askandanswer | (no subject)

Your use to others. A human being that cannot put in their effort should be abandoned in the winters of Briggs!

A very straightforward view as always, Major General.

What would you call sufficient 'use' or 'effort' then? Are those who aren't cut out for the harsh life of a soldier of the same value as those who do serve and defend their country?

When did I say the military is the only way to make yourself useful? Especially if you include those spineless weasels who cower at Central. They wear the uniform - this uniform - but contribute nothing. At least one of them became useful filler for my fort. It was more than he deserved.

Ah, so that's what you did with General Raven. How ruthless.

I was using the military as an example primarily. To rephrase the question, do you consider a civilian to be of equal value to one of your men? What about an artist and a builder? They may both strive equally hard in their chosen professions but arguably only one contributes to society in a useful manner.

One must be ruthless to survive in the military. That is why one day my brother will be squeezed out of it for the coward he is.

Arguably. Expected from someone who enjoys the sound of destruction.

Mm. I was surprised to hear he continues to serve despite his actions in Ishval. I had thought he might turn in his state license, considering how he left the battlefield.

That's too harsh. I have the utmost respect for any skilled artist. A life dedicated to creating beauty is not to be looked down on, don't you agree?

He was too much of a coward to fight, but is too much of a coward to leave. He did not receive this from the Armstrong line; he is weak, barely worthy of the name.

You've proven my point, fool.

A shame. His alchemy is very impressive. Perhaps it would be better utilised by someone such as yourself.

I see. So you have no appreciation for the arts at all? How sad.

I was not deemed fit for alchemy. I did not have the patience.

"A life dedicated to creating beauty is not to be looked down on." The artist has created beauty. He creates something of worth.

Ah, I see. I do apologise for the misunderstanding. I wasn't suggesting that I personally consider the arts not to be a useful contribution to society, merely that there are those who do consider them as such. But since we can both agree that a life spent creating beauty has worth there's little point in pursuing the argument, yes?

I don't know, I always kind of thought that everyone's life has value.

Certainly but with so many people in the world it's important to be able to distinguish oneself.

Let me put it another way. What is your contribution to the world? What is your purpose in living?

My contribution?

[That's easier anyway, and he feels like the guy isn't trying to make it sound like some people are worth more than others.]

I guess I want to help people, maybe give them something to look up to and hope for. Kinda cheesy I know, but I like to think that maybe other people will try to be better as well because of it.

An interesting, if naive goal. So how do you endeavour to achieve this? 'Helping' or 'inspiring' others is rather ambiguous.

Well I'm a superhero? It kinda goes with the territory. And you'd be surprised how much of an effect that has on people. Sure, maybe we can't fix the world immediately or make people change easily, but it all adds up and makes a difference in the long run.

'Superhero'? I'm afraid I'm not familiar with the term. Perhaps you could enlighten me as to it's meaning? I'm also curious what exactly you mean by 'fixing' the world. It's seems a rather loaded statement if you'll forgive me for saying so.

Really? I guess they're pretty standard where I'm from. People with powers and costumes or just a lot of willpower and some training who work to keep everyone else safe, that kind of thing. Me? I've got superspeed and I work out of the twin cities, Central and Keystone. I also work with some other heroes to save the world a few times.

[He grins, not too concerned by the 'loaded statement' bit.]

Stuff like keeping crime rates low, helping with disasters and threats, problems like that. Some of them can't be fixed easily, but we try our best, right?

How interesting. I've never heard of such a thing. I'd be curious to hear more another time if you'd be willing.

So your chosen role is the protection of others. And do you stay true to this purpose no matter how difficult it becomes?

Nearly everything.

How self-assured of you. If you are so invaluable, then what have you contributed to the world at large to demonstrate this?

I've saved countless innocent lives, not to mention untold amounts of taxpayers' money in property damage costs.

( it's worse when jean-paul is smug because he's right. )

Not to mention the three gold medals I won representing Canada in the Olympic games. A small, trifling achievement.

And what have you done with your life?

[It's much better when someone is smug and right than just plain smug. The former is at least justified and he can appreciate someone having confidence in their worth.]

That's a much better answer, now isn't it? I'm afraid I'm not familiar with these games you mention- [His home country Amestris has been fairly constantly at war with it's neighbours throughout it's history. Even if something like the Olympics existed they likely wouldn't participate.] -but I'm rather more interested in hearing about your profession.

As for myself, I spent much of my life serving my country as a State Alchemist within the military. I was involved in a number of assignments that were intended to shape the future of the country and played a significant role in resolving a major conflict that had been on-going for some years.

I have an amazing arse. So there's that.

[ probably there's also a serious answer to this incoming. probably. ]

A matter of perception, no insult intended. And it's hard to say an admirable physical attribute grants a life value compared to any other.

Well, it's a joke.

But, hey: I don't distinguish myself from my peers, or I try not to, anyway. That is a choice I have made. What gives my life value to me, personally, is its connection to them; I don't think I could comfortably aggrandize myself by saying "this is what makes me valuable to society." Particularly since the society I live in is a capitalist one which values its members primarily for their earning potential. I just finished medical school, and, aside from medicine, the main thing I learned there is that quite a few doctors are fucking useless, so that doesn't even work.

Also, I'm twenty-two, and declaring a purpose in life at this stage seems like an invitation for fate to knock me back and laugh.

Edited 2014-09-24 14:32 (UTC)

Do you intend to be one of these 'useless' doctors you mention or one that stays true to their purpose? If it's the latter isn't that enough to give your life value and to make you stand out from those around you? A life can have worth without being considered extraordinary.

My boobs are perfect. Like, literally, they're perfect. They're real, and they're spectacular.

[There's a chance she's telling the truth, and a chance she's quoting Seinfeld. It's anybody's guess.]

[Being as he has never even heard of a 'Seinfeld' he'll have to assume option A.]

Not what I'd normally consider as giving a life value but if that truly is the only aspect of yourself you see as being of worth then so be it.

Wow, you're the one saying "only" here, Tiger. Why are you so body negative? Were you traumatized by boobs as a kid? Why do you hate women's bodies so much? I'm getting a very strong 40-Year-Old-Virgin vibe, is that what's going on here? That is so, so sad for you.

You're very quick to exaggerate unnecessarily.

My meaning was simply that such purely physical attributes can only contribute so much to the value of a life. An individual may be pleasing to the eye and yet a terrible conversation partner for example. I know which I personally find to be more appealing and which tends to endure best.

Shall I ask instead what aspects of yourself that you have personally shaped you consider to be of greatest worth?