v. edgeworth

Thank you for the message, Anon. As you noted, the Ship of Theseus is a well-known problem which can be viewed from numerous angles, each one having its own reasons, and the topic of identity frequently comes up during discussions. From my perspective, there is an issue that arises when equating a person to an inanimate object: objects are not sentient, and this makes determining their originality easier and harder at the same time

If we were to analyse this problem on the broadest level possible, the ultimate answer to the question of when something (or someone) ceases to be itself and loses the connection with its previous versions would lie in the fact that nothing ever stays the same. I am not identical to the person I was yesterday, the whole world changes as a second goes by. However, this solution lacks nuance and avoids engaging with the matter directly.

When it comes to technology, occasional repair work is not unheard of. Even the cutting-edge machinery breaks. Still, technological innovations are tools and should be treated as such. Their sameness should be defined by their history of fulfilling a certain purpose and not the number of replaced parts. A battery replacement, a new monitor, a few foreign screws -- they prove that a mechanism had existed before the changes were made, thus highlighting that there was an original to be modified in the first place. Similarly, when a device designed to store data is reset, there is no history to be observed, and one might argue that the device is completely different from what it had been before the reset.

On the other hand, people are sentient. People change an infinite number of times during their lives, from physical alterations to changes of character. It happens that one's whole set of beliefs shifts in such a short period of time that it seems they become a completely different person. Yet, it is still the same human being. The continuity of their existence remains intact. As I see it, the focal point of this discussion is the person's brain. When it stops functioning, the person no longer exists.

There are two viewpoints one could pick from here: internal and external. If someone were to die, but their consciousness were to be transported into an identical body before dying -- or, in case of your question, a cyborg clone -- nothing would have changed for the world. The person would still exist and hold the same memories as their predecessor, making them one and the same. Nevertheless, for the subject of this transformation, the original bearer of the personality, the life would have ended; however, this discussion may lead us to another paradox, so I shall stop before it is too late. The Ship of Theseus belongs to Theseus, and ultimately, he should be the one to determine whether the ship is not the same anymore.

Why would I? Of course, I am aware that the core demographic of this website is deeply concerned about inclusivity and building a community where anyone can celebrate their identity, but it is so diverting that ever since I started this blog I have received questions similar to this one.

Well, thank you, Anon. This year I have not gotten many messages concerning this celebration, so it has almost slipped my mind. With all the events that accompany the imminent coming of the last day of the term and things happening in my personal life, I might have completely forgotten about this matter.

I came by to wish you a very happy birthday, and I sincerely hope that today you enjoy yourself in the company of friends, family, both, or even a good book! This day is about celebrating yourself and what you like, after all.

Do you have any plans for today? And if you don't mind me asking, what was spending your birthday with your family like? I'm sorry if my question might come off as a bit too personal, I'm just very curious! Feel free to ignore it if you wish.

Again, I wish you a most wonderful birthday, and I congratulate you for all you have achieved up until now! I hope this new age brings you success and happiness, and anything else you might wish for.

Hope your studies are treating you well!

Best regards,

Gray

Dear Mx Gray,

Such cordial messages are truly flattering. In truth, I am uncertain about the source you might have gotten the information on my birthday from, yet I choose to believe that this process did not involve any dubious deeds.

As I prefer to keep my personal data private, there were only a few birthday wishes directed my way, mostly from my family and old acquaintances, as usual. Apart from them, I got a few unexpected notes from people who, for some reason, managed to recall the date after last year when Victor invited his groupmates to congratulate me. It was uncalled for, but the majority of them did not approach me this year, which is only reasonable because there is no reason to keep in touch with most people that surround me in RMU.

Before I started university, my parents would treat me to a nice dinner in our favourite restaurant on this date; I never made sense of loud celebrations. Besides, it seems to me that most of my peers throw parties in hopes of gaining something: presents, friends, status. These were never problems I had to face.

This time around, the part of my day that was not spent on studying was Victor's to plan. Fortunately, his... methods... have improved significantly since last year, and the celebration remained secluded. He even got me an exceptional copy of Machiavelli's "The Prince," which he tactfully signed. Is it fair that I took an old copy off the shelf in order to replace it with a new one? Victor's is a solid addition to my collection...

