NationStates Jolt Archive

As I played through Half Life 2, I stopped a few times to listen to Dr. Breen's speeches and actually considered what it would be like to join the Combine. I know from the game threads that Half Life is well known around here. So would you give up your humanity to "evolve?" Would you want to join the Combine on a mission for relentless biological perfection, if it possibly would cost you the ability to enjoy music or taste food? Would you give up your individuality for the sake of a mission "greater" than what we humans could hope to accomplish?

I'm not sure about it myself, but when I look at the world (particularly Children of Men which IMO presents an accurate view into what would happen if humans were confronted with the inevitability of extinction), wouldn't the Combine be better, if not a minimal improvement of humans? I've thought of human progress, how with each generation humans can improve life better. But would human progress make enough, if any, difference?

:confused:

I was really hoping this was about the Draconis Combine, in which case I would say "No! Loyal son of House Marik here!"

http://heresabunnywithapancakeonitshead.com/

I wouldn't join so much as I would usurp Doctor Breen's role. I'd get all the perks of being Combine without actually BEING Combine.

And that's the best of both worlds, really.

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m58/mikejr1108/Howaboutanicecup.jpg

I wouldn't join so much as I would usurp Doctor Breen's role. I'd get all the perks of being Combine without actually BEING Combine.

And that's the best of both worlds, really.

Until an MIT graduate finds a crowbar.

Yes, but only if I am a background character that the good guy never meets and kills.

For those saying what. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combine_(Half-Life))

Pick up that can, citizen!

Sorry, I'm too much of a human supremacist* to let some aliens run our world.

Follow Freeman!

*- I count vorts as honorary humans. Anyone who disagrees needs to replay the Vortal Combat scene in Episode Two.

Heck, no. The Combine's propaganda is all lies; their intention is to eliminate humanity entirely and replace the ecosystem with their own, as they've already begun to do by HL2.

Heck, no. The Combine's propaganda is all lies; their intention is to eliminate humanity entirely and replace the ecosystem with their own, as they've already begun to do by HL2.

I guess it's all about whether you consider that good or bad. They don't so much eliminate as assimilate humans into the Combine. How can we know with certainty that the humans are the "good guys?"

I guess it's all about whether you consider that good or bad. They don't so much eliminate as assimilate humans into the Combine. How can we know with certainty that the humans are the "good guys?"

Cause the Humans aren't preventing the Combine from reproducing.

Until an MIT graduate finds a crowbar.

This graduate will only find a crowbar because I wanted him to.

Further, I will follow the Evil Overlord List and encourage the Combine to do so as well. After passing it off as my own genius, of course.

Through these and other plots, I will keep myself valuable. I create threats (unbeknownst to my Combine overlords) and then summarily eliminate them after waiting until such a time where they are truly problematic. Thusly, I will always be useful.

I've got a lot of free time so here goes:

It depends. I'd definitely consider joining Civil Protection, if only for the better living standards...the opportunity to help the resistance would be great, but it would be highly risky. Anything more than that, I'd have to say no since Combine "transhumanism" comes at the expense of my memories and my humanity, and that's not worth it. I would however collaborate as a human administrator as a way of protecting people from the far greater threats of enslavement by the Combine or extermination at the hands of antlions and headcrabs (among other things).

That being said, human collaboration with them is interesting if you look at some of the more subtle things. Life in City 17 might seem pretty grim to us, but to a person in an impoverished nation, it's wonderful in many ways. Free and adequate food supplies for loyal citizens (if quite mediocre), free electricity, free clothing and a secure life as well as the opportunity to rise to literally superhuman level through merit...there are a lot of people who would give anything for that kind of environment, even at the cost of totalitarian oppression.

Just like how Dr. Breen really isn't evil or a villain; had he not surrendered Earth and assumed control as the Combine's human puppet, the entire race might have been exterminated or enslaved outright, or worse forcibly assimilated in to the Combine and the entirety of human culture eradicated in the process.

I was really hoping this was about the Draconis Combine, in which case I would say "No! Loyal son of House Marik here!"

Marik Swine! I will never renounce my loyalty to the Federal Union!

This seems like a good time to bring up Civil Protection (http://www.machinima.com/film/view&id=29146)

That being said, human collaboration with them is interesting if you look at some of the more subtle things. Life in City 17 might seem pretty grim to us, but to a person in an impoverished nation, it's wonderful in many ways. Free and adequate food supplies for loyal citizens (if quite mediocre), free electricity, free clothing and a secure life as well as the opportunity to rise to literally superhuman level through merit...there are a lot of people who would give anything for that kind of environment, even at the cost of totalitarian oppression.

You're missing out some of the negatives. For one, Civil Protection seems to be a cross between the KGB, police and death squads.

