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update from sparkleup

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Madison Scott-Clary 2021-09-24 13:56:29 -07:00
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misc/index.md
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* [Ephah, Amah, and Mina](ephah-amah-mina)
* [Qamar Zeki](harleigh)
* [Sarai Azoulay](sarai-azoulay)
* [Slow Hours](slow-hours)
* [Belek Oorzhak](belek-oorzhak)
* [Skatch Lowspine](skatch-lowspine)

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# Where It Watches The *Slow Hours* Progress of the Ode clade
Where It Watches The Slow Hours Progress of the Ode clade (or, to avoid the mouthful of a name, just Slow Hours) is a skunk, plain and simple. She stands at about five feet high and has the requisite black fur and aposematic white stripes: a single one starting just beyond her nosepad that runs the length of her snout up to her head, where it ends in a shock of white headfur, longer than the surrounding fur and brushed into something of a swoop to keep it out of her eyes. From the nape of her neck, it splits into two stripes that head down her back to her flanks, leaving her arms, pawpads, and those digger claws all black and the backs of her thighs ghosted with wispy white feathers of fur.
That fur that covers her body is long and soft, settling somewhere between thick and silky. Thick enough, it seems, that she has chosen a loose-fitting blouse and slacks - white and gray, respectively - to keep from tamping it down too much. Her tail bears the longest fur of all, sticking nearly straight out, bristle-like yet still as soft as can be.
As befitting her mephit status, her face is more of an elongated triangle than something bound by a snout and pronounced supraorbital ridge, fronted by a soft, black nosepad and a whole passel of whiskers. Black eyes shine amidst black features, and cookie-shaped ears struggle to poke out from the fur atop her head. There is a slight roundness to the cheeks, the chest, the hips, the belly - enough to suggest an affection for the finer foods in life.
Her countenance and stance land somewhere just shy of confident, professional without being stiff, and with a sharp wit that only just manages to veer around snarky or rude. Kind, but not too friendly; formal, but not too stiff; preferring sly grins to open smiles and folded paws to dramatic gestures. Taken together, it says "best ask before touching".