Regardless, I must thank you once more.

Best regards,

How have you been? If I'm correct, you're on your exam period, are you not? Well then, best of luck to you ! I'm sure that with your studying habits and responsible attitude, you'll do more than amazing.

Anyway, for my question; what was your favourite subject back when you were in highschool, and which one was your least favourite ? I'm still in highschool myself, and as of now, my favourite subjects are History, Literature and Biology, whilst my least favourite subject is probably Maths. It's not a bad subject, I just find that I'm much more inclined to working with letters than with numbers.

As always, I wish you well in your studies, and I hope you have a wonderful weekend !!

Best regards,

Gray

Dear Mx Gray,

Thank you for wishes of success. Fortunately, the exams have been over for a while, and I took a break to recover from the stressful few weeks I had to endure (not that I found no joy in refining my knowledge and demonstrating my apprehension of the course materials). Overall, my results were pretty much just as expected: consistently splendid. Hopefully, your exam session has been dealt with as well, and your academic excellence was proven once again.

Regarding your query, I reckon that my attitude towards certain subjects was influenced, first and foremost, by the way they were taught. Personally, I am of the belief that any discipline can be interesting with the right approach. Unfortunately, not every teacher is capable of supporting their pupils, and their enthusiasm could be what makes or breaks the classroom's impression of the material. Sure, some people are invested enough in their scholarly interests that they do not mind even the most boring of classes, but I would say they are the exceptions.

As you might have noticed, I am a man of history and literature, just like you; I have always been captivated by subjects that involved discussions and literary analysis. However, I discovered the usefulness of the exact sciences back when I was a child and made sure to exercisethose with rigour and diligence. You see, even though it is quite difficult to apply mathematical knowledge beyond simple addition and multiplication to day-to-day errands unless your occupation demands it, I would lie if I negated the benefits these subjects entail for the brain functions.

On the other hand, some fields of study, despite their significance, were not taught well enough in my school. These poorly executed courses were few but draining. For instance, I could not stand our Music class, simply because the teacher denied almost every discussion of symbolism and history. The reasoning behind it was that they lacked relevance, and my peers would not find them particularly interesting, which is ridiculous. Chemistry and Biology were not great either, so I find myself not being as well-versed in those as I could have been.

Best regards,

Just passing by to wish you and your roommate a nice holiday season, and a very happy new year !! I'm sure that the new year will bring lots of new opportunities to you and the people you cherish, and I sincerely hope that lots of good things come your way !

Hope you're having a nice day, and again, happy holidays :3

Dear Anon,

I am very flattered by your message. Even though I do not know whether you are one of my peers, pursuing education at RMU, or just a kind stranger, spreading words of goodwill around, I can still express my gratitude for such generous wishes and promise to pass your regards to Victor as well.

May the next year be full of wonder and shall all your dreams come true. Look back at how far you've come, but never forget that the journey ahead is yours to choose. Have a bright holiday season, a gleeful year, and a certainty in yourself.

Best regards,

Anyways vincent, how is it going with your rival or rivals?

People tend to overestimate their opponents' strengths while undermining their own. Trying to assess others' achievements without concrete data only serves as a waste of time, thus rendering all guesswork useless.

Just wanted to pop by to wish you and the people you hold dear a wonderful holiday period! You're probably super busy with your studies, but I hope you manage to find the time to relax and enjoy some quiet time with your family, your friends, or even by yourself :)

And by the way, just out of curiosity: what's your favourite book? I'm aware that you like philosophy and history books (if I recall correctly), but I'm quite interested to hear of the book you prefer the most!! Personally, I like classic literature, and at the moment of writing this message I find myself quite captured by 1984 by George Orwell. I believe it's a wonderful piece of literature, and as an aspiring writer, it really inspires me on how to improve my wording and treat several topics.

Also, please forgive me I made a few grammatical mistakes on this message. English isn't my first language, and I'm finding it a bit hard to concentrate right now due to it being a bit late where I live. I hope you understand!

Best regards,

Gray

Dear Mx Gray,

Jolly holidays to you as well! May you have a wonderful and prosperous New Year.