Food on the other hand, is somewhat scarce (as an MIT grad can attest to), and foul tasting at that (Citizens of City 17). Water is also drugged.

As I played through Half Life 2, I stopped a few times to listen to Dr. Breen's speeches and actually considered what it would be like to join the Combine. I know from the game threads that Half Life is well known around here. So would you give up your humanity to "evolve?" Would you want to join the Combine on a mission for relentless biological perfection, if it possibly would cost you the ability to enjoy music or taste food? Would you give up your individuality for the sake of a mission "greater" than what we humans could hope to accomplish?

That "quest" leads one of two places. Either "EX-ter-MIN-ate!" or "Upgrading is mandatory."

Marik Swine! I will never renounce my loyalty to the Federal Union!

I'd respond with something equally venomous, but as the current Battletech lore dictates, my beloved House Marik is in shambles after several assassinations, a Davion clone heir, and the collapse of the communications net.

Stupid ingrates...after we spent all that time building arms for the Clan Wars...

Freedom is worth the dangers. I would not accept the guaranteed slavery of the combine with the loss of individuality and the risk of death. I'd be with the resistance all the way. Death for the cause of freedom from a totalitarian regime is better than death because a cop didn't like the way I look.

I'd respond with something equally venomous, but as the current Battletech lore dictates, my beloved House Marik is in shambles after several assassinations, a Davion clone heir, and the collapse of the communications net.

Stupid ingrates...after we spent all that time building arms for the Clan Wars...

Proof that not only does house Davion have the best military, they are also the best at politics!

You're missing out some of the negatives. For one, Civil Protection seems to be a cross between the KGB, police and death squads.

Food on the other hand, is somewhat scarce (as an MIT grad can attest to), and foul tasting at that (Citizens of City 17). Water is also drugged.

True, but both are there and they're safe for consumption (at least from a disease standpoint) for no cost at all. I'd say the Combine probably was able to win over a fair number of supporters from the extremely poor, especially with the promises of even better conditions on the basis of nothing more than "merit".

Safety, security, basic living standards exceeding those available to a good 1/6 or more of the world's population, and all for free...I could see how people might flock to the Combine given their circumstances. Of course, they'd rapidly realize just how bad things really are, but by that point it might be too late for them to do anything about it.

http://heresabunnywithapancakeonitshead.com/

For once, I agree with you.

True, but both are there and they're safe for consumption (at least from a disease standpoint) for no cost at all. I'd say the Combine probably was able to win over a fair number of supporters from the extremely poor, especially with the promises of even better conditions on the basis of nothing more than "merit".


I wouldn't be too sure about that. Life outside of metropolitan areas, where most of the hardcore poor are located, tends to be filled with antlions, radiation, headcrabs and assorted dangers like the Overwatch.


Safety, security, basic living standards exceeding those available to a good 1/6 or more of the world's population, and all for free...I could see how people might flock to the Combine given their circumstances. Of course, they'd rapidly realize just how bad things really are, but by that point it might be too late for them to do anything about it.

Security from what? I never did see CP providing any form of security to anyone other than themselves.

I'd respond with something equally venomous, but as the current Battletech lore dictates, my beloved House Marik is in shambles after several assassinations, a Davion clone heir, and the collapse of the communications net.

Stupid ingrates...after we spent all that time building arms for the Clan Wars...

I've been out of touch with the lore somewhat. What has been happening since the attempted assassination of the Draconis Combine Coordinator?

It has come to my attention that some have lately called me a collaborator, as if such a term were shameful. I ask you, what greater endeavor exists than that of collaboration? In our current unparalleled enterprise, refusal to collaborate is simply a refusal to grow - an insistence on suicide, if you will.

Did the lungfish refuse to breathe air? It did not. It crept forth boldly while its brethren remained in the blackest ocean abyss, with lidless eyes forever staring at the dark, ignorant and doomed despite their eternal vigilance. Would we model ourselves on the trilobite? Are all the accomplishments of humanity fated to be nothing more than a layer of broken plastic shards thinly strewn across a fossil bed, sandwiched between the Burgess shale and an eon's worth of mud?

In order to be true to our nature, and our destiny, we must aspire to greater things. We have outgrown our cradle. It is futile to cry for mother's milk, when our true sustenance awaits us among the stars. And only the universal union that small minds call 'The Combine' can carry us there.

Therefore I say, yes, I am a collaborator. We must all collaborate, willingly, eagerly, if we expect to reap the benefits of unification. And reap we shall.

It has come to my attention that some have lately called me a collaborator, as if such a term were shameful. I ask you, what greater endeavor exists than that of collaboration? In our current unparalleled enterprise, refusal to collaborate is simply a refusal to grow - an insistence on suicide, if you will.

