Welcome to Gaia! ::

Why Not?

Back to Guilds

No rules, just Fun! Join today. 

Tags: Roleplaying, Polls, Spam 

Reply "IDT" Intelligent Discussion Threads!
Evil Goto Page: 1 2 3 ... 4 5 [>] [»|]

Quick Reply

Enter both words below, separated by a space:

Can't read the text? Click here

Submit

User_2961583

PostPosted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 2:31 pm


I've been thinking lately. About why there's evil or bad guys. And I realized, without bad people, everyone would be happy and content. There would be no need for change. Nothing would evolve. If you destroy something, something even better will take it's place.

That principle (If you destroy something, something even better will take it's place.) can be applied to anything. I hate to say it, but things like 9/11 or Columbine apply too.

When I talked to someone about this, they said:
Anonymous
like what a longer Tower? how is that better?


Things like better airport security, or a greater awareness of Terrorism. Don't get me wrong, I don't think 9/11 should have happened.

The point I'm trying to make is:
If we didn't have someone evil, or someone destroying something, humanity would never get better.

Did you know that our economy thrives and new technologies are discovered more often in war then not? If not for those wars, we wouldn't have discovered those technologies.

Discuss:

-Your opinion on the principle
PostPosted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 2:35 pm


I kinda sorta agree with you, but if there were no evil, I think that we wouldn't have to worry about bombs, police people, or anything

x.XNameleszX.x


Cornelius loh Quatious

PostPosted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 4:41 pm


Without evil, there can be no concept of good. That said, I don't believe anything is truly evil. Everything results in something at least slightly beneficial, even if we don't realize it. We also have to look at things from perspectives other than our own. Columbine made people realize the plight of ignored victims in high schools. Sept. 11th garnered ridiculous power and influence to the American govenrnment.

All is open to interpretation.

"All things are better in the end. If it's not better, it's not the end."

However, this could also easily be interpreted with the opposite, that all things eventually end badly. That good is also necessary for evil to exist, and that good things eventually reap bad results. For example, the introduction of new species into foreign environments. What seemed like a good idea at the time eventually led the the destruction of ecosystems and elimination of species in places like the Pacific Islands, the SF Bay, and various places around the globe. Imperialists thought they were being good Christians when the colonized places like Africa. What happened was poverty and despair for generations.

The list goes on and on, for both sides.

"Happy endings are just stories that haven't finished yet."

So take your pick, both are equaly valid points, and we'll never know the answer because none of us are going to be around to see what the real ending is. If it ever happens, anyway.
PostPosted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 6:20 pm


You really need to get your hands on the works of Alan Moore. His comics address the idea of "good" and "bad" very well.

As for the concept of good and bad, in reality it's mostly a matter of perspective. Even the nazis thought they were doing good. That is not necessarily to say that their decisions were just, granted, but keep in mind that there were a lot soldiers and generals did not look upon their works and say "we are evil people."

I have a friend who was studying the idea of good and evil, and how thanks to media we don't really deconstruct why "the bad guys" do what they are doing. Because of sensationalism among other things, we identify the enemy as simply that: the enemy. We don't know who they are, what caused them to become what they are, and how they got to where they are right now.

Let's look at the state of the Middle East right now. Their people and their governments are demonized, with Islam being a swearword whispered among the populace in silence. When people think of Islam and Mid-East countries like Iran or Iraq we think of tyrranical men, beaten and ravaged women dressed in robes, a monstrous government and terrorist training camp. Needless to say, this is an exaggeration, as writers like Azar Nafisi can attest to. The Islamic faith was a lot more lenient until Ayatollah Khomeini came into power, then things started going crazy. Why? My guess is because they felt threatened by the overwhelming power of the West and globalization, and were afraid that they would lose their national identity.


Back on the topic, because I am veering, I do agree that good and evil are two forces that feed off of each other in order for one to produce the other. You can't make an omelette without breaking a few eggs, as they say. It is sad that people in this day and age don't address a problem until it actually becomes a problem. For example, gun violence in my city is starting to be addressed with the rise of gun-related murders. In an ideal world the problem would be dealt with the exact moment it became a problem, and wouldn't wait for it to escalate. But that's in a perfect world. In reality, those who do not learn from the past are doomed to repeat it.

That doesn't mean we have to wait for a tragedy before some good can emerge. We, the youth of the world who are loud and handsome enough to be heard, can actually go out there and uproot the weeds before they grow. We can join Greenpeace, volunteer in child care centres, recycle, show good will towards all men and women, and be generally very, well, generous. *shrug*

These are naught but my disjointed thoughts.

bfdhshsgvjggh


Cornelius loh Quatious

PostPosted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 9:02 pm


League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Vol. 1: done
League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Vol. 2: done
V for Vendetta: will purchase shortly
Watchmen: will purchase later

lol

Greenpeace? I dunno, they're a little on the extreme side for my tastes.