Thank you for the question. I must note that your choice in literature suits your ambitions quite nicely, as "1984" is, undeniably, an excellent example of fiction. The topics Orwell explores in his books have remained necessary for any self-respecting person to explore even a century later, never losing their relevance. Not only did "1984" become a source of warnings and meaningful critiques of society, but it also provided us with words to describe certain issues that have been present all around the world for ages, such as "newspeak" and "thoughtcrime." Even though humanity did not reach utopia, I am certain that Orwell's impact on society must have prevented us from perpetrating at least some of the horrible acts from the vast array of possible deeds.

Personally, it is difficult for me to pinpoint a book that would be my ultimate commitment. Lately, I have occupied my free time (which, I have to admit, has been scarce) with non-fiction books, as they can be more than helpful during some of the lectures I attend. In spite of its lack of storytelling, works that focus more on real-life facts than imaginary worlds can be as impactful as works of fiction.

Take, for instance, "Being and Nothingness," in which Sartre discusses the concept of free will and the ability of each person to craft their own destiny. This book played a fundamental role in the development of my core beliefs and ideals, which ought to be evident from my writing.

Another impactful study of society would be Plato's "Republic," and I believe everyone should have a read of his philosophical works to have a better grasp of politics and concepts of justice, government, and art. A few other books that are definitely worth mentioning are "Death of the Ego," "The Birth of Tragedy," and, of course, Hobbes' "Leviathan."

Now, as per your advice, I shall take some time to rest, and I urge you to do the same, as being overworked does not work in your body's favour.

Best regards,

You might not remember me, it’s been a few months since I sent something your way, but either way I hope you’re doing well—I can only imagine the sleep deprivation you endure when exams are on the horizon.

My question for you is this: what is the nature of your rivalry with Albert Gerald Kruegar? He seems rather friendly, it’s hard to think he did anything to deserve your coldness. I’ve heard many rumors: some say you envy him, while others go so far as to postulate you have romantic interest in him! So I’m curious how you would you describe your own feelings towards him.

(asking for my friend who’s a big fan of Albert)

Dear Ms CelestialPaperHaze,

Thank you for the concerns. I hope that your December has been joyful and brought about some meaningful events, insights, or changes. For me, this exam season was not as trouble-free as I wish it was, but improvement does not find you; you pursue it.

This is not the first instance when I have encountered the question posed in your message, and every time there are more and more hypotheses about the root of Mr Krueger's and my rivalry. Despite my acknowledgement of these ideas' existence, I am still baffled to my very core by the lack of tact in people. This is not directed to you in any way because, as far as I understand, you are but a mere transmitter of these messages, but I would expect you to recognise my frustration at such notions.

Of course, I would never be involved in a feud that had no reasons behind it. In this case, my issues with Mr Krueger started when I realised what kind of person he was. Denying that he is a clever and competent student would be of no use, nor do I see any point in dismissing his charm; yet there are matters that require attention when studying Mr Krueger's character. If I were to highlight the main cause of our vying, I would have chosen our fundamentally different perception of the world.

First of all, it was evident from day one that he was not here to achieve goals and overcome milestones. Sure, he has always been confident in his major and brags about his future opportunities and internships, but he has not got a concrete plan. Whenever I hear him talk, it is never the actual list of objectives or key details. Mr Krueger has dreams, not goals.

Secondly, his upbringing ensured he had a smooth life; he is a Krueger, after all. Never has he ever needed to struggle or put in actual work to get something, as his name speaks for itself. The academic abilities of his are quite impressive, but none of them are an outcome of hard labour: Mr Krueger does not have to study to get good grades, he is simply too smart for RMU. Personally, I would never be able to claim responsibility for a success if the journey to it did not involve exertion. Moreover, he believes in fate, and with his previous life taken into account, it is understandable why he does.

And finally, I cannot fathom how the school authorities can declare a marine biology student the best. Compared to other majors, this one seems less and less useful with every passing year. Currently, the marine life of all the districts neighbouring G4 is on the verge of extinction. In a few years, a diploma in marine biology might make even less sense than today.

In conclusion, I find putting Mr Krueger on a pedestal a little short-sighted and not honest towards other people who, in fact, put the effort into their studies. Advise your friend against following such idols, as there is not much good people like Albert Gerald Krueger can teach you.

