ataraxion | 002 >> [text]

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002 >> [text]

As pointed out in a recent transmission, there are some individuals here who resemble one another. There are others whose worlds are similar to others', while others still have worlds that differ radically.

The following is a survey designed to attempt to determine whose worlds are most similar to whose. As a full disclaimer, I am not a trained sociologist/demographist, nor do I claim to be. My credentials extend no further than merely dabbling in disciplines related to those and having studied the science of writing the census briefly when I was younger. Nevertheless, I believe this may be a useful diagnostic tool.

I would encourage everyone who sees this to take a look at others' responses. If you see something familiar, please discuss with the other individual what that similarity is; from there, please try to determine just how similar/different your worlds are.

This is completely optional.

1. Name:
2. Age:
3. Profession:

4. What is the current year?
5. What you call your homeworld:
6. What you call your home country and city:
7. What you call your species:
8. Are there other sentient species in your place of origin? If so, what are they called?:
9. Does extraterrestrial life exist?:
10. Have people from your world landed on other planets?:
11. Have people from your world opened other dimensions?:
12. Are there people in your world who have "super-powers" - i.e., are they capable of feats of which other people would be completely incapable?:
13. Do you have such a "super-power"?:

14. Name some significant works of literature:
15. Name what you consider the most significant/cutting-edge technological invention of the past decade:
16. What activities do you engage in during your free time?:
17. Who is the greatest military/political leader of all time?:
18. What was the most devastating war of all time?:
19. The leader of your country is:
20. Name some of the greatest scientists in your history:
21. Name some of the greatest philosophers in your history:
22. Name some of the greatest statesmen in your history:

Agree or disagree with the following statements.
22. I trust in science above magic. Agree/disagree
23. I trust my government. Agree/disagree
24. Freedom is more important than security. Agree/disagree
25. Being brought aboard the Tranquility is the worst thing to happen to me. Agree/disagree
26. I wish to return home. Agree/disagree
27. I deserve a voice in what goes on aboard this ship. Agree/disagree

Thank you for your time.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

What was that you said earlier, about passive aggressiveness?

...Fine. Do you actually want me to fill it out, or are you just being difficult?

Do I have to pick one?

I would prefer so.

Then yes, I'm curious.

...Fine. A moment.

You got it.

A link.

Ahhhhh. See, that explains a couple things.

Edited 2012-06-25 00:49 (UTC)

...Like what?

Twenty is the magic age when you've already figured out everyone around you is just stumbling around trying to make the best of life when they don't really know what they're doing, but you haven't figured out that you're part of that everyone just yet.

Ms. Sommers, I will strenuously caution you against underestimating me because of my age. Yes, I am twenty, but I am also a full prosecutor working for a major jurisdiction. Perhaps what you have observed is true for others, but it is not true for me.

I never said I underestimated you. You're obviously smart, and I'd guess you're very very good at your job.

What I said, modified to fit past that defensiveness, was that you're smart enough to know you know a lot-- but you're also young enough not to have been slapped in the face with exactly how little that a lot amounts to, up against everything else you haven't seen yet.

Here, because it's relevant and because I feel bad playing the wise adult when I know I'm not all that wise, some context.

Back home, I was getting my Masters in psych. I could rattle off a list of diagnoses and their warning signs and tell you all the best taco places in a thirty mile radius. My grades were awesome, I had a great little place and great friends and I was pretty secure in myself.

Then my sister and her husband died, and they left their kids to me. I knew about taco places and could spend hours telling you why Freudian theory is really really stupid in most areas, but packing lunches and mortgage payments and how to be a parent to two kids who just want the parents they already had? That was a challenge. And I sucked at it, at first.

The point is that for everything you-- generalized you-- know, there are a million and a half things you don't know. And that it's okay, because everyone else is exactly the same and not knowing isn't a crime, just refusing to learn.

Edited 2012-06-25 16:50 (UTC)

[He does pause a moment, frowning, before answering.]

...First, that is a difficult situation, and you are to be commended for taking up such a responsibility. For what it is worth, though, all that matters for me is and will always be legal knowledge. I am never going to have a family, nor care for others; I will not study psychology; all that exists is my job.

If you cede that I am knowledgeable when it comes to the law, then you cannot dismiss me. If I am deficient in that area, then I have no worth. Judge me by that benchmark and that benchmark alone. Do not consider my age.

[ jenna is making 'oh honey' faces on this end, it's probably good this is voice. ]

You've gotten some attitude about your age before, huh?

And just something to think about-- a career won't make you coffee or ask if you need anything, and forever is a pretty long time to deal with being alone.

[His voice in return is quite studiously neutral.]

Most likely it won't be so very long. And I can pay someone to make tea for me and to take care of administrative tasks. Your concern is obviously intended kindly, ma'am, but it's really not necessary.

That's the 'butt out, Jenna' voice. I know that voice well.

So! How about them Yankees?

[He grimaces.]

No. I've no right to tell you that something is none of your business when I myself question freely and without compunction.

I - truly do thank you for your worry. There are not many who would offer that, particularly when the conversation started on a contentious note.

True, but sometimes I forget that not everyone has signed up for me mom'ing them. Force of habit by now.

...Hey, ask anyone. Jenna Sommers, perpetual second chance giver. And for the record? You're hardly even close to the biggest jerk I've ever met. Which might be damning with faint praise, but you know what I mean.

...The spirit of your faint praise is also understood and appreciated, Ms. Sommers. But it is unnecessary. One of the other things I forgo is friendship, so you need not try to put effort into befriending me.

For the record? It's Jenna. And any and all attempts to call me 'Miss Sommers' will end up with you getting a hideous nickname, so you might as well give in.

...Not that I'm objecting to the idea of being your friend, but hon? This is just me being nice, because once you bust past that lawyer face of yours I'm pretty sure you're not so bad.

[ RELENTLESSLY POSITIVE. ]

I - would prefer Ms. Sommers, if you do not mind. I do not call people by their given names.

And please do not be nice, either. It will only be wasted, as I will not under any circumstances be kind back to you.

Then do you prefer Milesy or.... hmm. Edgeworthkins? That one's an annoying classic.

...Huh.

[ edgeworth if that was supposed to make jenna be less interested in figuring out what makes you tick, epic fail. ]

Excuse me. Neither of those are acceptable. There will be no nicknames.

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