omegafriends | (no subject)

A
[audio post]

Ah... So, in a competitive system where each individual begins with the same opportunities and outcome is influenced only by skill and motivation to succeed - but success is necessarily attained at the expense of others - what characteristics would disqualify an individual from competing altogether?

I ask out of curiosity, as the conditions of a certain ongoing contest seem to parallel those of the world at large. People tend to characterize those who fail to participate in society as lazy or degenerate, but in reality it is the collective that decides whether an individual may compete - and that decision generally has little to do with ability.

My hypothesis is that human beings are not actually comfortable with participating in such a system, but must be convinced and trained to do so. Rejecting those who, for whatever reason, do not fit the competitive model is part of that process.

B
[ action post, later, at the Gold Mill ]

Sherri didn't go much for dancing, but he did enjoy orchestras and jazz music. More than that, the jazz club was a good place to sit and think about recent events with just the right amount of distraction. In any case, the atmosphere seems perfect for slightly-melancholy contemplation and being mysterious while wearing a snazzy suit. If anyone approaches him they will find that he is quite open to company, though.

C
[ less mundane action post, even later, anywhere in the city ]

Someone might have taken that audio post as an invitation - or perhaps they just really wanted to offer some intellectual criticism in the form of punching. Hopefully they won't forget to keep their crit (re)constructive!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

She just listened to the first part and just kind of stared blankly at the fact he was being sarcastic at her. Then the latter part there. "Yes. Since I know how to communicate in the language of humans, I can do so without thought and without confusing everyone around me with speech that sounds like I just found out what big words are."

"Ah... well, at least I've successfully learned them." He smirked slightly. "If I met another Skrell who misused language the way you do, I would assume they were mentally deficient."

"Words in human languages have multiple meanings and being able to derive their actual meaning from context is quite key. You seem incapable of doing even that most insignificant concept that human children have mastered, I imagine most humans you've met would consider you an idiot."

Hearing all of this come over his watch while he was trying to patrol the rooftops was starting to get a little tedious, so Darkwing stopped to perch on a fire escape and switched on his own audio, before commenting dryly:

"Congratulations, you both have big dictionaries. Sheeeeeeez. Put a collective cork in it! Some of us are trying to work, here."

"Indeed. Ah... Hunter, was it? If you'd like to waste any more of my time, I could give you my cell phone number."

"How about we just find out where that transmitter before get annoyed enough to break your watch."

"Threats? Is that how civilized people conduct themselves?"

"I generally am making sure civilization isn't attacked. That requires some... violent urges."

"Make whatever excuses you must, I suppose."

"Blah blah."

Darkwing raised an eyebrow at his watch. This was worse than when Quackerjack and Megavolt woukd start bickering mid-battle. "......yeeeeeah. Okay. You crazy kids have fun. I'll be over here actually working."