Intergalactic Summit

(Apologies to Bataav, who had suggested that he might want to start a new thread along these lines).

I wanted to continue the conversation begun in this thread but it was starting to move a little far afield.

It was this question that I wished to address --


This question is very important, of course, a core question about core ideals. What strikes me about it is that it needn't be asked only to understand what Intaki independence is about, but also to understand the Intakis themselves, since to build an Intaki independent state apart from their own ideals would seem ludicrous. Beyond this even, a question about one's core ideals is important for us all, since "core" implies the idea that there are ideals that we all share.

So, if we break apart the question this way, then we are asking three questions --

1. What are the core ideals upon which to found an independent Intaki state?
2. What are the core ideals of the Intakis themselves?
3. What are the core ideals (if they exist) of all mankind?

What I draw from this is that the most positive answer (albeit short of details) would be that the Intakis, having explicated for themselves the deepest (highest?), most fundamental ideals of mankind, seek to incorporate these ideals into the formation of an Intaki state.

The above statement is nothing exceptional (it could describe how any number of states see themselves), yet it would be exceptional were an alignment of the three levels to occur in a single state, were a people to A) Touch the core ideals of mankind (if these exist); B) Embrace these ideals as their own; and C) Incorporate these ideals into a structure of law.

The devil, however, is in the details, and here were come to the question of what would make an Intaki state different from any other that attempts to incorporate universal ideals (if that's the wish). Specifically, what would make an independent Intaki different from what the Gallente Federation proposes for itself and its members?

It could establish difference in only two ways, as I see it: A) The Gallente Federation proves to fall short in establishing a connection to greater ideals, and/or B) There is specific worth in the means (Intaki-flavored in this case) of how a connection is established.

I'll let things rest at this point, but I hope that I've conveyed the idea that if an independent Intaki state is merely the Federation in miniature (through replicating its institutions), then, since it would be rejecting the form of itself in a larger sphere, it had better succeed at substance.

But is that what the separatists want, to become a miniature Federation?

If not, then where should they look?

They should look, in short, to their own history, rituals, forms, institutions ((( Here comes meta! ))), and all the other elements that are the culturally conditioned products of a desire to incorporate greater ideals. I can think of no other basis for them to become, independent of the Federation, themselves.

(NOTE: "Ideals" is probably a soft version of the term "principles", which might be the better term.)

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Please, all, feel free to take this conversation wherever it may go per the topic. It's not just about separatism, though "what it means to be Intakis" may have something to do with its possible value.

Thank you for your words. Your thoughts have sent me along some interesting courses and I have taken time to reflect.

It should be clear from what follows that I subscribe to the second option of what might comprise an independent Intaki state, that of "Theocracy", though I find the word problematic. I do, however, believe in the concept of a state centered on the Idamas, which is not the same thing, I might add, as a state in which an Idama can tell people what to do (but that's another story). What I wish to talk about, somewhat as the opposite case, is the Intaki Assembly.

Firstly, It is difficult to wish to criticize the Assembly, because it performs its service well within the bounds that have been given to it. Thankfully, also, the Assembly possesses some of the wisest of the Intakis, including recognized Idamas, but this is not the same thing as saying that the Assembly is itself Idamic. Were it Idamic, then it would answer to its own light of reason only, free from other restraint, for what is it "to dwell" or "to consider" (these being the common definitions of Ida) without the means to act upon one's understanding?

That the Assembly does act with reason and in Ida, for the most part, is a wonderful thing, but it should be understood that it is "conditioned by its commanders" (our Senate representation notwithstanding). It is the Assembly but it is not the true Assembly in that there is always "one more Assembly behind it", one that is representative of and coequal to the idea of Ida, the use of reason and measure to direct one's action, unconstrained by oath, threat, or convention (or external constitution) as to its proper path.

"An Idama bound to other than Ida is a terrible thing."

The result is that Ida prevails (hopefully) but that it prevails in an institution that is not itself an expression of Ida in the political sense (which is what we are considering). Ida is not, as it were, at the top. It may be at the top in the hearts of Assembly members, but it is not at the top in terms of a reflective institution. (One might wish to argue that so long as Ida is functioning in the hearts of its members that any institution is therefore Idamic, but I wish him luck with that. It would be like saying that an artist who has someone else's hand over his brush is therefore the originator of the painting.)

