Difference between revisions of "Thus Spake Zaraborgstrom/SubordinateInspirationTechnique"

Latest revision as of 01:18, 6 April 2010

> FourWillowsWeeping > It's a limited form of controlling a person's thoughts. If some thought pops into your head, you are not, generally, going to say, "That's not something I would think. Whatever." You are going to probably stop and try to convince yourself that you're not dumb.

rebeccaborgstrom - 02/05/2004 14:49:54

Fourwillows is correct.

First example: 15 minutes ago, while we were drinking tea, my landlady jumped up, shouted, "Boxing Parrot!" and went off to throw mock-punches at the parrot cage. This is intended as an illustration of how thoroughly and carefully people question their impulses and internal monologue before acting on it.

Second example:

Yueh sat in her office. She looked out her window, thinking.

"So much to do. So many must die. The world's all out of whack. I should tend to that matter in the East, I guess."

She sighed and straightened. Her thoughts continued.

"Tomorrow is Chejop Kejak's birthday. Oh, God, I bet he expects presents from everyone. If I don't give him a really good one, I might get demoted. What does he like? Oh, that's right, he likes My Little Mouth of Peace voodoo dolls. I wonder where I can -- I can get really great ones down by the District of Fainting Gods. I'm sure I remember there being a little shop. Can't remember when I was passing by there, but yah, there was a *shop*. Cool. I'll go get him a voodoo doll. Then I'll ship it to his house in case I don't get invited to the party! I should squawk like a parrot. No, I shouldn't. That'd be silly."

There's a pause.

"I bet it'd be really cool if I squawked like a parrot. I bet I could squawk better than *anyone*. It's silly. Guys really like squawking. I should practice my squawk. What's the harm? I mean, yes, it's kind of embarrassing, but I'm a Sidereal Exalt, I shouldn't let embarrassment stop me. Here I go. I'm going to. I'll show all those people who thought I'd never squawk!"

Alone in her office, Yueh squawked. Then she blushed.

Rebecca\\ Yueh's actual thoughts are in [italics]. No, Kejak couldn't tell what they were.