# Would you be willing to become the herald of the Devourer of Worlds? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 26, 2013, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-be-willing-to-become-the-herald-of-the-devourer-of-worlds/667230 "2013-08-26T18:39:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Atomic\_Alex](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atomic_alex/32/175_2.png) [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2013, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-be-willing-to-become-the-herald-of-the-devourer-of-worlds/667230/42 "2013-08-27T14:45:07Z")
> [@yellowjacketcoder](#): > > No, I don’t see it as evil. If you become a cop, you may have to shoot someone to save a life. Not evil. If you become a doctor, in the process of triage, you will condemn some number of people to death in order to save others. Not evil. If you become part of an NGO, you may have to decide where to send limited food supplies to a disaster area, condemning people that don’t get those supplies to death. Not evil. > > Allowing Sutcalag to run rampant? Evil. Containing her by directing her to the less populated worlds? Not evil. Leaving morality aside you’re asking the average Joe/Jane that is chosen by Sutcalag to carry a mighty burden, I wouldn’t blame someone if they felt they weren’t up to it. ---
**Author:** ![yellowjacketcoder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/4bbf92/32.png) [@yellowjacketcoder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowjacketcoder)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2013, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-be-willing-to-become-the-herald-of-the-devourer-of-worlds/667230/43 "2013-08-27T14:58:37Z")
> [@Disposable Hero](#): > > Leaving morality aside you’re asking the average Joe/Jane that is chosen by Sutcalag to carry a mighty burden, I wouldn’t blame someone if they felt they weren’t up to it. We ask average Joes to carry mighty burdens all the time. The first example that comes to mind is the draft (pick your war) - asking some average Joe to put his life on the line for his country, not to mention make the other poor bastard die for his country, is quite the burden, but as a society we made that choice without blinking for over a century. Asking someone with a surprise pregnancy to be a dad is a hell of a burden, but we excoriate deadbeat dads. Would a lot of Joes feel they aren’t up to the task? Sure, but that doesn’t mean they get off scot free for letting humanity be destroyed, while letting Sutcalag consume whatever world she comes across instead of directing her away from the populous ones. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2013, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-be-willing-to-become-the-herald-of-the-devourer-of-worlds/667230/44 "2013-08-27T17:21:22Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > I’m a little disconcerted that several people apparently don’t see the moral quandary here. \*"Spend the next thousand years assisting in the genocide of trillions of people? \* Technically, Sutcalag doesn’t need “assistance”. He’s going to eat worlds whether or not I act as his Herald. So, I get to act in the most basic of animal instinct, preservation of the species. I get to save my homeworld, and attempt to direct this unstoppable force of nature towards worlds where he will (hopefully) do less damage than if I declined the offer. ---
**Author:** ![Atomic\_Alex](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atomic_alex/32/175_2.png) [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2013, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-be-willing-to-become-the-herald-of-the-devourer-of-worlds/667230/45 "2013-08-27T17:38:03Z")
> [@yellowjacketcoder](#): > > We ask average Joes to carry mighty burdens all the time. The first example that comes to mind is the draft (pick your war) - asking some average Joe to put his life on the line for his country, not to mention make the other poor bastard die for his country, is quite the burden, but as a society we made that choice without blinking for over a century. Asking someone with a surprise pregnancy to be a dad is a hell of a burden, but we excoriate deadbeat dads. > > Would a lot of Joes feel they aren’t up to the task? Sure, but that doesn’t mean they get off scot free for letting humanity be destroyed, while letting Sutcalag consume whatever world she comes across instead of directing her away from the populous ones. You have a different understanding of human weakness than I do. And we’re not talking about sending someone off to fight a war against other humans where they’ll be potentially directly responsible for a few hundred deaths, we’re talking _trillions_ of sentient lives, which is of such an order of magnitude difference we can’t really even concieve of it. ---
**Author:** ![yellowjacketcoder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/4bbf92/32.png) [@yellowjacketcoder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowjacketcoder)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2013, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-be-willing-to-become-the-herald-of-the-devourer-of-worlds/667230/46 "2013-08-27T17:42:26Z")
> [@Disposable Hero](#): > > You have a different understanding of human weakness than I do. Apparently. I’ve enjoyed the discussion anyway, I hope you have as well. > [@Disposable Hero](#): > > And we’re not talking about sending someone off to fight a war against other humans where they’ll be potentially directly responsible for a few hundred deaths, we’re talking _trillions_ of sentient lives, which is of such an order of magnitude difference we can’t really even concieve of it. To me, it’s merely a matter of degree. In fact, killing other people in a war, up close and personal, would be more psychologically damaging than “hmm, this planet has fewer people than planet X-57a, it gets dumped to the front of the list. Time to check out the next planet”. I’m not saying the herald can’t feel guilt, I’m saying that it’s a necessary price of doing the most morally good thing possible. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2013, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-be-willing-to-become-the-herald-of-the-devourer-of-worlds/667230/47 "2013-08-27T18:20:33Z")
