IC CR Meme

[guitar_hero]

»◦Step One◦« Give your character a top level~

»◦Step Two◦« Comment on other character's top levels about how your character feels ICly about theirs in as many (or few) words as you like~


»◦Step Three◦« ???????

»◦Step Four◦« Profit

Comments

[theyseemeroland]

Considering my area of expertise, I think I know more about the nature of various systems of government than you do.

You and I have very different ideas of fun. [Hint: Fun doesn't involve hurting people, whether physically, verbally, or emotionally.]

If you really want me to be blunt about it, very well:

I can scarcely say a sentence to you without you finding something wrong with it. Under constant nitpicking criticism like that, I'm not inclined to spend time with you unless I absolutely have to.

[youfool]

Pulling rank, eh? Appealing to authority? I fear the worst parts of monarchy may have rubbed off on you.

[What about sparring? People get hurt in that, and it's da best.]

Well we are in something like an argument. It's only natural. Just think of it like fencing. Repartee, counters, and all that.

[theyseemeroland]

Would you walk up to someone with a doctorate in immunology and tell them you know more about vaccines than they do? It's the same thing.

That's the thing, I can't have a casual conversation with you without you turning into an argument. I might be a politician, but I don't actually enjoy arguing, especially with someone who hardly ever concedes a point.

[youfool]

No, since who knows more, as a quantity, isn't very interesting. But if it were some facet about his subject, why not? Seems like he'd have much to say. Indeed, I'd be put out if he declined to talk at all, with the only excuse that his expertise should mean everyone else's silence.

[A sly grin spreads.]

Roland, did you honestly start with a criticism with its root in the Bible, then cry foul for want of a casual conversation? There may be a contradiction there.

Or you're just barking mad, haha.

[theyseemeroland]

I'd talk about it if you actually listened and didn't dismiss my points out of hand.

I'm not talking about this conversation. I'm talking about other conversations we've had.

[youfool]

As I said, I listen perfectly! It's just the agreement that's hard-won.

[He wonders whether people might confuse the two.]

And I never dismiss! Beat down or demolish, perhaps, but I'm ever engaged. Well, if it's too much for you, we might talk about only what we agree upon and how much.

[But where's the fun in that?]

[theyseemeroland]

[No, Ted, just going "nuh-uh" and repeating yourself isn't "beating down" or "demolishing" an argument.]

For someone who loves arguing so much, you're not very good at it. There's a middle ground between disagreeing with everything someone says and creating an echo chamber.

[Black and white thinking? False dichotomy? Strawman? All of the above?]

The nitpicking thing is only the biggest problem I've come across, but I think everything that makes you less than likable stems from a single flaw.

[youfool]

You're so coquettish with your criticisms. It's all right, Roland. I'm not North Korea; I won't lose my top if you break eggshells.

["Vague" might be a better word, but he's trying to be nicer.]

[theyseemeroland]

[That's another problem Roland has with him: The pretentious vocabulary. He doesn't like having to have a dictionary on hand just to talk to someone, thanks.]

Let me ask you something:

How often does the idea that you might be wrong about something even occur to you, if ever?

[youfool]

[He is, surprisingly, not pretentious! He just genuinely enjoys words and novelty. Way to assume malice, Roland. Y_Y]

Often. I rather hope I'm wrong about something very important, lest I be forced to reckon with a great and astoundingly common evil.

[theyseemeroland]

[Still pretentious. And Ted doesn't really have room to talk when it comes to assuming malice, does he?]

Uh-huh.

[How does that meme go again? X: Doubt?]

Hoping that you're wrong about something isn't really the same as entertaining the possibility that you're wrong about something, though.

[youfool]

Trust me, me being wrong about things is entertaining only if you have a hearty appetite for black humor. Appropriate for a Russian, less so for an American.

Though I would be very entertained if you could explain how one could hope for something without thinking of it.

[theyseemeroland]

That's not what "entertaining" a possibility means and you should know that.

[If that's his idea of a joke, it's not a good one. At all.]

The former is an attempt at optimism, the latter is an exercise in humility.

[AKA something Ted doesn't have.]

I really don't know why I'm wasting time trying to convince you of anything when you don't seriously consider any ideas contrary to your own.

[youfool]

[With sweet drollness]

Yes, Roland, I was having a play on words.

[Also known as: fun, Roland's constant enemy]

Haha, I consider them, they're simply too weak or wrong to withstand scrutiny. When they bother showing up at all. The alternative idea, this mythical thing I've refused recognition, is never defended. Never supported with argument. Just nakedly asserted and then, curiously, shocked when it's denied deference.

I'll be happy to take an idea seriously when it's seriously armed. But if it's little more than gas and billowy bluster, I might have to take the wind out of its sails.

[Sure, Ted thinks he might be wrong. But on those rare occasions, they're probably exceptions that prove the rule.]

[theyseemeroland]

[A serious argument isn't the place for "fun", Ted, especially your brand of "fun".]

You really haven't been listening to a word I've said.

[Or he's just lying.]

I've refuted every opinion you've stated and supported my own points, but you go on talking like I haven't said anything. You haven't even asked any questions in good faith.

[Prime example: Kingmakers. Roland's mentioned them and how they work again and again, but no questions.]

It's like talking to a brick wall.

[Does Ted even realize that the burden of proof is on him in the first place, for making the black-and-white claim of "monarchies are inherently and always bad, no exceptions ever, and you're a horrible person and a borderline traitor for helping make one"?]

The whole point of this was for me to tell you what I think of you, isn't it? Trying to be nice about it and soften the blow with humor just gave you the opportunity to twist my words around, so I'll have to be blunt.

I don't like you. I don't like being around you. That isn't going to change until you stop being so arrogant and stop jumping at every opportunity to argue and criticize and put other people down.

[He really doesn't like using such confrontational and critical language, but Ted is seriously getting on his last nerve.]

That's it. I'm done.

[It's going to be really interesting to see how Ted will turn "I don't like you" into an opportunity to attack him.]

[youfool]

[Trying to get Ted to take things seriously is an uphill battle, especially in Genessia, where what really deserves seriousness is passed over with cold indifference.

He doesn't really think Roland's evil for aiding a monarchy. He understands that it was a desperate time, and the people probably weren't fit for better. He also understands that "king" is used pretty fast and loose and was likely indistinguishable from a governor. It was simply a return tit for tat. Ironically, Roland may be taking Ted too seriously, which is an attitude he finds fundamentally confusing. Has he seen the way he dresses?]

Mm, I see. Well, thank you for your candor. I'm sorry you feel that way. Good morning.

[He found most of the argument insubstantial, full of naked assertion and catchphrases. But it was revealing in how, to him, simple people thought. The proud, the serious, can't stand argument or mockery, which he likes. They also like it when you ask questions about their past and other things that probably haven't much relevance going forward.

Alas, Ted will always have the mindset of a comedian: attentive to contradictions and absurdities, all too happy to point out even the least hint of them.

Overall, it was useful. If he wants allies--a rare desire--he'll have to hide that part, and recognize who the "serious" are and when to don the kid gloves.]

[theyseemeroland]

[Once again, Ted is so blinded by his own arrogance and self-righteousness that he doesn't see what's actually going on and misses the entire point. He can tell himself his hypercriticism and thoughtless cruelty are just "comedy" all he wants, but Roland is pretty sure Schrodinger's Asshole is in effect here.]