The Conculture/Conpeople Opinions Thread

[Micamo]

Ignoring whether democracy exists in your conworld and/or your conpeople's opinions about it, would a typical person of your conculture support Obama or McCain in the US 2008 presidential elections, and why?

Both Obama and McCain would support the removal of clan sovereignty, but forced between the choice they'd probably support Obama. Midhe believe that old people get wrapped up in their old, unchangeable dogmas while younger people are more able to change. They'd probably attempt to get Obama in office thinking because he's younger he'd be easier to convince to see things their way.

Essun on the other hand would support whichever candidate was more successful in business matters (I dunno which one this is. Did Obama or McCain ever have a job outside of the government?). They interpret success in material affairs as a mark of being favored by the gods; Therefore, whoever is the richest is also the one best to lead.

How would your conpeople respond to US law saying that virtually all mind-altering substances (drugs) are illegal?

Psychoactive substances are an essential part of Midhen spiritual practice, and they're not likely to recognize the DEA's authority on such matters. Anyone coming to take their drugs away would be met with quite violent opposition.

Even if nobody tried to enforce it on them, they'd still use it as a way to tell themselves in yet another way "Wow, humans are so stupid."

Essun on the other hand would likely support this measure, as it meshes with their already-existing taboos against recreational substances.

Considering your conpeople to be barbaric, backwards, and lawless, the UN sends in aid workers and troops to "help" by installing a puppet state, opening schools, and enforcing cultural westernization. How do they respond?

[cybrxkhan]

Considering your conpeople to be barbaric, backwards, and lawless, the UN sends in aid workers and troops to "help" by installing a puppet state, opening schools, and enforcing cultural westernization. How do they respond?

Modern Aidis:
The Aidisese would not understand what the heck is going on, because they were for most of their history one of the big civilizations of the world, and, by the modern era, their importance as a regional power at the very least is generally not underestimated. Remnants of the Aidisese government and army, as well as whatever surviving merchants, scholars, and other middle and upper class people would immediately begin an armed resistance; this is not the first time in their history that another "civilized" power has occupied their land, and they will ensure that this will not be the first time that such an occupation is successful. Additionally, the Aidisese would also be baffled because they are very open to the idea of international cooperation, and they wouldn't understand why an organization dedicated to such would need to occupy a developed, prosperous nations as theirs, not to mention "help".

Keintapa:
A large portion of the Keintapan population - including those not brainwashed and 99% of females - would welcome the newcomers. Those who are brainwashed, as well as the upper-middle and upper classes of Keintapa, would immediately attempt to resist, resorting to terrorist methods if necessary.

(Stereotypical) Xemar:
Make a trade deal with the newcomers. More business!


Next:
Let's say a typical young man or woman from your conculture is going to a university/college in America (or some comparable developed country). What would they major in? Why?

[Avjunza]

Next: How would your conpeople respond to US law saying that virtually all mind-altering substances (drugs) are illegal?

Rassoleans would recognise that alcohol falls under this category and think them stupidly hypocritical. Other than that, Rassoleans routinely drink and toke as part of their culture and even religion. It is common belief/knowledge marijuana relaxes the soul and opens the mind, and that the release of inhibitions thanks to alcohol allows people to socialise better with both friends, family and strangers, and as their culture emphasises hospitality both substances are seen as positive.
They would see America's (and most other Nation's) laws restricting their use as making people cold and distant, discouraging social activity.


Ankuati have yet to develop strong alcohol, only using it to either purify water in times of plague or as part of religious ceremonies. Hemp and marijuana on the other hand have been in use since they first became agriculturalists, and cannabis has entirely taken on the role of alcohol in Earth societies.
They would respond in one of two ways: by trying to understand the reasons behind the laws, and/or simply challenge/kill anyone who dared try to make them follow the laws.

Considering your conpeople to be barbaric, backwards, and lawless, the UN sends in aid workers and troops to "help" by installing a puppet state, opening schools, and enforcing cultural westernization. How do they respond?

Rassoleans would happily use/take over whatever infrastructure they introduced, and they'd take the interesting or useful bits of westernisation (so long as they didn't violate Rassolean culture or laws) and incorporate them into their own society, but everything else they'd either ignore or rebel against.

Ankuati would immediately respond with violence; "Who the fuck are these foreignors trying to invade without so much as meeting us on the battlefield? Look, they're even building on our land now!" They probly wouldn't have minded aid workers trying to distribute goods in the bazaar, but once they knew they were allied with the people ruining their cities and trying to enforce laws, they would just kill them and take their stuff.

Let's say a typical young man or woman from your conculture is going to a university/college in America (or some comparable developed country). What would they major in? Why?

(Assuming universities were explained to them first)

A Rassolean would probly major in economics, music or computing; the first two they'd be able to bring back to Rassoly with ease, the last would just fascinate them as they don't have any technology comparable to it.

An Ankuati would major in literature, maths, philosophy or music, in that order. Storytelling is a favourite past time, they are the first civilisation on their continent to study maths and are quite proud of it, and they haven't explored philosophy much yet but they'd be interested all the same. Music ties in with storytelling.