> [@Gagundathar](#): > > . . . As to the OP, I can’t really see much of a downside. > I would, however, require an FTL transceiver and a wide data pipe. An FTL transceiver and a wide data pipe. Is that what you kids are calling it these days? Yes, communications would make or break the deal. > [@Disposable Hero](#): > > . . . And I agree with Little Nemo that its somewhat disturbing how many people in this thread are all over it with no moral qualms or even any hesitation at all, as I said I hope they’re just having fun with the scenario or someones moral compass is a bit faulty and I don’t think its mine. Or they’re cutting to the chase in a hypothetical. If it were actually happening, not only would folks need to be dealing with their own emotional reactions, but possibly with other people’s reactions (unless you are supposed to be completely alone when given the option and will never talk to anyone you know ever again) and with doubts about how accurate the offer is. I mean, does that sound like reliable information to you? I’ve never been offered the opportunity to fly and live for a thousand years and I assume that as soon as it started to sound reasonable, I’d be pinching myself and worrying about my sanity. > [@Gagundathar](#): > > Yes, aircooled engine is the only way to go Interstellar. > Sorry, **Oakminster** , it was just a rather amusing mental image. . . . That is a great image. I think I’d go with the floating island, like Terrax, but with palm trees, a little stream, and a hammock. Maybe a few parrots, too. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2013, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-be-willing-to-become-the-herald-of-the-devourer-of-worlds/667230/48 "2013-08-27T18:47:38Z")
As an interesting sidenote to the hypothetical, what do we think the earth’s reaction towards said Herald would be? Would s/he be a hero for saving the earth or a pariah for being the agent of so much death? I imagine a pretty strong mythology would build up around him after a few hundred years, especially if he keeps in touch. ---
**Author:** ![Atomic\_Alex](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atomic_alex/32/175_2.png) [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2013, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-be-willing-to-become-the-herald-of-the-devourer-of-worlds/667230/49 "2013-08-27T22:27:44Z")
> [@yellowjacketcoder](#): > > Apparently. I’ve enjoyed the discussion anyway, I hope you have as well. Sure, its definitely interesting! > [@yellowjacketcoder](#): > > To me, it’s merely a matter of degree. In fact, killing other people in a war, up close and personal, would be more psychologically damaging than “hmm, this planet has fewer people than planet X-57a, it gets dumped to the front of the list. Time to check out the next planet”. > > I’m not saying the herald can’t feel guilt, I’m saying that it’s a necessary price of doing the most morally good thing possible. The former is part of human experience though and most people can live with it, as unpleasant as it is _(though some people positively enjoy it and not necessarily psychologically damaged individuals)_ the latter is way beyond anything anyone has ever had to consider, for any normal and decent individual the realisation of what they’re actually doing would be an utterly shattering experience and I don’t think anyone who isn’t utterly callous and unfeeling could do it for long. They may be able to step back and like bomber-crews and modern push-button warfare psychologically distance themselves but if they make the linkage and personalisation between their actions and the deaths they are facilitating…well it wouldn’t be pretty. It may be the right thing to do, be morally justifiable, but it would still be utterly horrifying for the person actually asked to do it. > [@Yllaria](#): > > Or they’re cutting to the chase in a hypothetical. If it were actually happening, not only would folks need to be dealing with their own emotional reactions, but possibly with other people’s reactions (unless you are supposed to be completely alone when given the option and will never talk to anyone you know ever again) and with doubts about how accurate the offer is. > > I mean, does that sound like reliable information to you? I’ve never been offered the opportunity to fly and live for a thousand years and I assume that as soon as it started to sound reasonable, I’d be pinching myself and worrying about my sanity. I always take it as read in these sorts of far-out scenarios that the situation is exactly as described and you have enough information to accept it as true, otherwise the conversation would rapidly disappear down a sidetrack. > [@Johnny\_Bravo](#): > > As an interesting sidenote to the hypothetical, what do we think the earth’s reaction towards said Herald would be? Would s/he be a hero for saving the earth or a pariah for being the agent of so much death? I imagine a pretty strong mythology would build up around him after a few hundred years, especially if he keeps in touch. That _is_ an interesting question, it depends a lot I suppose on how much if at all s/he remains in contact with Earth and humanity. And for those who said they don’t really care about the deaths of those on other worlds because they don’t know them, what about when you start to lose touch with humanity as all those you know and care about begin to age and die. In a thousand years Earth may be as strange, different and alien to you as any alien world. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2013, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-be-willing-to-become-the-herald-of-the-devourer-of-worlds/667230/50 "2013-08-27T23:49:19Z")
