If you were Trill, would you apply for symbiosis?

[Danoz]

Yes or no poll. Would you want to be joined? Remember in Trill society you will be "matched" to a symbiont and there is no choice in the matter. I was thinking about this after reading the "lives of Dax" (just started Curzon's story) and I think I would absolutely want to take on a symbiont. Not just because of the obvious benefits in social standing, but to suddenly have the life experience of other distinguished and well-lived people merged with my mind would be too compelling a source of knowledge, focus and perspective to pass up. Since it is a joining it's not so much "dying" as it is a combination of minds.

So, would you want to be joined?

 

[RJDiogenes]

Absolutely not. I'm too much of an individualist to want to be merged or diluted by another personality.

I'm tempted to beam this to the DS9 Forum, but I think you want this conversation will be more about identity and individuality than the show, so I'll leave it here.

 

[K'riq Sa]

i said yes, as long as i get to be the daddy.



bring on the naked orion womens.......





k'riq the uninreachable

 

[Danoz]

Absolutely not. I'm too much of an individualist to want to be merged or diluted by another personality.

I'm tempted to beam this to the DS9 Forum, but I think you want this conversation will be more about identity and individuality than the show, so I'll leave it here.

Right, I'm searching for more introspective an answer than an answer in the context of DS9.

 

[Kommander]

I'm pretty sure they have a screening process designed to keep people like me from becoming hosts.

 

[An Officer]

I'm not too sure about the having a giant slug in my belly... but the merging of lives and thoughts thing is really cool. Not too different from being married really.

 

[Rÿcher]

I've already got too many voices telling me to do shit. Don't need another one.

shut up you! I'll poke you with a q-tip!

 

[Mallory]

If I was a Trill, I suppose I would.

 

[28VulcansLater]

I would as once your joined you get to live on after you die. I wouldn't want to be its first host though. You don't get any new memories or experiences, just a slug in your belly.

 

[Zulu Romeo]

If I was bird food...?
[Don't be stupid, Ravescene, no one's laughing at you anymore - ZR host #347]
[I disagree, your japes make me laugh - ZR host #592]
[I think you've made your point already, Zion, now it's time to move on to the next poster - ZR host #101]
Now wait a second, let me finish!
Well, personally I think one life is enough to live without having some other punk-ass lives transplanted inside and interfering with things. It's my mind, and I want to live it my own way.
[Too late, sucker! - ZR host #616]

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

It seems like a Trilling experience, but I doubt I'd be up for it. I'm not that ambitious. I am perfectly content to remain as I am.

 

[Rÿcher]

It seems like a Trilling experience...

HA!

 

[DeafPoet]

Remember in Trill society you will be "matched" to a symbiont and there is no choice in the matter.

Where's this from? I seem to recall that there was at least some choice in the matter for a qualified initiate, but I could be making stuff up too. Also, I haven't read The Lives of Dax in about three years so if it's in there that might explain why I don't recall.

The reason I ask is that I'd want a cool symbiont like Dax if I were joined. You know, the party-animal, pilot, diplomat, physicist, gymnast, leader, murdering kind.

I wouldn't want a symbont who's been a shut-in for 400 years.

 

[Danoz]

I would as once your joined you get to live on after you die. I wouldn't want to be its first host though. You don't get any new memories or experiences, just a slug in your belly.

Well after Lela becomes joined (Dax's first host) she gains an uncharacteristic sense of focus and desire to leave the planet and travel the stars. She may not have the memories of a previous host, but she was still joined to another sentient being.

 

[Nobody]

Absolutely not. I'm too much of an individualist to want to be merged or diluted by another personality.

I'm tempted to beam this to the DS9 Forum, but I think you want this conversation will be more about identity and individuality than the show, so I'll leave it here.

The intriguing thing about the joining is that each host personality is still retained and they still can maintain their individualism while sharing their body and minds with the symbionts. I don't think it dilutes your individualism, but enhances it. The host realizes their own uniqueness in their personality and also what they share in common from the most unlikely of people: gymnasts, diplomats and murderers.

In the episode where Jadzia was going through the ceremony where the rest of the crew took on the memories of the other hosts illustrates this pretty well. They were all different -- Curzon didn't want to go back "in." A decision brought about because his stubborn nature. When the Dax symbiote was stolen from Jadzia by Verad -- the symbiote felt an urge to continue Verad's morally bankrupt plan, despite the strong feelings of friendship towards the Sisko and the rest of the DS9 crew. The strands of individualism persists through all the hosts. Also, you also get to see situations from another viewpoint, and maybe realize things you never thought of. Spurring you to find new interests (Jadzia's interest in all thing Klingons, if I remember, was partly due to Curzon's involvement) and bring new perspectives.

I don't think your individualism would be diluted, but the joining would bring you a breadth of experiences you could draw on. You aren't dominated by the past hosts decisions, but you'll pick up things as well. Also, I believe a requirement (or, it was implied) is that the potential host has an established identity and strong sense of self. I'd apply to be joined. The whole concept is intriguing: the idea of viewing life from a different angle, different experiences, with the ability to make your own decisions.

edit: Just to add, we gave my dog the middle name "Dax", so if I got the dax symbiont, I could finally figure out what the hell dogs think about.


-nobody

 

[QCzar]

Nobody, you wouldn't by chance be a member of the Symbiosis Committee, would you?

 

[Nobody]

Dude, keep it down. You all aren't due to make first contact for another 55 years.

I also believe that your individuality or your identity isn't lost once you join a larger group, but you can gain and enhance yourself from those around you and not succumb to a hive mind (i.e., the Borg).



-nobody

 

[AstroSmurf]

I would love to be joined. Actually, for a human, I think I know myself pretty well and can hold my own as an individual. But sharing yourself and your experiences with another being in such an intimate way is an absolutely fascinating concept to me. I would jump at the chance to do it.

I just hope the poor slug has a better grasp at what it wants to eat than I do. I can never make up my mind on what to have for dinner. So in my case the symbiont would almost certainly be required to be forceful about its eating choices or we both might both starve.

 

[Jono]

I would. It would be an interesting experience.

 

[Hermiod]

/insert joke about wanting to be joined with Jadzia.