Comments on: The Desert V http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/10/the-desert-v.html NIGHTTIME IS FOR DREAMING. DAYLIGHT IS FOR ACTION. Mon, 1 Dec 2008 16:27:03 +0000 By: Ebonmuse http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/10/the-desert-v.html#comment-28106 Ebonmuse Fri, 02 Nov 2007 04:13:51 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/10/the-desert-v.html#comment-28106 <blockquote>This man greatly reminds me of the Tempter.</blockquote> <blockquote>The Tempter is back I see.</blockquote> I'm glad to see some people have good memories. ;)

This man greatly reminds me of the Tempter.

The Tempter is back I see.

I'm glad to see some people have good memories. ;)

]]> By: Alex Weaver http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/10/the-desert-v.html#comment-28105 Alex Weaver Fri, 02 Nov 2007 03:42:55 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/10/the-desert-v.html#comment-28105 <blockquote>Everything the Tempter said was technically true and reasonable.</blockquote> The implicit premises were neither.

Everything the Tempter said was technically true and reasonable.

The implicit premises were neither.

]]> By: Polly http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/10/the-desert-v.html#comment-28098 Polly Thu, 01 Nov 2007 15:24:41 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/10/the-desert-v.html#comment-28098 Um, I meant that it's good that you didn't <i>write yourself as</i> immune to the pernicious... Um, I meant that it's good that you didn't write yourself as immune to the pernicious...

]]> By: Polly http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/10/the-desert-v.html#comment-28097 Polly Thu, 01 Nov 2007 15:23:27 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/10/the-desert-v.html#comment-28097 [replying B4 reading the other comments] The Tempter is back I see. Helping just one person is doing a world of good for that person. Who is so jaded that saving a single life, enlightening a single mind is considered too little? For the one being helped it's the whole world. Yes, good to see that you are not immune to the pernicious effects of teh desert. It has its own trap for you, quite apart from irrationality - "hyperrationality"? Everything the Tempter said was technically true and reasonable. That's what's so dangerous about him/it. [replying B4 reading the other comments]
The Tempter is back I see.

Helping just one person is doing a world of good for that person. Who is so jaded that saving a single life, enlightening a single mind is considered too little? For the one being helped it's the whole world.

Yes, good to see that you are not immune to the pernicious effects of teh desert. It has its own trap for you, quite apart from irrationality - "hyperrationality"? Everything the Tempter said was technically true and reasonable. That's what's so dangerous about him/it.

]]> By: Lynet http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/10/the-desert-v.html#comment-28096 Lynet Thu, 01 Nov 2007 06:31:00 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/10/the-desert-v.html#comment-28096 Having <i>you</i> be affected by the experience is definitely the most satisfying way to end the story. Mind you, your final sentence leaves things a little open, doesn't it? Are you planning to reference the story in a future post, or is it just open because that's the way it works best? <blockquote>"The desert siphons away life, we both know that; if you stay there too long, you'll end up like them. No rational theory of morality would ask you to expend your own well-being in pursuit of this mad goal. You've done enough. You should return to your home and rest. You don't ever have to go back."</blockquote> See, now, I immediately find myself thinking that survival in the desert is a worthy freethinker's skill -- that if I do not know the rudiments of finding my way back, I cannot truly consider myself to be what I would wish to be. The process of reasoning is as important as the conclusion, after all. I've never found your Tempter, in either version, even remotely tempting -- not one flicker of recognition crosses my mind. Which makes me wonder what <i>my</i> Tempter looks like. Off the top of my head I cannot imagine her. Perhaps one day I'll turn around and she'll be there. Having you be affected by the experience is definitely the most satisfying way to end the story. Mind you, your final sentence leaves things a little open, doesn't it? Are you planning to reference the story in a future post, or is it just open because that's the way it works best?

"The desert siphons away life, we both know that; if you stay there too long, you'll end up like them. No rational theory of morality would ask you to expend your own well-being in pursuit of this mad goal. You've done enough. You should return to your home and rest. You don't ever have to go back."

See, now, I immediately find myself thinking that survival in the desert is a worthy freethinker's skill -- that if I do not know the rudiments of finding my way back, I cannot truly consider myself to be what I would wish to be. The process of reasoning is as important as the conclusion, after all. I've never found your Tempter, in either version, even remotely tempting -- not one flicker of recognition crosses my mind. Which makes me wonder what my Tempter looks like. Off the top of my head I cannot imagine her. Perhaps one day I'll turn around and she'll be there.

]]> By: dye http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/10/the-desert-v.html#comment-28094 dye Thu, 01 Nov 2007 01:34:37 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/10/the-desert-v.html#comment-28094 I am wondering if I can get it translated in Chinese and post it in a Chinese ex-christian forum? I am wondering if I can get it translated in Chinese and post it in a Chinese ex-christian forum?

]]> By: Greta Christina http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/10/the-desert-v.html#comment-28093 Greta Christina Wed, 31 Oct 2007 23:19:51 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/10/the-desert-v.html#comment-28093 "What happens out there is none of your concern." You're not a Nick Cave fan by any chance, are you? Beautifully written as always. Thanks! "What happens out there is none of your concern."

You're not a Nick Cave fan by any chance, are you?

Beautifully written as always. Thanks!

]]> By: Petrucio http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/10/the-desert-v.html#comment-28092 Petrucio Wed, 31 Oct 2007 21:53:59 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/10/the-desert-v.html#comment-28092 Maybe that man was yourself, when you think about quitting? I hope you don't. Thanks man. Maybe that man was yourself, when you think about quitting?

I hope you don't.

Thanks man.

]]> By: Dawn Rhapsody http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/10/the-desert-v.html#comment-28090 Dawn Rhapsody Wed, 31 Oct 2007 19:39:29 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/10/the-desert-v.html#comment-28090 A wonderful epilogue to the story. This man greatly reminds me of the Tempter. Perhaps an intertextual twist? :) I look forward to any future stories you may have in mind. A wonderful epilogue to the story. This man greatly reminds me of the Tempter. Perhaps an intertextual twist? :)

I look forward to any future stories you may have in mind.

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