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An Interview with a Dragon - Part VIII: Dragons' Fire Breath

VR: Wow, that was amazing. We could all learn so much from dragons, and yet it perplexes me to think that most people are so ignorant and unfortunate to not know of their existence.

AD: Well, there is still time. Humans still have a long way to evolve, and dragons aren't going anywhere.

VR: Yes, I suppose you're right. I know we've been talking for some time now, but I just have one more question.

AD: Yes?

VR: How do dragons breathe fire?

AD: Sorry, that one's a trade secret.

VR: You mean to say that you can't tell me anything?

AD: Well, it's so simple that we're surprised that humans haven't figured out how to do it on their own. But then again, given humanity's current state of moral development, do you really think people should have that ability [present company excluded of course]? I'm sorry, but I cannot divulge such information. The consequences could be much too dangerous.

VR: Could you at least give my fellow dragonologists and me a clue?

AD: OK, just one clue. Fire breathing may have something to do with a dragon's respiratory system, or it may not.

VR: Hmmm…. Wait, that's not a clue - it's something you could say about anything. It's like saying "it is raining or it is not raining." The statement is always true no matter what.

AD: And yet the generality of this statement is what it makes it so powerful.

VR: I think you're just pulling my leg.

AD: Or you could say that I'm just full of hot air. [laughs]

VR: I can see we aren't going to get anywhere with this one.

AD: As I said, it's a trade secret. Look, if I told you about how fire breath really works, this is what would happen: you would probably publish it in the Journal of Dragonology, or otherwise leak it to your colleagues and the public. This isn't necessarily bad on your part, I understand that this is your obligation as a scientist. But somehow, this would get traced back to me, as I'm the one who is known for having close contact with the most [qualified] humans. My fellow draconians would lose confidence in me for the remainder of my years, which for dragons numbers usually in the thousands, and this would amount to a very, very lonely existence for me. Probably, I would end up feeling resentment towards you for having told you, and as a general consequence of my action, the contact between dragons and humans would come to a grinding halt - perhaps for a period as long as a thousand years - or until humanity is mature enough to handle contact with dragons once again, and even then the re-establishment of trust would be very gradual.

VR