Of Wings and Dreams
by Tarnos
I tire of this debate. Do not misunderstand, I would do it again had I the chance, however, all that had to be said was said. Both sides have given their reasons; both sides have critiqued those reasons; and now it ends. No one can win this debate, for it is a debate on beliefs. Were there a debate betwixt one who worshiped Erosia and one who worshiped Bast, who would ultimately win? Neither one, the one who worships Erosia would state that Love is the greatest accomplishment that man can achieve, while the one who worships Bast would argue that Love is nothing more than a lie meant to enslave those that follow it and prevent them from enjoying the true pleasures of life. Both have a good case, yet, who is right? Many among you might say,
Comparing the beliefs of those that worship the gods of the Aether would be like comparing an eye to a hand. Both are excellent for their role, nevertheless, neither one is above the other, in the eyes of the whole. For most assuredly the hand would say that it is better as the eye would say the same. But you, Tarnos, compare the hand, or even the whole body, against wings, which humans do not have.
Oh, but what wings we have. Ours are the wings of the imagination. While real wings can only take us so far, the wings of the mind can cross between worlds, times, places, and more. Unbound are we, but by ourselves. Thinking within the established parameter, how I pity those that do. Nothing is gained by doing that which has already been done. To leave the box, to extend the mind, to journey beyond the confines of that which has been accepted. This is the true nature of a scholar, at least to me. Anyone can read a book and cite the passages. Oh, how you revel so in that. Pray tell, to you not realize what has gone into making that book? Did the words just fall from a tree? No, first there was an idea, then there was conflict, and then there was the truth. Why do we treasure these books so? Because, they expanded the understanding of a civilization. These men used their wings and flew outside what society had held so dear, and in their wake, forced it to examine itself. Many flew with hopes aflame and returned with nothing. Others flew and found that which they sought and society, realizing the truth, was forced to change.
Let us examine what I have proposed. First we must look for my main idea. Much of this debate has been hindered by mote points. Primarily Lethean. While she is the main topic of my second paper she was not the reason that I began writing, nor the main idea of my first paper. Let us cut away Lethean, the Aether and the nothingness, what do we have left? The main idea. Which is what? That there might be more out there than we know and that we should earnestly try to discover it.
What is the conflict? Simple, there are those that do not see it fit that we should play in the fields of the gods. They argue that all will come in time, and if we need to know, we shall be informed. This is the safe group. The middle group suggests that while there is surly more to learn we should take care as to the theories that we create. For we do not know what we are dealing with. Lastly there are the radicals, they believe that there is more out there and that we should take an active role in discovering it. Be it the gods will or not.
What is the truth that has been discovered? To each his own, simple but true. There is no right or wrong answer here, for what we have done is looked deep into our souls and established which of the three groups we are in. Why have I done this? To sow the seeds of curiosity in all. This world is more than just questing, exploring, and hunting. We all have ideas, some more radical than others, yet, we do not share them with the world. We are part of a whole, and as such, we should share our opinions to the whole. Never be afraid to die for your beliefs. If you give up on what you believe you will give up a bit of yourself, and in turn, kill a bit of yourself.
Through all the papers, all the arguments, all the posts, meetings, and discussions all that I am trying to say is:
Dare to imagine and never give up on your ideas.
P.S. I am sure that someone will think that I am trying to escape responsibility for my actions by claiming that this paper was written to clear myself of defying the Aether. They would be wrong. While the theory of Lethean was not the primary reason for writing my first paper, I stand by what I said about her in my second paper. My third paper, what you are reading, was written to explain the reason why I wrote the first paper. I would prefer, as I am sure many of you would, to change the topic. I implore anyone who has a theory to post it so that we can then discuss that. Fear not, I have not finished writing I still have many ideas that I need to purge from my heretic mind.
