Chapter One - The Library Dictator [Video]

[knowitowl]

[Now that things seem to have gone back to relative normalcy here in the land of Luceti, Wan Shi Tong decides that it is time to introduce himself to the community. Thus there will be a video feed of a very tall owl as he stands over his journal.]

Greetings citizens of Luceti, I am Wan Shi Tong, he who knows ten thousand things.

Due to my abduction from my own world and library, I have commandeered the one within this village. I will be the sole authority of the collection from this point on, and as such, there are a few new rules.

First of all, anyone who wishes to use the library must first offer new knowledge to add to the collection.

Secondly, none of the material within can be used for malicious intent. There is no exception to this. I do not care how noble your cause may be, whether it is against each other or our captors here.

Finally, I will no longer allow any materials to be removed from the building.

If these rules are not followed, there will be consequences.

Also, in regards to the last rule, all outstanding books and media must be returned for inventory. If you do not comply, I will send my assistants to retrieve them.

That is all.

[And with that the feed will end.]

Comments

[knowitowl]

I am not concerned with your human hierarchy. I am protecting what I love. You of all people should understand this.

[universal_charm]

Protecting what you love and being a complete ass are two different things.

[knowitowl]

Oh really. Because you have never done such a thing yourself, hm?

[Protecting and being an ass that is.]

[ooc: if he's saying too much just let me know. <3]

[universal_charm]

I don't go around telling people crazy things like you can't check things out of a free public library because I'm afraid one of them will "use the knowledge for evil". That's a rather broad generalization - and a bad one at that.

[knowitowl]

Pointing out something you would not do simply because you don't have the reason for it is not convincing. I on the other hand, had given knowledge freely to humanity for centuries. Until I was betrayed when that knowledge was used in aiding the destruction of others. I will not allow this to happen again, no matter the place or the means. Thus far very few of you have given me any reason to change my mind. In fact most are only proving the point behind my decision.

[universal_charm]

And yet by hoarding that knowledge you could keep someone from helping others. Or finding a way to stop the person who's hurting them. Your hoarding knowledge is just as dangerous, and makes you no less responsible.

Not all of humanity is bad.

[knowitowl]

And you would have me judge who is good and who isn't? I am not restricting the knowledge I am simply guarding it. Anyone can still read within the library.

[universal_charm]

So in effect then, you're doing nothing. If anyone can read it, anyone can copy it or memorize it, and the knowledge still gets out. The nonsense about not taking the books out is ridiculous and a bit mental.

Some of the people here like checking them out to read for pleasure, you know. They don't want to sit in a library all day, they want to be comfortable.

[knowitowl]

Not at all. I can manage these books far better than any mortal. Plus I can monitor what is being read by who and if it is abused in the future. In my world I had banned humans from my library, however here I am being more lenient. That will change if my suspicions are found to be correct. I have however been willing to make compromises for reasonable individuals.

So will you be reasonable, Captain?

[universal_charm]

No. I don't tend to be reasonable with tyrants or people who abuse their power. And I am terrible with authority. Just ask anyone.

_{[ He didn't like this, someone saying what he could and couldn't do. There was a difference between following rules like in the Academy and people imposing them and restricting freedoms, free knowledge.}

This owl had no right and it made him bristle to hear anyone tell him and everyone else of ridiculous regulations, like a military state. ]

[knowitowl]

Then you are not to be trusted. We have nothing further to discuss.

[universal_charm]

Odd, I thought the same about you. You know it's the ones that are so sure of their superiority that usually don't reason well, right?

_{[ Marcus had been like that. So sure - and insane, threatening millions with his ideals. ]}

[knowitowl]

I do not care about perceived superiority. I merely wish to protect what I love. You may think what you like.

[universal_charm]

You're not protecting it, whatever you may thing.

[knowitowl]

I will do what I must to prevent abuse. I will tighten my rules if you find them inadequate.

[universal_charm]

Anything you do will be inadequate. People don't like being denied their little freedoms, not-so-wise owl.

[knowitowl]

There is far too much knowledge here than can be misused. I merely offer regulation for a small inconvenience. If you are so against it then you are obviously part of the problem and I am justified. I will not back down unless you can prove that everyone here is trustworthy. That is my final decision.

[universal_charm]

You're never going to prove that. No one can. Because we're people. We're going to have our bad days and our good days. It's the human condition.

You can't judge everyone guilty of something they haven't even done.

[knowitowl]

Exactly.

I have nothing further to say to you unless you are willing to be reasonable. Good day.

[And with that there will be no further response. He tired of these petty arguments.]