ϟ ϟ 3rd ϟ ϟ Violent Science

[square_cubelaw]

[You know what's cool, but not too usable on a day to day basis? A gun that supercharges electricity and launches a devastating but uncontrolled blast of it

Comments

A

[cramschoolgod]

[From her room:]

Yes, I'm in here. Shall I come down?

[square_cubelaw]

Who doesn't like dancing?

[cramschoolgod]

I'm in complete ignorance about the purpose it's supposed to serve. As a social ritual, centuries ago in Europe, in order to allow for fraternization of the sexes, it made a certain amount of sense--in that I understood why it existed. As a kind of artistic performance, it makes a certain amount of sense, though I have to say I value more things that convey more ideas, but again, I understand why it exists. As a mating activity, I suppose it is marginally valid. As 'fun', I don't think it makes any sense at all. Why would I want to move my limbs in various repetitive ways, and worse yet, be involved with the possibility of running into others who are doing so just as poorly?

[square_cubelaw]

You've never been to a dance have you?

[cramschoolgod]

Again. Why would I want to?

[square_cubelaw]

If you never tried it how do you know you won't like it?

[cramschoolgod]

For the same reasons that I can make judgments about other things that can be transmitted through learning and inference, rather than through having direct experiences. I have always been quite sure, for example, that I have no reason to enjoy the vast majority of sports, without needing to try every one of them. It can be taken to extremes; I also know, for example, that I don't want to drink poison.

[square_cubelaw]

But people do have fun going to dances. Drinking poison is kind of the opposite of fun.

If you don't want to go though I can't force you to go and have fun. If you need me at that time though, I'll be there.

[cramschoolgod]

I have no interest in such things, truly. Frankly, it has no conceivable rational end, except the propagation of the species, and there are far more rational ways to go about that; but thank you anyway, Robo.

[square_cubelaw]

[Yeah, he'll let that one go... for now.]

You should have the house to yourself, the pet and that drone kid that night. Don't get into too much trouble.

[cramschoolgod]

How often do I get into trouble?

Ah, and does this mean you and Glados are both going?

[square_cubelaw]

It was a joke, though maybe you should get yourself in some trouble now and then. Everyone does when they're younger.

I'm taking her, it might take more convincing but she's coming along.

[cramschoolgod]

I've never found that 'everyone does' is a compelling reason to do anything. If anything, it's a reason to rethink it. Why does everyone do it? Could better results be obtained by not doing it, and no one is willing to try?

[She raises an eyebrow.] You're planning to dance with Glados? You really think she has an interest in such a thing?

[square_cubelaw]

There's also the whole concept of experiencing it yourself.

[Glados?]

Probably not, but I'm human for probably the only time in my existence. I am going to try dancing when my feet aren't heavy enough to crack the floor.

[cramschoolgod]

Naturally, it would be useful to do so in some cases. However, dancing doesn't appear to be anything more than an extension of the way bodies usually move. It does not seem like it's so unfamiliar that I'd need to experience it to understand it, or be repulsed by it.