or another, by convincing themselves that they are somehow entitled to do so.

[mis_match]

Those are frightening thoughts indeed. But you speak as though you do not know who delivered the boxes. Are they not from the so-called deities, the same beings that brought us here?

[i_themagician]

I think they are, but at the same time it does not say so.

[mis_match]

I should think that the effects of these boxes are signature enough. Who else here would have such power?

[i_themagician]

There are those above the deities.

[moresake]

Presumption is a favorite tool of those who do not wish to ask.

[i_themagician]

And also quite a dangerous one.

[moresake]

It has very definite consequences, yes.

[i_themagician]

I believe it is the cause of smugness.

[li_xiao_lang]

But why would we be judged?

[i_themagician]

There are two explanations for that.

The first one proposes that the authors of the note are higher beings who are themselves infinitely wise and just, and it is simply their job and purpose in existing to judge the moral character of those lesser beings around them.

The second explanation observes that judgment is a base function of consciousness, and that any being with the ability to see inside a person's heart cannot help but judge its contents whether or not it technically possesses the right to do so.

[li_xiao_lang]

Deities or not, I don't think they have the right. It just means they have more power than we do.

[i_themagician]

I'm not entirely certain on the matter, myself.

[iactmore]

So you think that the cursed people will find out who cursed them?

[i_themagician]

It's certainly possible.

I like to hope, however, that they did not press their buttons in haste and that whatever they received from it it will have been worth all of the consequences.

[iactmore]

Those stupid boxes are worthless.

KEYWORDS, GWEN.

[i_themagician]

Are they? What a shame.