So, the Assembly is to-some-extent false and divorced from its ideals and those of the Intaki people (and I failed to mention in my prior post that the main ideal of the Intakis is known: it is Ida).

To the reasonable Intaki, and especially Idamic, mind, something so "minor" as the falsehood that is built into the Assembly would be enough to encourage the idea of a political separation. It is also true, however, that the reasonable Intaki people have a great propensity to get along.

What happens, though, is that the true Intaki spirit finds its political center of gravity shifting elsewhere, generally to Idamas or other religious or cultural leaders who are not part of the Assembly and from whom connections to it are often tenuous. It is of great credit to the Intaki people, though, that, being centered so much on Ida, they find little cause to exacerbate or exploit these lacks of connection. The Intakis do, after all, find Ida in many things.

(I am left rather with the thought that Ida is both a curse and a boon in terms of revolutionary fervor. Its curse is that its Point-to-Boil is slow; its boon is that a revolution could happen almost silently, and perhaps is).

Anyway, those are some of my thoughts, somewhat colored, I'm sure, by my experiences in the place of my youth, where politics and Ida (or was it just the people in general?) got along rather well.

I have to be off for a few days but look forward to your thoughts on this or related topics. My conceptions of things are evolving even as we speak.

And I would agree to that and say that this is the most difficult thing of all.

Best.

At the start of my reply, above, I made references to some of the events of YC108, andI believe it's worth noting that while in more recent times, Intaki politics has become entrenched in the ongoing conflict between the militias of Federation and State, and the Placid region finds itself the battleground between both sides, YC108 was a year of Intaki politics in the headlines.

The media records from that period provide a wealth of data that can go some way to plotting the long running trends of public opinion regarding Intaki politics. I have therefore provided links to some capsuleer written articles which compliment the news archives of organisations such as Interstellar Correspondents and The Scope very well.

Throughout YC107 and YC108, capsuleer CometQueen from the Amarr Certified News Agency wrote a number of insightful articles looking at the various organisations of New Eden. Her work brought her to the Placid Region and I have provided links to her work below:

• Intaki and the Placid Region
• The Intaki Home World and a Gallente’s Reaction
• 3rd Front, a Quest for Answers and a Bad Pirate

A few months later, her attention returned to the Placid region and she conducted a number of interviews with influential figures in the Intaki Political landscape of the time and another three articles, collectively known as "The Intaki Movement" were published:

• The Intaki Movement, Part 1 - an interview with Phantomas, CEO of Intaki Union.
• The Intaki Movement, Part 2 (The Placid Movement) - an interview with Leth Orion, a officer for Placid Reborn.
[*] The Intaki Movement, Part 3 (Evening with an Idama) - an interview with Vremaja Idama.

With respect to you, Khross-haan, I disagree. It is my belief that the more information that is created or provided, and the more one expounds upon the definitions of what constitutes a group of humans, that the broader the boundary separating that group of humans from others becomes. I do not view this as a positive thing. Perhaps my view is colored by my upbringing; but, I do not think it is beneficial or wise to further delineate and divide humans even more than we already have. There is comfort and strength in unity; I entreat us all to embrace our common heritage, as humans, and nothing more than that. Imagine a world in which there are no countries and no religions; in that world, we as a race of creatures could be truly free and prosperous.

The purpose of this discussion on all things Intaki and the others in the Summit like it, is to empower the reader through a greater understanding for all.

I do however understand your concerns over a focus on what makes one group different from the next. As you rightly suggest, this can lead to an emphasis on division which in turn has the potential to lead to negative consequences. The history of New Eden is full of examples that prove your point repeatedly. I don't agree though, that this needs to be an innevitable outcome. What the reader does with the information is purely a matter of personal choice.

On the one hand we might have someone of Intaki decent, curious of their cultural origins and after learning more about Ida, the personality traits of an archetypical Intaki or the political landscape of Placid they may better understand their place in the Federation and contently continue as they are. Another may, as you suggest, focus on what makes them different from their neighbour and find their life taking a more isolationist path.

As was of course innevitable this discussion has been discovered and read by people with no links to the Intaki at all. Lets though take as an example an individual born and raised in a quiet corner of the Amarr Empire. With their greater understanding of what it is to be Intaki, they may recognise certain characteristics of our nature in themselves. They may identify the aspects of underlying humanity that is within us all, whether Intaki, Amarr or Achura. They may discover some of that precious common ground, which up until now they had accepted as purely Amarr in nature.

