The Price of Progress
Aug. 27th, 2021 02:24 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
libraryofbabelWhat maintains the status quo is the fact that many who are not suffering finds that the present state of affairs suits them just fine. The problem is, therefore, that among we Kindred and among mortals, the selfish will hold the world back.
The question then remains of how one may change hearts and minds. Some would consider offering incentive to those who are not motivated by ideals alone—positive reinforcement, we call that in psychology. But then, should not those who do good for its own sake be rewarded equally or better? There is also the use of negative reinforcement, which is to say, punishment. Many who would act in a criminal fashion would hardly be stopped by harsher laws, though; some might even seek to overthrow the current order, if it became inconvenient enough.
What should we do, then? Particularly with Kindred, who can be set in their ways—but Kindred may still be taught. After all, we have the wonderful Academy of the Ordo Dracul, where many of our finest scholars reside. I firmly believe that anyone can be taught, with enough repetition, and enough varying reinforcement; we simply need to cease to accept refusal to learn. There is no need for the brutality of executions among our kind; rehabilitation is entirely possible.
Certainly, there are those who would not accept the methods, and who would say that Kindred have a right to self-determination, even when they've done terrible things. But for a kinder, brighter world, is there truly any price too steep?
The question then remains of how one may change hearts and minds. Some would consider offering incentive to those who are not motivated by ideals alone—positive reinforcement, we call that in psychology. But then, should not those who do good for its own sake be rewarded equally or better? There is also the use of negative reinforcement, which is to say, punishment. Many who would act in a criminal fashion would hardly be stopped by harsher laws, though; some might even seek to overthrow the current order, if it became inconvenient enough.
What should we do, then? Particularly with Kindred, who can be set in their ways—but Kindred may still be taught. After all, we have the wonderful Academy of the Ordo Dracul, where many of our finest scholars reside. I firmly believe that anyone can be taught, with enough repetition, and enough varying reinforcement; we simply need to cease to accept refusal to learn. There is no need for the brutality of executions among our kind; rehabilitation is entirely possible.
Certainly, there are those who would not accept the methods, and who would say that Kindred have a right to self-determination, even when they've done terrible things. But for a kinder, brighter world, is there truly any price too steep?