Seriously, I think it’s morally acceptable to save my planet in this scenario. … Also I get to meet ['the Fantastic Four](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0486576/?ref_=tt_rec_tt), especially Invisible Woman (swoon) ---
**Author:** ![epbrown01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ba0ec/32.png) [@epbrown01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epbrown01)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2013, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-be-willing-to-become-the-herald-of-the-devourer-of-worlds/667230/51 "2013-08-28T00:33:10Z")
> [@Disposable Hero](#): > > You have a different understanding of human weakness than I do. And we’re not talking about sending someone off to fight a war against other humans where they’ll be potentially directly responsible for a few hundred deaths, we’re talking _trillions_ of sentient lives, which is of such an order of magnitude difference we can’t really even concieve of it. The guys flying stealth bombers armed with nukes are potentially tasked with being directly responsible for killing millions (depending on their target), so the quandary exists to a pretty large magnitude already, right here on Earth, and people deal with it. In this case, there’s less of a quandary - trillions will die, regardless; your role will be to mitigate the death, starting with preventing your own. Like others, I’d have more worries about being forced to travel the stars via Golden Fixie or Platinum Segway or something. A thousand years of _that_ would bug me. Can’t Sutcalag just give me a ring with a little S on it that let’s me do what I want? ---
**Author:** ![MegaBee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f0a364/32.png) [@MegaBee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MegaBee)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2013, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-be-willing-to-become-the-herald-of-the-devourer-of-worlds/667230/52 "2013-08-28T14:58:35Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Heroes don’t assist genocidal monsters in their genocide. Says so in the hero manual. > > On review, though, the “dilemma” would be more arch if I hadn’t tilted the numbers so far on the inhabited/uninhabted planet scale, not to mention the win-loss record of heralds-versus-vengeful ETs. My bad. Hero to Earth is good enough, and I get to steer her away from populated worlds. ---
**Author:** ![AtomicDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ac91a4/32.png) [@AtomicDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AtomicDog)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2013, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-be-willing-to-become-the-herald-of-the-devourer-of-worlds/667230/53 "2013-08-28T19:04:29Z")
I’d recall Captain Sisko’s monolouge from the DS9 episode, “In The Pale Moonlight.” Then I’d take the job. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2013, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-be-willing-to-become-the-herald-of-the-devourer-of-worlds/667230/54 "2013-08-28T19:13:37Z")
> [@AtomicDog](#): > > I’d recall Captain Sisko’s monolouge from the DS9 episode, “In The Pale Moonlight.” > > Then I’d take the job. Which monologue do you refer to? There’s several, though I assume you mean[this one.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-YyL7X4CWw) ---
**Author:** ![AtomicDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ac91a4/32.png) [@AtomicDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AtomicDog)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2013, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-be-willing-to-become-the-herald-of-the-devourer-of-worlds/667230/55 "2013-08-28T21:16:31Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Which monologue do you refer to? There’s several, though I assume you mean[this one.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-YyL7X4CWw) That’s the one. Sisko had the same choice: commit crimes to ensure the survival of the human race. I’d hate myself, but I would still do my duty to humanity. ---
**Author:** ![Atomic\_Alex](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atomic_alex/32/175_2.png) [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2013, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-be-willing-to-become-the-herald-of-the-devourer-of-worlds/667230/56 "2013-08-28T22:30:56Z")
> [@epbrown01](#): > > The guys flying stealth bombers armed with nukes are potentially tasked with being directly responsible for killing millions (depending on their target), so the quandary exists to a pretty large magnitude already, right here on Earth, and people deal with it. That’s a good point actually, and I’ve never been able to understand the mentality of people able and willing to push ‘The Button’ either. I’m not a pacifist and under the correct circumstances I’m perfectly willing to use violence to defend myself or others but when it comes to vapourising cities or planets…count me out. edited to add: it’d need to be pretty exceptional circumstances to consider it, I already said upthread I’d become the herald but with a heavy heart and only to redirect Sutcalag away from certain worlds and to find a means to at least attempt to stop her. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-be-willing-to-become-the-herald-of-the-devourer-of-worlds/667230.md?page=2)