unforum

[krystyn]

Re: [META] Respect for others

[daboking]

I see your point, HitsHerMark (as Daboking hides from stick behind a rock)... maybe it is two sides of the same coin... whether calling it "pretending to be in game with characters" or saying that one is pretending it is not a game, is it not the same ultimate destination... immersing yourself interactively with the story as a participant? If you feel a good whack is in order, then I, as rookie pinata Daboking, shall peek head out for whack of said stick. as I want to play the game with right perspective.

[garamir]

[Phaedra]

Re: [META] In-game and out-of-game morality

[perrault]

So, what have we learned thus far? That if it came down to it, both in-game or in real life, we have a rare few among us that would be willing to do what needed to be done. And, that just like the SP issue, in the long run, this discussion will not affect things. Despite the number of people against turning in SP, it happened. It only takes one person. And it's exactly the same now. So if one of our "Hunters" get a live call, and are of the mind to appease Melissa and roleplay the part they've taken up... well, at least Dana is a smart and resourceful woman.

And just as a sidenote... By our terms, yes, Dana is an unarmed civilian. However, as far as Melissa is concerned, Dana has done something. She made an attempt on the only thing Melissa realizes as her life. Dana is capable of doing this again, she still likely has access to that webserver. So while Dana isn't armed in the sense of Swords 'N Nades or anything, she has a very dangerous weapon in her own abilities.

[Nova]

[daboking]

nicely put, perrault! Even though Dana may feel she can't trust folks anymore... I, for one, want to win her trust back. Is deleting a rogue A.I. murder?

[perrault]

Correction, she didn't manage to completely delete Melissa. But she did manage to delete some things. And there's really little reason to assume that she couldn't do the same thing several times again now. Her being wide awake and physical doesn't honestly change that much. There's only so much that she can do. It could be said that Melissa's only truly physical form is her crew. Of course, being an advanced AI, she could easily setup all forms of other trouble for Dana.

In the long run, though, I think perhaps we have misjudged Melissa's look on this. It could be said that she wants Dana killed due to vengeance. But perhaps it is more out of fear than we have previously thought.

[vector]

we as Meliassa'a crew comand the tool that she as. she doesnt comand us especialy since her ship is destroyed and she isnt on it. we have more information about the situation that Melissa does. We need to instruct Melissa in what to do, especialy when she is an AI that wants to kill for no apparent benifit other than for revenge.

[Phaedra]

[META] A final word about civility

[WhiteGulls]

Okay, onto analysing the post, please! -_- All this arguing is making me sad! Don't make me sad!

Anyways, how many of us sent emails to Dana over the last week or so? And how many of us asked Dana to figure out a new way to communicate with us? Basically, didn't she just tell us that she checks her voicemail? Couldn't that be the new form of communication? One a bit harder to use, but will eventually have some sort of a protocol for communication via it? I'm just [SPEC]ing here, but it's entirely possible that one of us could be chosen to speak for the community, and convey a message a couple of times each week to Dana. Just going by how much phones are used in this ARG.

Oh, and I just sent an email to Dana's address, with two messages - one for Dana, and one for Melissa, explaining Dana's intentions at the start. Maybe if someone replies...

[princeofthesword]

Honestly, I've travelled the virtual world in search of a friendly forum, and Unforum is the best I've ever encountered. Even with the Flood of Halo fans *coughs self cough*, things have rarely progressed further than teasing. So yes, friendly, reasonable conduct with regard to fellow players regardless of their gaming decision is required. Vaguely think of it this way...Thin Kinkle's voice actor is likely not evil. We, though on the forums are [META], are also role playing along with Dana, Melissa, even those from the future. Yes, it's a game. Let's have fun! I like the points made in the previous posts.

But also, there's a lesson being taught here. Painfully, as the .wavs show. For a long, long time, the Master Chief thought of nothing but killing the enemy, following orders, doing what he was trained. He had no emotion about it, and when he did, he didn't seem to understand his feelings. He even felt that it was impossible that there would be insurrection within the human camp. Impossible, to him. His struggle to return to humanity is just as much a key point as his struggle against the Covenant, even though one is much more obvious than the other.

We are being made to examine ourselves, and our in/out game decisions. It's been said before, but I'll elaborate. The sacrifice of the few for the good of the many. Who makes that decision? Is that decision justifiable? Is it morally right? When does it become morally wrong? (these are rhetorical questions, not directed towards anyone in particular)

Our choices here in regards to Dana are very much part of the story itself. Is she expendable? Is she a threat? Are we on her side, Melissa's, or our own? (rhetorical, again) If the blog has been commandeered by Melissa, then she's giving commands to make us help her find the real Dana. If it's Dana, then she's curt, hurt, and overall ticked. We came here to help her, and our in-game role has changed sides drastically.

Soapboxing, I for one have always believed that if you can't save everyone, you should die trying. I know in the military they train us to understand morality to a degree that some people might not even look at it... and we clearly understand that we're alive, others are alive, and that's who we're fighting for. Honestly I believe the majority of people in the military are our most moral souls. But yes, I tend to feel that if we can't save them all, we should die trying. Might not be the most sensible thing, but the heart rules the mind I guess.

To me, months and months ago, I felt that both Dana AND Melissa needed help. Melissa might be rather psychotic, but that was part of the need she had. Part of the problem we needed to solve for her. Protect Dana from her, and protect her from herself. Then I felt attached to SP, felt attached to all the characters as we've met them. And I'm definitely attached to everyone here at the forums.

So yes, to me, even though it's a game, and I am having fun, if it was real life I would do everything I could to save everyone...or foolishly die trying. Lost cause? Perhaps. But before we act, we should think about the apparent themes behind this story, and wonder what a brilliant, unique human life is worth. The captain of Apocalypso had family on Troy... Yasmine had family. Jersey's Dad has family. Even poor Durga seems to understand. And yet they pay such a price. The question being put to us is, "Is it worth it?" Who decides? When left up to the individual, I find that there will be many who step up to the plate and are ready for whatever it takes. However, it should be by choice, otherwise there is no drive behind it.

Forced to take sides, are we? I don't buy it. The SPARTAN team leaned towards "If you can't win, change the rules." I'm not saying we go META to "win," I'm saying that perhaps it's not as clear as it might seem. (This game? Clear?) I don't think we're picking sides at all, we all have the goal of what is right in mind, I believe. The Crew wants to help Melissa, SP army wants to help SP, the new Dana army wants to help Dana. Heh and I'm for all of them. Go teams! Key word in those is "help." Let's do what we can to help them all, together. I believe that might be the key to the game. A lesson learned, perhaps? For any of us.

I believe the Chief will find reason to fight, other than all his training. I believe he'll realize (and is realizing) that he's human, not just a SPARTAN. So yes, as an in/out game question, to us all, is it worth it? Let your heart decide. Farewell.

[SuperJerms]

Re: [META] In-game and out-of-game morality

[perrault]

[nobodyman]

Re: [META] A final word about civility