Talk:Pink Diamond/@comment-24419247-20180107142536/@comment-3225961-20180108043254

Okay, but they don't live by the same maxims we do? The goal is to produce more Gems, and that involves depleting viable planets, irrespective of who might already be there. I completely agree that their way of life is not sustainable and could use reform.  However, Diamond Authority does work, to some degree. I mean, how else would you explain several millennia of compliance by thousands of Gems, many of whom worship the ground the Diamonds strut on? Gems don't have the sense of identity that modern humans have, which in part influences how they perceive themselves and the Gem hierarchy as a whole.

Also, I disagree with "regardless of her reasoning", because I believe in this instance, intent is everything. I could spin a yarn about the circumstances of the Zoo, but suffice to say that the Zoo is hardly an act benevolence or wisdom. There is no evidence of any species other Homo sapiens sapiens in the enclosure. No animals, fungi, probably no microbes, and the plants are synthetic. The first humans did not respond well to captivity, and thus were taken against their will. A "little voice" tells these sentient and sapient beings how to fulfill their basic needs. All of these factors suggest that the Zoo was not a conservation effort, but rather a thing of amusement for PD.  

Intent is important because it is much more likely that if PD had continued her reign, not every human would have made to the Zoo before the planet was gutted. Humans are also not the only inhabitants of Earth, so humans must've been selected because PD was for whatever reason, fascinated by them, but had little tidea that they could think rationally and feel complex emotions, as evidenced by the "little voice". She's only a "savior" to species whom she finds appealing.

The current status quo is a utilitarian dogma: be of use, or be purged. Humans were not of practical use, so YD doesn't really care. As abhorrent of a system this seems to us, it has managed to work for them, so this attitude won't change. Let's not forget the PD suffered through an unprecendented rebellion and was ultimately shattered so she "failed" as a Diamond. The Rebellion, led by RQ, was an effort to halt the colonization of Earth and likely overthrow the status quo. This wouldn't make sense if PD was actually "doing good" for the planet or her Gems.