Almost every horrible, appalling thing was committed by a person who thought they were doing good. Intentions matter so very little. If we want to do the most good -- real, pure good -- we can't get caught up in our own reactions.
Why on earth wouldn't it be? [ he asks in exasperation. As far as Harold's concerned, the universality of the human condition has yet to be disproven, even in Etraya. ]
There's no limit on the atrocities people can rationalize themselves into committing.
[Jayce sputters a little bit, like he doesn't believe he's having this conversation.]
If intent barely matters, then it doesn't matter if they think they're doing good! It's a fundamentally evil series of action. Every step along the way needed someone to keep agreeing to do worse things— their justification doesn't matter if the damage they cause outweighs any benefit they made!
[ Harold assumes he wasn't actually blaming Accelerator, or they'd be having a very different conversation about victim blaming. But it still isn't appropriate for an adult to take out their feelings on a teenager. ]
I don't disagree, [ he says in a calmer tone. ] What happens in Academy City is... [ a delicate pause, then, purposefully, ] vile.
I don't know what his reasons are, but I assume he has them. You might start there.
He did. "Leverage." "Surpass God." Everything he said sounded like either a slogan or propaganda. And if he believed differently, then I don't know why he lied to me about how he felt on it and just fed me the same crap everyone else in his world eats up.
[Which is why he feels like he has to convince Accelerator to change his own world.]
[ Harold is starting to get impatient despite himself. He can't believe Accelerator really cares about "surpassing god" but he can easily believe he might try to wind someone up if he felt attacked.
Curtly, ] Because he's fifteen and out to prove something. Do you recall being fifteen?
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[The irony of this conversation, considering John's with Accelerator.]
Do you feel "horrified" and "appalled" at something good, too? Or do you think goodness doesn't exist?
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Almost every horrible, appalling thing was committed by a person who thought they were doing good. Intentions matter so very little. If we want to do the most good -- real, pure good -- we can't get caught up in our own reactions.
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[And mine.]
But that can't be the case for Ace's. There's no "I'm doing good" speech that can come out of child torture.
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There's no limit on the atrocities people can rationalize themselves into committing.
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If intent barely matters, then it doesn't matter if they think they're doing good! It's a fundamentally evil series of action. Every step along the way needed someone to keep agreeing to do worse things— their justification doesn't matter if the damage they cause outweighs any benefit they made!
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Because they are often mutually exclusive.
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[He shouldn't have lost his patience, sure. But his frustration wasn't with Accelerator, not really.]
If he could just see there's other ways to get what he wants...
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I don't disagree, [ he says in a calmer tone. ] What happens in Academy City is... [ a delicate pause, then, purposefully, ] vile.
I don't know what his reasons are, but I assume he has them. You might start there.
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[Which is why he feels like he has to convince Accelerator to change his own world.]
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Curtly, ] Because he's fifteen and out to prove something. Do you recall being fifteen?
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[He sighs, running an unseen hand over his face.]
I'll... try to talk to him again.
Wrapping up?
[ A momentary pause. ]
I do think your heart's in the right place. [ He smiles wryly to himself. ] Just remember he needs your support, not your judgment.
yess
[Unfortunately, Jayce then goes and proceeds to have an even worse conversation after this.]