The PS and Skies of Arcadia Creators: Their Philosophy

Whew, that's a long one! I'll definitely have to space it out over time.

My desktop wallpaper (:) thanks to SoAworld.com's high res images,) reminded me of this one from SoA : when Aika and Fina are in Nasrad, and choose to become waitresses to earn money to buy a boat, they are positively thrilled by it. Fina even comments something to the effect of "I've never worked for money before, it's actually quite fun!" This is Objectivism's standard of the highest moral purpose in man's life: to achieve his happiness through productive work.

In thinking about PSII and Atlas Shrugged, they are in quite similar settings, of a world gone mad, with people's lives completely controlled. The dystopias involved in each are both condemnations of the perfect socialism; communism. There are quite a few parallels there, but I'd say mostly in regard to setting, because the implementation of the two ideas are done quite differently.

You know, that's one aspect of SoA I never quite understood. The thrilled to be working as waitresses thing, I mean. I can understand it for Fina, because she had lived a very sheltered life and everything was new and interesting to her (she's a lot like Rika...). I was surprised at Aika's attitude with their situation there, though. I expected her to be more restless or displeased with that state of affairs than she was.

Thoul wrote:

You know, that's one aspect of SoA I never quite understood. The thrilled to be working as waitresses thing, I mean. I can understand it for Fina, because she had lived a very sheltered life and everything was new and interesting to her (she's a lot like Rika...). I was surprised at Aika's attitude with their situation there, though. I expected her to be more restless or displeased with that state of affairs than she was.

Yeah, Aika doesn't seem overly concerned with Vyse... it's Fina that takes the matter more seriously. That bothered me the first time I played. I didn't like Aika at all, favoring Fina, but now I think this might be the answer:

Aika believes the world to be such a benevolent place, that she can't believe anything horrible would happen to her friends and loved ones. She has passing concerns, but never seems to take evil seriously. I prefer this sense of life over Fina's now, because it regards evil as impotent, which it is if people understand its' nature. Her attitude about Vyse made me mad initially, but I realize now that it shouldn't have. Aika isn't blindly optimistic, which is detrimental, as it ignores evil entirely, which is just stupid, because if you don't recognize evil at all, that's when it can get you.

In Nasrad it seems that Vyse is a passing fancy in Aika's mind, but she has adopted a purposeful course of action, (getting a job to buy a boat, then goes after the treasure to get an even bigger one to go look for him in.) I'd say that she knows she can't get to Vyse any sooner by worring about it; she's doing all she can, so there's no point in contemplating disaster before she knows all the facts.

You may be happy to hear the my BF surprised me with a copy of Atlas Shrugged this weekend after I expressed interest in it and I shall read it now. Perhaps I may find things too, but I am not too optimistic about it.

I sincerely hope you do give PDS a check, I do not know if there are any elements compared to the novels you hold so dear, but all I can say is that SOA is very much influenced by PDS, it is just that... SOA is a happier place, or rather, I once thought the world of PDS was what PS would be like if mother brain/bio monsters truly took over. I am right/wrong in many ways, but I always think of how similar they are.

Atolm wrote:

You may be happy to hear the my BF surprised me with a copy of Atlas Shrugged this weekend after I expressed interest in it and I shall read it now. Perhaps I may find things too, but I am not too optimistic about it.

Good for you, (and him)! Her writing is unlike any other. I hope you enjoy it. It's got the most interesting plot, if you ask me.

Quote:

I sincerely hope you do give PDS a check, I do not know if there are any elements compared to the novels you hold so dear, but all I can say is that SOA is very much influenced by PDS, it is just that... SOA is a happier place, or rather, I once thought the world of PDS was what PS would be like if mother brain/bio monsters truly took over. I am right/wrong in many ways, but I always think of how similar they are.

When I get back to gaming, I'll look into it. I've been so busy lately that the last time (excluding some testing of my hacks) I played a game was a year ago! I'm intrigued enough by your information on PDS that I'll look into it. I'd like to see just how far the connection goes.