un: xspire

[synthsized]

At what point does something get the right to be called a person? What do they need to do to deserve that?

Has anyone ever thought about it?

Comments

[imitationsoul]

Though there is something to be said for names and address-ability in the power dynamics of the world (see: Judith Butler "Excitable Speech"), I can't agree with the thought that someone else gets to define your entire being.

Society is always trying to mold you one way or another, but the mold will forever be incomplete and its hold over a person is rooted in their very minds.

Not that I would discredit being in touch with your animal instincts and labeling yourself accordingly.

[ Just some strong feelings about being dehumanized around here. ]

[aibolition]

A fair point. Though I wonder how that applies in a case where any mold is shattered to bits. There's always exceptions to these little rules everyone's coming up with.

I'm tired of bullshit psuedo scientists playing experiment, which is a shame because I'm sure there's at least one secret or bold-faced sociopath here I could find who'd kick off some real chaos in this discussion. Oh well.

[imitationsoul]

Do you think of being a person as something undesirable?

[aibolition]

I think if you've got to chase after it perpetually like a dangled carrot no one intends to hand over, it's more trouble than it's worth. Especially if the only thing you win from it is more restriction.

I'm me. That's the only definition of self that I or anyone needs.

[imitationsoul]

That's fair.

It all comes down to a matter of definition anyway. To me, being 'me' and being a 'person' is the same thing. I don't feel like society as a whole is actually fit for people - not any of them, even those who try and assimilate. It's an approximation, violent in its forced benevolence.

I won't integrate. I won't become useful to them. I'm not a 'member of society'. I suppose that's how you see 'people'? As members of society?

[aibolition]

Now there's an interesting way to put it.

[Violent in its forced benevolence. He doesn't disapprove of her summary.]

I find "people" a vague term. Something that is not an object or a place might be defined as a person. But what then of objects who gain sentience? Or sentient beings who become objects? What about either in a case where only some people can perceive the sentience and others can't? Do splintered minds count as one or many people? And in that case, to what level is a body or mind the sole means to define a person? Does someone who steps away from society surrender humanity?

I could go on, as could every person who's taken to this thing.

But I'm going to stick by my own rule. You can choose to say you're not a person. I can choose to believe you are one. Since I can have a conversation with you and I don't particularly consider you a pain in the ass, I'd say you're person enough for me. Doesn't have to be true. When you're hardly a person, the lines get even more blurred for everyone else.