Where you from, dude? Gun violence has never really been addressed at my hometown because it wasn't an issue. Hop on the freeway for a bit into Downtown LA, and suddenly it becomes an issue. The key is always perspective, especially what you're getting info from. I'm taking this class on Sept. 11th, actually, and it turns out that there was a whole heckuva lot I didn't know about Islam and the Middle East. Khomeini in Iran is about as extreme as you can get; other places in the Middle East like Saudi Arabia are much friendlier towards the West and Western culture.
PostPosted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 9:14 pm


dboyzero
League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Vol. 1: done
League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Vol. 2: done
V for Vendetta: will purchase shortly
Watchmen: will purchase later

lol

Greenpeace? I dunno, they're a little on the extreme side for my tastes.


You should get V and Watchmen, like, now. Seriously I don't care if you have to break into a comic book store late at night and trounce the security guard. They demand immediate attention.

dboyzero
Where you from, dude? Gun violence has never really been addressed at my hometown because it wasn't an issue. Hop on the freeway for a bit into Downtown LA, and suddenly it becomes an issue.


Greater Toronto Area.

We've been having a lot of problems with the Tamil Tigers and street gangs as of late. A few shootings here a few stray bullets there...nasty stuff.

dboyzero
The key is always perspective, especially what you're getting info from. I'm taking this class on Sept. 11th, actually, and it turns out that there was a whole heckuva lot I didn't know about Islam and the Middle East. Khomeini in Iran is about as extreme as you can get; other places in the Middle East like Saudi Arabia are much friendlier towards the West and Western culture.


Precisely, but sadly with all groups the louder ones are the ones who are heard first. Thanks to maniacs like Khomeini the entire world thinks Iran is populated with lil' Ayatollahs (hm, chibi Ayatollah Khomeini...there's an image I didn't need). There are very friendly Islamic countries out there as well. Look at Morocco (sp?). My supervisor from my workplace came back from there and she had a great time - nobody mugged her or nothing. Total awesome.

bfdhshsgvjggh


-_- The_Irish_Bard -_-

PostPosted: Sat Apr 01, 2006 9:48 pm


Well, I've been trying to learn to be evil. I need to toughen up or else I'll become a push-over. Perhaps you guys could teach me?
PostPosted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 8:30 am


RaicomRepent
Well, I've been trying to learn to be evil. I need to toughen up or else I'll become a push-over. Perhaps you guys could teach me?


Uh...there's a difference between toughening up and becoming evil.

There is, in fact, a HUGE difference.

Toughening up implies going out to change your very being to avoid prejudice. This can come through a number of means, such as taking martial arts classes, joining debate clubs (or any kind of club that involves discussion for that matter), and talking to people who would be considered unflappable.

To put it simply, being "evil", on the other hand, implies a blatant disregard for all things - including bystanders, friends and family. Something tells me you don't want to be that.

bfdhshsgvjggh


-_- The_Irish_Bard -_-

PostPosted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 9:39 am


But you still need evil to use your toughen-up...ness
PostPosted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 1:54 pm


RaicomRepent
But you still need evil to use your toughen-up...ness


I'm not evil, nor have I ever resorted to evil for my benefit, and my skin's thicker than it was two, three years ago.

Explain how you think you "need evil" in order to toughen yourself up.

bfdhshsgvjggh


Cornelius loh Quatious

PostPosted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 12:38 pm


A great deal of people associate being "tough" to being evil, it's a common misconception, as the concept of evil itself is defined by current societal standards. There was indeed a time when being tough (standing up on your own two feet, not backing down from fights, a lack of respect for authority, etc.) was called "evil," but this era ended almost twenty years ago.

Tough - somewhere near the Chaotic end of the spectrum, but ranges from Good to Evil like anything else.
PostPosted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 1:55 pm


Ever-Infamous Kojiro-san
RaicomRepent
But you still need evil to use your toughen-up...ness


I'm not evil, nor have I ever resorted to evil for my benefit, and my skin's thicker than it was two, three years ago.

Explain how you think you "need evil" in order to toughen yourself up.


I don't want to hear your life's story! Just teach me to be evil.

-_- The_Irish_Bard -_-


Cornelius loh Quatious

PostPosted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 10:32 pm


RaicomRepent

I don't want to hear your life's story! Just teach me to be evil.


Heh. You wanna be evil?

Think about the person in your life that you love more than anything else. Could be your parent, sibling, romantic interest, whatever. Find that person, and give them the biggest hug you've ever given anyone.

Then kill them.
PostPosted: Tue Apr 04, 2006 8:10 am


If there is no evil in heaven, won't it get boring?

Deo_Machina


Strideo
Crew

PostPosted: Tue Apr 04, 2006 8:29 am


dboyzero
RaicomRepent

I don't want to hear your life's story! Just teach me to be evil.


Heh. You wanna be evil?

Think about the person in your life that you love more than anything else. Could be your parent, sibling, romantic interest, whatever. Find that person, and give them the biggest hug you've ever given anyone.

Then kill them.
eek *shivers*
That IS evil. . .
Reply
"IDT" Intelligent Discussion Threads!

Goto Page: 1 2 3 ... 4 5 [>] [»|]
 
Manage Your Items
Other Stuff
Get GCash
Offers
Get Items
More Items
Where Everyone Hangs Out
Other Community Areas
Virtual Spaces
Fun Stuff
Gaia's Games
Mini-Games
Play with GCash
Play with Platinum