Best regards,

Dear Confused Classmate,

Despite my reputation as an excellent student who encourages education and stands for all things learning, I do not stand for such e-mails. The issue at hand lies not in the fact that you took a chance at asking for help from someone you consider more competent, which is completely fine; the real problem is the register and the structure of this letter.

First of all, the absence of an actual sing-off should be addressed. As far as I am concerned, any of my fellow students are capable of feeling confused, so unless I put my time and effort into figuring out who did not bother to attend the last lecture and who could have possibly written such an e-mail, I have no way of knowing who I am talking to, as your e-mail address is not RMU-affiliated and does not resemble a name of any kind.

Secondly, the way this message was put together is quite astonishing. Formal communication is the norm when using online correspondence, and sudden usage of caps lock is not a feature of this style.

As for your request, I do not usually share my notes. The syllabus, as well as all the necessary information and materials, can be found on the online course page. It is up to each student when and how to utilise that information, but please be assured that there is nothing a few hours of additional reading cannot fix.

The second question does not make much sense; however, if I were to answer to the best of my understanding, I would have to say that unless one is proven to be guilty, they are believed to be innocent. So, unless that person left enough evidence for both of these acts to be traced back to them, they are not going to be charged with anything.

In case you have any further questions for me or anyone else, please make sure to contact your person of choice after revising the guide to formal communication in the student section.

Best regards,

hope your studies are going well, and thank you for your time!

Much obliged for the regards; may the academic (or general) excellence come your way.

To preface my answer, I deem it necessary to clarify that my opinion on this matter is simply that: an opinion. The topic of time travel has been relevant for as long as humanity has existed. Never have I met a person who would not have wished to change anything in their past or skip some moments of their life due to stress, boredom, or simple ignorance towards the value of the experience. With this said, it is only logical to assume that to some, the concept of time travel is not just a concept, but a golden dream.

Nowadays, the leading corporations specialise in technologies that were unfathomable a few decades ago. It is the age of possibilities and advancements, so it should not be surprising to one day discover that time travel has been possible for a while, and the sole reason why common men were oblivious to it was due to the effort to keep us safe. The question is not whether time travel is possible; it is what would be done with such power and who should be responsible for it.

As I see it, there is no reason for it to be widely accessible, as it would turn the world into utter chaos. An individual cannot be trusted with this kind of liability. It is the organisations in positions of power who should establish full control over such complex and unpredictable technologies, as they would be capable of using them for the greater good instead of taking care of personal grudges. Moreover, time travel implies a preconceived timeline, a script that we all follow that is destined to happen, and the only way to influence one's fate is through time continuum manipulation. And finally, as a lawyer, I find it almost impossible to have a list of adequate regulations and policies regarding the subject of time travel.

Well, your statement about them changing colour because of their emotions is correct! Although they won't represent sadness or happiness with their colour change, they can use it to intimidate or show surrender to possible threats, as well as a desire to mate with another chameleon. However, this is not the only reason for this ability of theirs!

Chameleons can change their colour to regulate their body temperature, you see! The lighter the colour, the less sunlight it'll absorb. The darker, the opposite, resulting in either warming or cooling themselves depending on the situation. Personally, I find this reason for colour change extremely useful, and of course, interesting.

The colour change itself works in a very special way. Chameleons have two sets of special cells that they can manipulate: Chromatophores and Iridophores. With chromatophores, the chameleon's brain send a message to these cells and moves them, causing them to move their pigment around and make the change happen.

However, chromatophores don't have bright pigments in them, such as yellow or red. This is were the iridophores come in!

Iridophores, which are placed right under the chameleon's skin are made of thousands of nanocrystals which can reflect light and also contain pigment. When the iridophores expand (or contract), they change their structure and move the nanocrystals, which cause the light to reflect in different ways and execute the colour change.

What do you think of this? Personally, I think that chameleons are just one of the many examples of how wondrous nature can be. Thank you for wishing me well in my reptile studies, and I wish you the very same with Law!

To close this, I'll leave you with a picture of a Brookesia nana, also known as nano chameleon, which is considered the smallest reptile in the world, due to their body being only 0.53 inches long.

