Dark Magic (Was: Re: Motivations for Joining DEs)

[a_svirn]

No: HPFGUIDX 141149


> Nora:
> Hence enters in the case of degrees.  I'd first challenge (on 
general 
> grounds, as well as in the Potterverse) the idea that memory is 
*the* 
> component of identity or even identical with identity, <snip>

a_svirn:
Please do! Suppose Harry's memories about his every encounter with 
Voldemort are wiped out, would he be the same person? Suppose his 
memory about being a wizard is wiped out? Would it not rob him of 
his identity? 


Nora:
 But there's another difference as 
> well: Obliviate does something to another person, but it does not 
set 
> up the caster as a continually dominant figure over another 
person.  
> Marietta is Obliviated to forget what she saw in the office, but 
is 
> then let loose: something is done to her, but it's not quite the 
same 
> amount of 'use', it doesn't involve the same kind of domination.
> 
a_svirn:
I can't imagine what can put you in more dominant position than 
messing with other person's mind. Besides, your notion 
of "continuity" it's very arbitrary. Yes Marietta was "let loose" 
after she'd been Obliviated, but she could have been let loose after 
quick Imperius too. Of course Obliviate is more reliable, but does 
not make it any better from the ethics point of view. 

> -Nora thinks these days about how communication has actually 
damaged, 
> instead of reinforced, the idea that the author is dead (not that 
she 
> ever thought the author was dead...)

I thought that idea has been buried by now. Together with its 
author. 
a_svirn