I don't think RJ shows a balanced power system
darius_sedai Send a noteboard - 10/06/2010 12:23:03 PM
...RJ said that his world was "Manichaean". I'm not sure if he used the term properly; it's usually misused. Manichaeism said that there are two independent sources, but it always stressed that good was more powerful and would win when it deigned to stop letting evil run rampant in the world. What RJ seems to mean is that they are balanced and equal in power.
However, I still don't understand the whole point of evil. Let's say you're Satan. Let's say you didn't like the way God ran things. Do you really want to destroy all of Creation? Wouldn't you be dissatisfied with the result? Wouldn't you rather just let it keep going and enjoy it the way you do, tempting people to fail, to be petty, to hurt other people, to start wars, to abduct helpless little kids, to make hideous natural disasters, etc., and watch the reaction? It's a petty sort of thrill, but at least I can understand it in the way that I understand (but still get pissed off) when traffic slows down so people can look at the aftermath of an accident.
Shai'tan in RJ's world...well, that just doesn't make sense. Who is he GOING TO TALK TO WHEN HE KILLS EVERYONE? (I'm just imitating his style there)
However, I still don't understand the whole point of evil. Let's say you're Satan. Let's say you didn't like the way God ran things. Do you really want to destroy all of Creation? Wouldn't you be dissatisfied with the result? Wouldn't you rather just let it keep going and enjoy it the way you do, tempting people to fail, to be petty, to hurt other people, to start wars, to abduct helpless little kids, to make hideous natural disasters, etc., and watch the reaction? It's a petty sort of thrill, but at least I can understand it in the way that I understand (but still get pissed off) when traffic slows down so people can look at the aftermath of an accident.
Shai'tan in RJ's world...well, that just doesn't make sense. Who is he GOING TO TALK TO WHEN HE KILLS EVERYONE? (I'm just imitating his style there)
Your point is far more relevant when you eliminate the DO and the Creator from the equation. Good and Evil are much more balanced when looking at Rand and company V. The Forsaken. And that makes your second point more relevant too ... what the hell are they going to do with the world if they win (assuming the DO didn't just destroy everything)? It won't take long for them to have killed off most of humanity and then each other. So Nae'blis will rule a world all by his/herself.
If you put the DO and Creator into the mix, it's rather obvious, IMO, that the Creator is more powerful than the DO, and equally obvious that (s)he's left humans to deal with evil in their own way. The very fact that a human Champion can defeat the DO is evidence that the Creator is vastly more powerful.
Even the characters are aware that the Creator has the ability to stop all this, but won't interfere. Siuan drops this gem early in the series (and I'm sure there are dozens of similar ones throughout)
TSR
Seeds of Shadow
This isn't a story, he isn't some invincible hero, and if his thread is snipped out of the Pattern, the Wheel of Time won't notice his going, and the Creator will produce no miracles to save us
Lanfear also hints that the Creator is actually more powerful than the DO, although I'd say the Creator being able to imprison Shai'tan shows us that.
TSR
Decisions
"Two great sa'angreal were made just before the end, one that you can use, one that I can. Far greater than that sword. Their power is beyond imagining. With those, we could challenge even... the Great Lord himself. Even the Creator!"
As to what the DO gains, aside from being the tip of a "nature of evil" question, Verin gives us a little insight into how alien the DO really is in TGS. She spent some 70 years studying the Shadow and was still baffled by Shai'tan's motives.
TGS
A Visit from Verin Sedai
Not all evil is as . . . obvious as the Chosen. The Forsaken, as you'd call them."
...
"I don't know, honestly. The Chosen are predictable, but the Great Lord is anything but. Even after decades of study, I can't be certain exactly what he wants or why he wants it. I only know that this battle isn't being fought the way that al'Thor assumes it will be."
Personally I think this hints at the fact that the DO has plans that no one knows but the DO. Maybe we'll learn more in ToM.
Domani Drag Queen in the White Tower ... Aran'gar watch out!
The Dark One vs. the Creator
- 09/06/2010 09:54:41 PM
1086 Views
What I never understand in any fantasy series...
- 09/06/2010 10:22:13 PM
717 Views
Here's another stumper for these things, but first
- 10/06/2010 12:08:41 AM
605 Views
Without discussing theodicy (that's a CMB sort of discussion)...
- 10/06/2010 03:53:31 AM
908 Views
I don't think RJ shows a balanced power system
- 10/06/2010 12:23:03 PM
528 Views
It's name is the Creator, maby it's unable to destroy the DO? *NM*
- 15/06/2010 09:02:12 AM
216 Views
I think I get the goal of the one in WoT though. *NM*
- 10/06/2010 12:11:57 AM
225 Views
Please elaborate, then. *pulls up chair and offers to pour alcohol* *NM*
- 10/06/2010 03:55:50 AM
229 Views
It's like Aerosmith said...
- 10/06/2010 01:36:17 AM
519 Views
But Shai'tan is operating as though it's about the goal, not the journey. *NM*
- 10/06/2010 03:55:27 AM
241 Views
I agree that Shaitan must've been behind the "Crying/Crazy/Amazin'" songs *NM*
- 10/06/2010 03:25:26 PM
299 Views
I don't agree with many of these people - I think the bad guys have plausible agendas
- 10/06/2010 08:45:52 AM
503 Views
Personally I think the Wheel is the DOs prison not just an "eyesore"
- 10/06/2010 12:29:13 PM
460 Views
Well...
- 10/06/2010 04:32:45 AM
570 Views
Re: Well...
- 10/06/2010 11:10:55 PM
441 Views
Re: Well...
- 11/06/2010 12:20:28 AM
446 Views
Re: Well...
- 11/06/2010 01:34:33 AM
436 Views