>0 moendopi @ 2026/07/24 19:33
Let's say you were the last of your kind. It could be a species, race/ethnicity, religion, orientation, a member of some kind of group, doesn't really matter, but it's a part of who you are, an integral part of your identity as an entity/person. Now let's supposed you are the very last, there's no more. Imagine you're long lived as well, if you like; it can be human-scale or extra-human scale, you're choice. Suddenly, or unexpectedly, you meet another of 'your kind'. How would you respond? Would you be excited? Nervous but excited? Would you want to meet them? Would you fear meeting them for fear of living up to their (or what you perceive as their) of idea of what they think you should be? That is, would be fear letting them down? Or the other way around? Would you be fearful they wouldn't live up to your standards? Would you prefer to have remained the last of your kind, never to have to deal with 'your kind' again? I have been listening to A Canticle for Leibowitz and the "old Jew Benjamin" is supposedly the last of his kind (no spoilers please). Sometimes I like being the only veteran around, and keeping it to myself. I don't inherently like other vets just because of the fact that they too are veterans. There are a number of reasons for that, but it's partly in how I have noticed people expect veterans to act or behave. Eh, anyway. What's ya'll's thoughts?