Next: Your conpeople/person sees how dependant people are on (cel)phones.

[Pirka]

Your conpeople/person sees how dependent people are on (cell)phones.

The Kaynur would be impressed by the convenience of the cellphone, but find that roars are pretty effective as it is for basic contact for distances within ~10mi. Any other conversation would have to wait until a face-to-face meeting; it's not very necessary beforehand, or so they would say. The current generation of Kaynur, if faced with a choice between old traditions and new cellphones, would probably value face-to-face conversation more than conversation without seeing the other participant.

They would be distracted by all the little apps on Smart Phones and iPhones, though, if they could manage to use a touch screen or the keys on such a tiny thing. They would probably think that the weather prediction apps are some sort of seer-to-go and would be impressed at the efficiency at which stocks are organized in the respective app (to them, a basic analogy to the concept of stocks would be different reindeer herds that rise and fall in population differently, assuming that nature is the company owner).

Next: How would your conpeople react to total gender equality?

[Thakowsaizmu]

Next: How would your conpeople react to total gender equality?

As far as Orcs are concerned the genders are equal. But they also have their set social functions. A feminine Orc is not a warrior. A masculine Orc does not handle money exchange. So as far as Orcish society is concerned there is gender equality. However, there will never be a male in the Priestess caste, whether masculine or feminine.

Next: What does your conculture think of American pop music, such as Kesha or Lady Gaga?

[Micamo]

Next: How would your conpeople react to total gender equality?

Midhe: "...You let men be scholars and artists? No wonder you humans suck so much."

Essun: "Everyone can do and be everything? Nonsense. The creators made different types of people to fulfill different roles. If they wanted just one type of person to do everything, they would have made us as such."

Television in general.

[cybrxkhan]

Television in general.

Aidis:
We don't understand why the Americans watch so much football and reality TV instead of watching something useful like news, documentaries, or serious romantic movies.


Next:
What piece of literature - be it a book, play, epic poem, etc. - from our world would your conculture identify with and/or like the most? Why?

[eldin raigmore]

Hey, wait! We seem to have skipped

Next: What does your conculture think of American pop music, such as Kesha or Lady Gaga?

Can the next person answer that as well as

Next:
What piece of literature - be it a book, play, epic poem, etc. - from our world would your conculture identify with and/or like the most? Why?

---

Aah, heck. I'll answer Thakowsaizmu's question and not provide a "next", so the next person can answer cybrxkhan's question.

What does your conculture think of American pop music, such as Kesha or Lady Gaga?

Adpihi: Way too explicit, but really really fun to dance to. Except that "gangsta rap" stuff; it seems to be a war chant, but directed against one's compatriots in time of peace! What the f***'s up with that? But thanks for lending it to me; it gets lonely and boring walking and watching out over the town wall. Wouldn't want to go to sleep.

Reptigan: Lyrics seem to be mostly about trivialities, but there are a few deep ones. Music is often quite interestingly creative, but there are some that are just so boring one wonders why anyone bothered to record or broadcast it. Now if you'll excuse me I have to go work on learning this new species's language.

[Micamo]

I don't see why not. I'd do it myself if I felt like I had anything to say on those questions.

(I don't really listen to pop music, and I don't know enough about the musical traditions of my concultures to see how it'd compare. Furthermore my experience with literature is all from a very narrow genre, so I don't have a wide enough pool to answer a question like what work my concultures would most identify with.)

[Ceresz]

If you can't answer the given question then I'd recommend not answering it and just leaving the thread be until a question is asked that you can actually answer. Or you could just answer the latest question that you can actually answer and then ask the next person to answer the question above you instead of asking your own. Just a suggestion to keep this thread going, because it's a rather nice thread.

Mods, if you think this post is unnecessary, please feel free to delete it.

[eldin raigmore]

I'm not a mod. I won't delete any posts. I answered Thakowsaizmu's question.

What does your conculture think of American pop music, such as Kesha or Lady Gaga?

Adpihi: Way too explicit, but really really fun to dance to. Except that "gangsta rap" stuff; it seems to be a war chant, but directed against one's compatriots in time of peace! What the f***'s up with that? But thanks for lending it to me; it gets lonely and boring walking and watching out over the town wall. Wouldn't want to go to sleep.

Reptigan: Lyrics seem to be mostly about trivialities, but there are a few deep ones. Music is often quite interestingly creative, but there are some that are just so boring one wonders why anyone bothered to record or broadcast it. Now if you'll excuse me I have to go work on learning this new species's language.

And I leave cybrxkhan's question for the next person:

What piece of literature - be it a book, play, epic poem, etc. - from our world would your conculture identify with and/or like the most? Why?

[Ceresz]

I'm not a mod. I won't delete any posts. I answered Thakowsaizmu's question.

I know you're not, and I know you did.

And I leave cybrxkhan's question for the next person:

Yeah, I guess it was pointless of me to try being helpful when drunk. Therefore I'm going to ask the mods to delete my posts, and let this thread continue in all its goodness.