Each of these discussions not only help the reader understand what unites us but also acknowledge that there is value in diversity.

I'm expremely pleased that throughout our exploration of what it is to be Intaki so far, the debate has remained non-partisan despite touching on the political history of the region. My hope is that this can continue regardless of the affiliations of the participants as we continue.

With a number of debates ongoing, each focussing on a separate cultural group in New Eden I wonder whether it would be more beneficial to have a discussion on their worth separately to them all. This will allow the valid concerns and support for these threads to be debated as a whole, while allowing the individual conversations to continue between willing participants without losing sight of their respective originally intended topics.

What I find most disappointing upon reading What it means to be Intakis is that it can summarized as a discussion of its relationship with the Federation and what percentage have secessionist tendencies. What happened to music, mysticism, art, and the vibrant culture of the Intaki people that is so highly touted by its traditionalists?

This is your chance to show a vast audience of people across New Eden what really makes the Intaki culture worth preserving. Why squander such an opportunity?

xoxo

Ugh....

It means that everybody you meet thinks you have a Velator up on blocks back in your hometown.

You flatter me, Bataav, my friend.

I, unfortunately am not as convinced that I know anything at all about the Ida. The more I think that I have uncovered some glimmer or truth, the more I am made hauntingly aware of my own ignorance.

I will note however, that while the Idama are very wise individuals, they are imperfect. The accumulation of wisdom and experience formed over a succession of past lives can be an light that illuminates of some of the ways the universe and humanity operate. It is risky to view them as perfect or divine.

I remember the tale of the Idama Tenzin Choudygu who, when showed the personal effects of his previous incarnation immediately began carrying around a cane which, as an old man, he had previously been reliant upon, even though he was now a sprightly boy. When asked why he was now sporting a cane, he merely said that it was 'his'.

Recollections can be imperfect and all wisdom must be considered.

A valid point well made.

It would appear that we have, so far, given much of our attention to the famed Intaki diplomats, while touching briefly on the Reborn through the introduction of Ida and the Idama, though again this has been with regards to the politics of the region. Perhaps this is understandable to a point when we consider the nature of discussion that inspired this one.

What then of the artists for which the Intaki are well known?

There are of course the visual or performing arts which immediately spring to mind, and no doubt there are those keen to explore these aspects of Intaki art, but I would first like to focus on the written or spoken word, In particular the Intaki language.

Many who visit the Intaki system are welcomed with a warm "Namas!" and wished well as they leave with a friendly "Pratya yavati" and now, a year of extensive research by the staff of the Cognitive Sciences Research Initiative in close partnership with a number of other groups, including the ILF, has resulted in the recent publication of the first digital edition of Vaanin k'Intaki, making it possible for others to explore our language and dialects freely.

But this document doesn't just allow people to understand what's being said to them and perhaps reply in kind. It provides a deeper insight into the Intaki.


In my preface I also introduce to the reader to interesting details regarding the nature of the Intaki culture and language at the time of first contact with the Gallente.

It is understood that there was a largely consistent Intaki culture across the entire Homeworld, and though there were some regional differences in dialect as one would expect, there was also essentially a common language being used by the Intaki. This is despite one of the Homeworld's most famous features, that of the wide equatorial band of inhospitability that made contact between those communities in the north from those in the south all but impossible. How then can these consistencies be explained?

When studying the Intaki, anthropologists and linguists have suggested that those Idama, at the core of the Intaki culture at the time, may have gone through the Rebirth process and from time to time found themselves reincarnated on opposing hemispheres, thus ensuring a planetwide consistency, both of culture and language through their teachings of Ida.


Qansh, I recommend you take the opportunity to explore the Vaanin k'Intaki, in particular the passages that speak of the 'transmutable vowel'. You're thoughts on the Intaki "i" which appears throughout New Eden, not only as the common symbol for the Intaki people, but is found in the badges of office for the Intaki Bank and Intaki Commerce corporations of the Syndicate are very close to the Idamic concepts behind the 'transmutable vowel'.

Vannin k'Intaki introduces the reader of the intimate relationship between the Intaki and the universe through their language and it's Idamic roots and it's worth taking some time to take a look.