Dire Post-Modernists

As many of you may have guessed, I'm somewhat nerdy. Sure, what person doesn't love reading esoteric philosophy books? But it gets worse. If social standing ran on "cool points," I've already traded mine in for Victorian clothing, role playing game books, and graduate school. Let's be honest. My pockets are empty. My cool points are spent.

You need to comprehend the full extent of my nerdiness if you're going to understand how I felt when I came across Dresden Codak, a web comic. If you've never seen a role playing game, then this will make no sense to you. If you've never read Auguste Comte, this probably won't make much sense either. If you understand any of it... woe to you. You're just as nery as I am. Don't worry, I won't tell anybody.

Yes, the character is an 8th level positivist

Dresden Codak has two comic strips that depict philosophical role playing characters. Her companions are a 6th level Spinozan and a 5th level Epicurean. However, my favorite class is positivist, by far. In case you didn't know, positivists believe that the only authentic knowledge is that which can be seen, felt, touched, or otherwise gotten from our senses. Not surprisingly, scientists and engineers tend to be positivists.

Of course, not all people appreciate the positivist disregard for all other forms of knowledge. Also, positivists tend to have a love of strict logic and complicated machinery. Oh, and they look at their shoes a lot when speaking to others. While I'm not exactly a positivist, I feel a certain kinship with them... especially considering that I'm running in more humanitarian and activist groups nowadays.


Yes, I tend to be a little less playful when it comes to social constructivism and narrative. But, hey, I can mine bacteria for antibiotics, create vaccines, and write in a dense, unreadable fashion. All at the same time. I get the feeling that many gender scholars and social activists don't quite share my type of logic. Many plans and ideals sound great, but many of them sill simply not work.

Doesn't mean we shouldn't try... just don't be surprised when it nothing changes. Many of the people I hang around with don't agree with this viewpoint.


Anyway, I got to thinking what I would be and it came to me. I stayed up all night talking with someone about this before I decided on my character. I'd be a Half-Tao Empirimancer. Yes, I really am that nerdy. I know what philosophical role-playing character I would be.

Oh, and don't ask why I'd be that particular character... believe me.