Intergalactic Summit

Let me start off by saying my words here don't reflect any other person's thoughts but my own. I can assure you we disagree on numerous things more than likely even with the words I'm saying. Is that a bad thing? No not in the least. They have their own path they must follow as I have my own. I fully respect that right just as I would assume they respect my path I must walk.

Your absolutely right, we are no better or worse than those who you surround yourself around. The only difference between us and them is our destinies are written by ourselves, theirs are dictated by some omnipotent deity of times old. Thats their prerogative. Anything I said in those warnings you speak of take as you will. Controlling or imprisoning by telling you to leave your options open is a funny and rather ineffective way of control and I wish the Amarr followed that method. Maybe my message got distorted in translation? Wouldn't surprise me honestly.

Those who hate Amarr don't do it out of hate, though maybe you don't believe it. Unless such things as "Caldari independence was fought for simply because you didn't like the way they talked." We were attacked at a time of weakness and exploited for centuries. Obviously in the end those who truly are responsible are long dead, and personally I agree with that notion. HOWEVER there still are many among their ranks who still wish harm to us, those who still feel that the antiquated notion of slavery being a teaching method or simply that the "holy light" from a tachyon laser works to convert "those unwashed savages." Hate breeds hate, nobodies hands are clean in a mud throwing contest. These thoughts aren't unique to Amarr as a people any more than the Matari people. Though they sure do seem to be thrown about in the scriptures still.

As a side point it should be realized that since our peoples first met animosity has been present. Our peoples have come together for things such as the Sansha incursions, Drifters invasion, Pakashi Peace Conference, ect and what wasn't present and in the forefront? Scriptures.

Frankly you shouldn't learn my lessons. Your not me. You also shouldn't learn Egivand's lessons, or Daphiti's lessons for that matter. Its your own path, start walking it under your own power.

Finally, what unites us? Not a thing..... We all know we have to do whats necessary for ourselves and our clans/kin. We all respect that our paths are not the same or similar even. The desire to see ourselves prosper and those who share our blood. This is much more achievable than having numerous races pointing to the same line of text from a centuries old manuscript and assuring themselves that their specific interpretation is the one true one. The First Elders all were great whether its the Sebiestor one or not.

Thank you for your kind remarks, Ms. Arrendis. But I think you misunderstand a little.

Let's talk for a moment about the Caldari State's approach to poverty.

Caste in the State is determined by career. It ranges from Laborer and Technician up the ranks to the well-off Executive and nigh-dynastic Chief Executive castes. There are various others.

There's one, though, that isn't really a caste or category at all-- "Nonentity." It covers people who've lost their corporate citizenship, lost all means of staying part of Caldari society. They lose their legal protections, become not-people. A lot of them kill themselves rather than live that kind of existence. There are communities of them on most settled Caldari worlds.

It seems cruel. It is cruel.

The Caldari developed on a cold world; Caldari Prime's been described as a ball of mud and ice studded with trees. It's really hard to survive there alone, so, their approach to survival was collective. Those who could contribute, or who could be supported by loved ones, were allowed to stay.

Those who couldn't-- who couldn't aid the survival of the group, and who could no longer be supported, who became a burden on the community and a threat to its survival-- were thrown out into the snow to die.

(Which is the honorable thing to do if you find yourself in that situation, by Caldari standards: die.)

The Nonentities are those who have been thrown out into the snow. They're not part of the community anymore.

Achura (aka Saisio III) is different from Caldari Prime. The Caldari grew up with long, bitter winters and a short growing season; the Achura grew up with earthquakes and violent storms. Build your house of earthwork or stone, and the shaking ground will bring it raining down on you and your family; build your house of light wood and paper or reeds, and the wind will rip it away from above your head.

Caldari Prime will freeze you if you're not ready for it. Achura will break everything you own, whether you're ready for it or not.

Some of the lessons they teach are the same, though. It's hard to stay alive, alone, on either planet-- one serious illness or broken leg is often all it takes. The similarity is close enough that the Caldari recognize us as spiritual kin. We live as communities. Communities work together to survive. We exist for each other, not for ourselves. "I" am transient. "We" are not.

It's not hardship that is shameful, but there is, of course, pressure, great pressure, to contribute. It's being a burden that is shameful. It's demanding help from others, especially when you can recover on your own, that is shameful.

We don't throw people out into the snow, Ms. Arrendis. We've never really had to do that. Those who can't work often carry knowledge and experiences to aid those who can; it's insight, more than material wealth, that we value. Having to depend on others is not something we normally kill ourselves over.

But making others support you, explicitly, by demand, or implicitly, by showing yourself in need-- that is something shameful (but often necessary). Those who are having difficulties, but muddling through them, often can't very well help the last. So we choose not to shame them by making them burdens.

To struggle is not shameful. To be unable to pull your own weight is.

You speak of survival, of fighting to move foreward and recover, as an admirable, sacred thing, Ms. Arrendis. We agree. We are survivor cultures.

Maybe that sometimes makes us cruel.

After some consideration, Ms. Jenneth, I'm going to move this to the 'Caldari sociology' thread, so as not to further derail the party news, and because, well, we're getting into Caldari sociology.

You're really kinda pathological, aincha?

Insult.
How sweet of you.

Although I think your high standards for what constitutes insult might actually get in your way sometimes, Ms. Arrendis.

(Insult is subjective. Comparing my worldview to that of an infamous Sani Sabik mass murderer does not make me want to talk to you very much even if you have a point, whether you consider it insulting or not.)

Again: subjective.

Well ... if you insist on people not listening to you because you're too dedicated to your art to allow for common courtesy....

I guess I won't get in your way.

After what you've done?

Never.

You... bracket-witch.

Now that's cold.