In the game, Dungeons and Dragons, a big deal is made of “alignment”. In one story line, a gov’t formed after the citizens rebelled against a dictator. Initially, it was a “Neutral Good” society – a society where the rule of law and the freedoms enjoyed by ‘chaotics’ were balanced for the good of all. Over time, the society became Lawful Good – where law and structure were enforced for the good of the majority, even if some freedoms were restrained. Then the society became Lawful Neutral, a society where the law/struture was more important than anything else. Then, the society became Lawful evil, where any abuse was permitted as long as order was maintained.Our own gov’t is flirting with these transitions. The Neutral Good society of our Founders has become a Lawful Neutral nation where ends justify means. But as the means become more malevolent, more intrusive, and less transparent, we see our gov’t setting aside the good gov’t can do in order to empower those with wealth and influence and our elected officials deceiving and dividing voters in order to turn them against each other instead of working together to create better communities. While we need tools to battle the enemies that face us on the internet and on battlefields, we need to remember that we are supposed to be the ‘good guys’. What’s the chance that we may, ourselves, become “Lawful Evil”?Roll percentile dice.Respectfully,C.concerned citizen and one time gaming nerd
In the game, Dungeons and Dragons, a big deal is made of “alignment”. In one story line, a gov’t formed after the citizens rebelled against a dictator. Initially, it was a “Neutral Good” society – a society where the rule of law and the freedoms enjoyed by ‘chaotics’ were balanced for the good of all. Over time, the society became Lawful Good – where law and structure were enforced for the good of the majority, even if some freedoms were restrained. Then the society became Lawful Neutral, a society where the law/struture was more important than anything else. Then, the society became Lawful evil, where any abuse was permitted as long as order was maintained.Our own gov’t is flirting with these transitions. The Neutral Good society of our Founders has become a Lawful Neutral nation where ends justify means. But as the means become more malevolent, more intrusive, and less transparent, we see our gov’t setting aside the good gov’t can do in order to empower those with wealth and influence and our elected officials deceiving and dividing voters in order to turn them against each other instead of working together to create better communities. While we need tools to battle the enemies that face us on the internet and on battlefields, we need to remember that we are supposed to be the ‘good guys’. What’s the chance that we may, ourselves, become “Lawful Evil”?Roll percentile dice.Respectfully,C.concerned citizen and one time gaming nerd