(no subject)

[stonebender]

lysana

You realize that I could write a book on most of these questions?

1) You have been granted true god power over the SF Bay Poly mailing list (as opposed to listowner, which is mere demigod status). You can rewrite it to your dreams, from software through topics and flamewars. What do you do with it?

The list software would be voice-activated and sentient. It would automatically filter all the spam. It would handle sub and unsub requests from folk who can't cope with the web site. It would translate messages into what the authors mean to say in a way that everyone reading those messages would understand them and take them constructively.

2) What do you do when you've done something unforgiveable? You may take this question as generic or specific to your comfort level.

I'm still struggling with this question myself. I think you accept responsibility for whatever you did. You try to do what you can to minimize whatever damage you have caused. You continue to make efforts to repair the damage and try to accept whatever directions the injured party gives you to move towards whatever actions can mitigate what you did.

3) Is it possible for non-sentient beings to grant consent?

No it isn't. This question refers to a book review list I wrote for serenejournal. I think I made my response too short. David Brin's Uplift books presents a world that I find incredibly paternal and patronizing. I meant to compare it to how the medical profession handles children with disabilities. As I was growing up. There was a great deal of energy focused on making me as close to able-bodied as I could be. Since I couldn't be very able-bodied at all. These efforts were doomed to failure and much of that failure felt like my fault. So they were ultimately more damaging than helpful. What compounds all of this is that the object of these efforts (me) was never asked if the goal was useful or valuable to me.

What's tricky is if I was asked at the time whether I wanted to be able-bodied, I would say yes. How do you ask consent of someone who can't really perceive the consequences of an action? You got me, but if one can't really ask the person who will pay the price for doing something. How can you ethically do it?


4) Which artist, living or dead, would you most like to have paint your body and then photograph it for posterity?

This one's really hard for me. Perhaps Rodin? He wouldn't be a bad choice.

5) Why weren't you at BayCon this year?

I used to go to BayCon all the time. I'm not sure when it happened but at some point WisCon got scheduled against it. Whenever that happened, most of my friends started going to WisCon. I'm not the most gregarious person and had trouble meeting new people. So BayCon became less and less fun for me.

I actually thought of coming this year. At least for a day, but getting a ride and money got in the way. I plan on going next year since it appears that I know more folk who will be there.

Comments

[nolly.livejournal.com]

David Brin's Uplift books presents a world that I find incredibly paternal and patronizing.

Have you met Mr. Brin?

[stonebender.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately yes, which is the main reason I can't read any of his books anymore