I'll come back when I can actually answer some of these delicious questions.

~Yours truly.

[Micamo]

Okay, this thread's too cool to let die, so sorry Cyberx but I'm jacking your question.

The Bugalugamuga would most identify with the Illiad, because it has a giant horsey at the end.

Next question: Okay, this isn't one from our culture, but I figure it'd be an interesting twist: In Midhe culture, a girl's mother is supposed to be present the first few times she has sex so she can watch. The purpose is to give her pointers on how to enjoy it more. What would a typical member of your conculture think about that?

[Avjunza]

Next question: Okay, this isn't one from our culture, but I figure it'd be an interesting twist: In Midhe culture, a girl's mother is supposed to be present the first few times she has sex so she can watch. The purpose is to give her pointers on how to enjoy it more. What would a typical member of your conculture think about that?

Rassoleans would just be shocked at such an invasion of privacy.

Ankuati are pretty open about sex, but they'd think it'd be too awkward to have someone just hovering over you, especially during your first time(s). Besides, they get tips and suggestions shouted at them from everyone during their marriage celebrations anyway.


I think I'll leave that question open for anyone else as well.

[Chagen]

Okay, this isn't one from our culture, but I figure it'd be an interesting twist: In Midhe culture, a girl's mother is supposed to be present the first few times she has sex so she can watch. The purpose is to give her pointers on how to enjoy it more. What would a typical member of your conculture think about that?

Pretty much every Techaria culture would be shocked. They have the standard "Sex is a private thing" idea.

The Anjuu would be confused, and the Daemon wouldn't really care (except for the Fooccubi tribe--they would be very interested...)

Next:Does your conculture have any being similar to the Succubus and Incubus of the Christian mythos? What do they think of them?

[Bristel]

Does your conculture have any being similar to the Succubus and Incubus of the Christian mythos? What do they think of them?

The Squalipsh believe in succubi/incubi that are not evil or strong as in Christian mythology. The Squalipsh version of incubi are believed to be a woman's fears of her husband's iniquities, and are signals for a woman to begin helping her husband return to a more moral life. Some tribes believe instead that they are a "pressure release valve" of sorts when a woman becomes too regularly aroused, and are seen as a mostly positive thing. In no tribe are they considered "evil", or "demonic".

The Athanic don't believe in spirits of that kind, but wouldn't be shocked at the Squalipsh interpretation of those kinds of spirits.

The Gailegs, a Celtic culture, probably have a similar belief as the common celts, and will most certainly be Christianized in the future of their history.

What would the people of your conculture think of the Sino-American (or Sino-British, etc) political and economic relationship?

[cybrxkhan]

What would the people of your conculture think of the Sino-American (or Sino-British, etc) political and economic relationship?

The Aidisese would see it as a blatant two-way struggle, regardless of whether they see it as an explicit and direct confrontation or a subtler one. They'll see both America and China trying to outdo each other in economic, political, and cultural spheres of influence, and they'll draw parallels to Aidis' own Cold/Hot Wars with various other superpowers, such as the original Aidis-Cedarin conflict, or that between Aidis-Besera-Ciafis, or Aidis-Yeros, the second Aidis-Cedarin conflict, etc.


Next:
What is your conculture's stance on foreign intervention, particularly as it pertains to recent history of our world (i.e. Libya, Afghanistan, Iraq, etc.)?

[Avjunza]

Next:
What is your conculture's stance on foreign intervention, particularly as it pertains to recent history of our world (i.e. Libya, Afghanistan, Iraq, etc.)?

Mainland Rassoleans would see tyrants and cruelty in those countries, and believe it necessary to remove such evils from those countries. Island Rassoleans would be similar, but they'd be a bit more conflicted about what action to take, as interfering in how foreign countries work is seen as arrogant; all nations have the right to rule themselves however they wish.

If Ankuati have a problem with how foreignors run their countries, there's only two solutions: go and tell them that you and your people don't like how they do things; this is can be effective for the Ankuati, as everyone knows what they'll do if you ignore this warning - invade, kill anyone who resists them, put up signs all over the place saying that you should do things this way, and then leave, usually after some plundering. If that didn't work, they'll probly try again in a few years.
They won't always interfere with foreignors, though. Usually only with the ones close enough to have an effect on them.

Next:
What would your conculture think of conlanging?

[Micamo]

What is your conculture's stance on foreign intervention, particularly as it pertains to recent history of our world (i.e. Libya, Afghanistan, Iraq, etc.)?

Midhe: "Well that's weird. They're going on slave raids but not bringing back any slaves! Huh."

What would your conculture think of conlanging?

Essun: "If you have time to babble nonsense, you have time to work more!"

What do they think about keeping animals as pets?

[eldin raigmore]

What would your conculture think of conlanging?

Adpihi: A great way to pass the time when you're snowed in, or it's too wet to plow, or there's nothing left to do but wait for the crops to ripen.

Reptigan: A useful way to prepare for the next batch of alien languages we're going to have to learn.

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Next:
What would your conpeoples think of "pink-collar jobs" and "the glass ceiling"?