Did the lungfish refuse to breathe air? It did not. It crept forth boldly while its brethren remained in the blackest ocean abyss, with lidless eyes forever staring at the dark, ignorant and doomed despite their eternal vigilance. Would we model ourselves on the trilobite? Are all the accomplishments of humanity fated to be nothing more than a layer of broken plastic shards thinly strewn across a fossil bed, sandwiched between the Burgess shale and an eon's worth of mud?

In order to be true to our nature, and our destiny, we must aspire to greater things. We have outgrown our cradle. It is futile to cry for mother's milk, when our true sustenance awaits us among the stars. And only the universal union that small minds call 'The Combine' can carry us there.

Therefore I say, yes, I am a collaborator. We must all collaborate, willingly, eagerly, if we expect to reap the benefits of unification. And reap we shall.

Don't you have a trans-dimensional teleport chamber to be in? :p

I wouldn't be too sure about that. Life outside of metropolitan areas, where most of the hardcore poor are located, tends to be filled with antlions, radiation, headcrabs and assorted dangers like the Overwatch.

True, but chances are the survivors would be moving to the cities anyways. Plus, if the Overwatch are out there fighting (and they did engage antlions to secure areas and set up thumpers), they'd be "greeted as liberators"...at least until people started being shipped off to Nova Prospekt and other prisons.

Security from what? I never did see CP providing any form of security to anyone other than themselves.

Antlions in particular, since they were easily the biggest menace to human and Combine alike. If you recall, following the collapse of the Citadel the antlions and headcrabs began to infest the city, and at several points the Combine forces are fighting them.

Plus, there apparently was a Combine Civil Code (as evidenced by a sign in the Water Hazard level), so presumably they also performed legitimate law enforcement duties, although it's confirmed by an Overwatch dispatch that pretty much all of the legal process (or what remained of it) has been suspended at the time of Half-Life 2. So, realistically, the CPs did perform some legitimate duties although it's likely they were basically legalized thugs by the time Gordon showed up, especially since there really wasn't anything of value left to steal and the suppression field brought an end to any kind of sex crimes.

Thank God for my ongoing fresh replay of Half-Life 2...

Strogg is where its at

Maybe the CPs. Plenty of perks.

(Including VR "Entertainment" for good service. as one message in the game says)

I wish that Valve had kept their original Episode 1 plot of the Civil Protection halting their attacks and just running for the border.

Of course for all one knows some of the resistance fighters (seeing how their clothes are altered CP uniforms) might be some former CP members going "Well Combine's doomed, better join the winning side and avoid the lynch mobs."

True, but chances are the survivors would be moving to the cities anyways. Plus, if the Overwatch are out there fighting (and they did engage antlions to secure areas and set up thumpers), they'd be "greeted as liberators"...at least until people started being shipped off to Nova Prospekt and other prisons.

That only works if the Overwatch secured the area for the survivors as well. Given that the only time you saw Overwatch and countryside survivors was Overwatch, a freshly depopulated farmhouse and a pyre of bodies, I don't think so.


Antlions in particular, since they were easily the biggest menace to human and Combine alike. If you recall, following the collapse of the Citadel the antlions and headcrabs began to infest the city, and at several points the Combine forces are fighting them.

I suspect it was more to do with providing security for themselves with the human survivors merely drifting close for whatever "protection" they could get.


Plus, there apparently was a Combine Civil Code (as evidenced by a sign in the Water Hazard level), so presumably they also performed legitimate law enforcement duties, although it's confirmed by an Overwatch dispatch that pretty much all of the legal process (or what remained of it) has been suspended at the time of Half-Life 2. So, realistically, the CPs did perform some legitimate duties although it's likely they were basically legalized thugs by the time Gordon showed up, especially since there really wasn't anything of value left to steal and the suppression field brought an end to any kind of sex crimes.

True, but it seems that law enforcement is mostly just oppression. Beating quotas do not sound much like law enforcement.

I was really hoping this was about the Draconis Combine, in which case I would say "No! Loyal son of House Marik here!"

What, no love for the Word of Blake?

At the very least, I'd seriously consider joining the Combine... After all, they have superior technology and the ultimate power and so on, so apparently their social system (whatever that is) is superior to ours... And who wouldn't want to become a physically and mentally upgraded superhuman?

The memory replacement -part is a bit tricky, though... I wonder how much of your mind they usually rewrite? Full replacement would essentially mean my death, so of course that would reduce my willingness to join the Combine quite a bit... Well, I guess I'd just join the Civil Protection for better food and living standards.

If you cant enjoy music or taste food...

Then Id consider it a step backwards....WAAY backwards!...

If you cant enjoy music or taste food...

Then Id consider it a step backwards....WAAY backwards!...My thoughts exactly. I can't see a single upside to joining the combine. Supposedly I might live longer as I'd be genetically superior, but without the things I live for that just make life even worse.