LV never loved anyone

[Mel]

No: HPFGUIDX 110509

> Jim adds:
>> The fries analogy is too simple.  Devoid of any other stimulus, 
the 
> choice is 95 percent clear.  

I agree.  The analogy shows there's something else to eat WAY across 
the street.  This is highly unlikely and eventually impossible.  A 
child will have seen ice cream, by a certain age.  You don't have to 
tell them they'll like it: they know they will.

Tom Riddle had a horrible childhood and we should feel sorry for 
that.  He has never loved anyone, that is also sad. I believe it is 
possible to have never loved.  These events along with a genetic 
predisposition to mental illness probably created some of what he is 
today.  The question is now, is that an excuse?  At what point does 
someone become dispicable, irregardless?

Tom Riddle never loved, that doesn't mean he's incapable of realizing 
that other people do.  As a matter of fact, he probably used this 
weekness against other people (as Dumbledore states).  He has an 
intellectual idea of what it is and has chosen not to even attempt to 
get to know the feeling more personally. (whether or not he would 
have failed is unknown).  Tom Riddle was also well aware of the laws 
and strictures of his society and then chose to go out and kill his 
own family.  At this point he made a choice to make the 
standard "weak" person (in his mind) turn against him.  He knew that 
would happen and he did it anyway.  I believe that was the choice.  
Had he loved he wouldn't have made it, but it's irrelevent that he 
didn't love.  The decision was still made and the choice still 
matters.  

Mel