(fun fact! contrary to most chameleons, the nano chameleon does not change colour.)

Again, I thank you for your time, and best of luck in your studies.

Best regards,

Gray.

Dear Mx Gray,

I once again extol your dedication to the subject of interest. Please be assured that in no way, shape, or form am I disturbed by such informative passages. Moreover, taking time to study areas that I have not previously explored is an essential part of my belief system; no time spent on studying should be considered wasted.

As for the message, the data provided is very impressive. To tell the truth, neither herpetology nor zoology as a whole could be included in my list of strengths, so your studying was not in vain: I appreciate the care put into crafting this short yet clear and concise summary of unique biological features of these reptiles. Nature never fails to impress us with its level of consideration, as every little part of every single species has a purpose, each living thing contributes to the future of its descendants.

In fine, the intricacies of bodily functions of chameleons are more than fascinating, and so is the diversity of the species; I am certain that Brookesia nana is but a single instance of reptilian peculiar beauty.

As always, please accept my gratitude for the kind words and my reciprocal wishes.

Best regards,

Signed, psychic anon.

What a farcical thing to say, Psychic Anon. Of course, I have heard claims that, apparently, no sane human being would study law due to the "hypocriritical nature" of the field, but whenever someone decides to spend their priceless time to remind me or some of my future colleagues how morally wrong their aspirations are, I cannot help but chuckle. It is nothing but nonsense, especially coming from someone who believes in supernatural mind reading and fortune telling.

This is not the most polite way of starting a conversation. The student canteen is situated in the west wing; however, you have already missed lunch as far as I am concerned. Still, there is a coffee station down the hallway near the dining area, and you can get something to drink. Coffee is a great appetite suppressor, after all, and there should be a vending machine if I am not mistaken. A few pieces of gum and a caffeinated drink should last you until the next meal period.

Sorry I didn't give much detail, I must've gotten quite nervous since it was my first time sending and ask. Again, I apologize!

To make things a bit clearer, what do you think of chameleons specifically? I myself have a very big fascination with them; I love researching about their habits and different variations on my spare time. It's hard to pick a favourite, but if I had to, I'd say that the Jackson's Chameleon takes the spot for me, simply because of their horns and the fact that they were the first species of chameleon I started researching.

I've been surprised by the amount of people that consider them "ugly". In my opinion, you can't really judge an animal based on a standard made by humans, since it'll probably be unjust to animals like reptiles, which have been victims to comments regarding their appearance, at least within my circle. Besides, each animal is beautiful on their own way, even if they're considered "ugly" by most.

Sorry for the long message! I hope it doesn't bother you.

I hope your studies are going well, and that you have a very nice week! Also, tell Victor I said hi!

-🦎

Dear Mx Gray,

There is no need to apologise for being invested in a topic of interest to the point of omitting some norms and etiquette; as I mentioned, being curious is an amazing trait that should be praised and encouraged.

Out of all the reptiles, chameleons must have the most consistent symbolism across different cultures: they embody change. The obvious example would be their ability to blend into their surroundings, to adapt, to become whatever the situation calls for. People tend to have diametrically opposite perceptions of this trait, as some are jealous of chameleons' versatility and mastery of fitting in, while others deem these reptiles and those who share the same skills untrustworthy liars.

Of course, this is not the only quality that could be assigned to chameleons. Despite their swift adjustments to the environment, chameleons are quite independent and emotional. As far as I am concerned, their colour can change because of feelings of fear or satisfaction, and some even use their skills to impress their potential partners. Moreover, they are very observant creatures, being able to move their eyes independently and in different directions.

There is no reason to divide animals into categories based on any trait, not to mention coming up with "ugly" and "pretty" groups of animals. My opinion on chameleons could be expressed through the concept of admiration, and I would definitely consider their brilliance inspiring.

Thank you for your message and kind words. I wish you luck in your pursuit of reptile knowledge.

Best regards,

These news took me by surprise, and to tell the truth, I am quite startled. I must have missed the moment when humanity decided that the concept of keeping animals as either pets or livestock was outdated and started making families with fish because this notion sounds bizarre to say the least.