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@ -49,27 +49,27 @@ Nearing the 200th anniversary of System secession from humanity, the System and
* [X] Epigraph
* [X] *Esau said, "I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?" / Jacob said, "Swear to me first." / So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob.*
* [o] Part I - Departure
* [o] [Launch: sys-side: Ioan](launch/sys/Ioan/001) - A death-day celebration - 3543
* [O] Part I - Departure
* [O] [Launch: sys-side: Ioan](launch/sys/Ioan/001) - A death-day celebration - 3543
* [-] MERGED ABOVE <!--[Launch: sys-side: Ioan](launch/sys/Ioan/002) - Expanding scope - 1351 -->
* [o] [Launch: phys-side: Douglas](launch/phys/Douglas/001) - Douglas feels a feel while working on the launch - 3836
* [O] [Launch: phys-side: Douglas](launch/phys/Douglas/001) - Douglas feels a feel while working on the launch - 3836
* [-] MERGED ABOVE <!-- [Launch: phys-side: Douglas](launch/phys/Douglas/002) - Douglas and May write to each other about the launch - 2722 -->
* [o] [Secession: sys-side: Michelle](secession/sys/Michelle/001) - Michelle dies among her clade, passing on tasks to first lines (True Name gets launch) - 1131
* [O] [Secession: sys-side: Michelle](secession/sys/Michelle/001) - Michelle dies among her clade, passing on tasks to first lines (True Name gets launch) - 1131
* [-] <!--[Launch: phys-side: de](launch/phys/de/001) - -->REJECTED: de no longer a POV character<!-- - Disappointed that launch went through regardless, walks the station in a daze, thinking backwards from current thought - 887~~~-->
* [o] [Secession: phys-side: Yared](secession/phys/Yared/001) - Yared uploads, the final before secession - 3080
* [o] [Launch: launch-side: Codrin#Castor](launch/launch/Codrin-castor/001) - The triad tell each other fictional stories around the remnants of the fire of why they left no forks - 2599
* [o] [Secession: sys-side: Michelle](secession/sys/Michelle/002) - Michelle meets with Council of Eight, discusses spending a bunch of reputation to fork; meets up with Jonas and pledges True Name - 2293
* [o] [Secession: phys-side: Yared](secession/phys/Yared/002) - Yared gives a 'speech' on individual rights, then drawn aside by Yosef, out for coffee, tells of secession proposal - 2608
* [O] [Secession: phys-side: Yared](secession/phys/Yared/001) - Yared uploads, the final before secession - 3080
* [O] [Launch: launch-side: Codrin#Castor](launch/launch/Codrin-castor/001) - The triad tell each other fictional stories around the remnants of the fire of why they left no forks - 2599
* [O] [Secession: sys-side: Michelle](secession/sys/Michelle/002) - Michelle meets with Council of Eight, discusses spending a bunch of reputation to fork; meets up with Jonas and pledges True Name - 2293
* [O] [Secession: phys-side: Yared](secession/phys/Yared/002) - Yared gives a 'speech' on individual rights, then drawn aside by Yosef, out for coffee, tells of secession proposal - 2608
* [o] [Launch: phys-side: Douglas](launch/phys/Douglas/003) - Douglas answers May's questions - 3489
* [o] Part II - Progression
* [o] [Launch: sys-side: Ioan](launch/sys/Ioan/003) - Ioan(s) and May start to parcel out work, but get off topic onto feelings. - 2644
* [o] [Secession: phys-side: Yared](secession/phys/Yared/003) - first change from Yosef, talking with True Name and Jonas - 2791
* [O] [Secession: phys-side: Yared](secession/phys/Yared/003) - first change from Yosef, talking with True Name and Jonas - 2791
* [o] [Secession: sys-side: True Name](secession/sys/True-Name/001) - brings news of the bill to Council of Eight, discuss speciation - 1833
* [o] [Launch: launch-side: Codrin#Pollux](launch/launch/Codrin-pollux/001) - Codrin#Pollux interviews Dear about why it actually uploaded - 1767
* [o] [Launch: launch-side: Codrin#Castor](launch/launch/Codrin-castor/002) - Codrin#Castor writes eir thoughts on why Dear may have uploaded (showing divergences). - 3488
* [o] [Launch: phys-side: Douglas](launch/phys/Douglas/004) - May had responded immediately, ofc, but asked about life on earth (hinting she uploaded ~time of Michelle), reminisces about childhood - 4738
* [o] [Launch: sys-side: Ioan](launch/sys/Ioan/004) - Ioan interviews May about why she stayed behind, date of upload, thoughts on not telling Douglas re: herself as Michelle - 2725
* [o] [Secession: phys-side: Yared](secession/phys/Yared/004) - another change from Yosef, Yared starts to actually kind of believe that this is a good idea, considers L5 option - 2196
* [O] [Secession: phys-side: Yared](secession/phys/Yared/004) - another change from Yosef, Yared starts to actually kind of believe that this is a good idea, considers L5 option - 2196
* [o] [Launch: launch-side: Codrin#Pollux](launch/launch/Codrin-pollux/002) - Makes up with Dear, who gives suggestions on some names to interview and how to go about them - 1373
* [o] [Secession: sys-side: True Name](secession/sys/True-Name/002) - Meets with Jonas to discuss latest post from Yared, picking up on secession undertones, Jonas admits to own clade standing in for him (explain that reputation doesn't exactly go down, but is spread among instances (changed later)). - 2587
* [o] [Launch: phys-side: Douglas](launch/phys/Douglas/005) - Douglas walks the station, processing news of Michelle's death, then talks with May - 3969
@ -78,13 +78,13 @@ Nearing the 200th anniversary of System secession from humanity, the System and
* [o] [Launch: sys-side: Ioan](launch/sys/Ioan/005) - Musician who set up transmission of music between sys/phys, gets #Castor's note, discusses with May - 1740 - Expand?
* [o] Part III - Acceleration (Conspiracies start to pick up)
* [o] [Launch: launch-side: Codrin#Pollux](launch/launch/Codrin-pollux/003) - interviews Zeke/Ezekiel, who has gone a bit sideways, now a prophet, having a hard time reconciling two launches/diverging futures, points Codrin towards True Name as something sinister - 2212 - Expand?
* [o] [Secession: phys-side; Yared](secession/phys/Yared/005) - discusses secession with True Name/Jonas despite the fact that he isn't supposed to, gets help drafting the post with suggested changes from Demma - 2852
* [O] [Secession: phys-side; Yared](secession/phys/Yared/005) - discusses secession with True Name/Jonas despite the fact that he isn't supposed to, gets help drafting the post with suggested changes from Demma - 2852
* [o] [Launch: launch-side: Codrin#Castor](launch/launch/Codrin-castor/004) - Distracted, interviews depressed astronomer who knows this is as close as he'll ever get, but studies all the same through text, learn more about Dreamer Module (phys-side idea that got past resistance sys-side, implied Jonas/True Name) - 3680
* [o] [Launch: phys-side: Douglas](launch/phys/Douglas/006) - Talks with May about launch-era political machinations from phys-side - 2140
* [o] [Secession: sys-side: True Name](secession/sys/True-Name/003) - Starts to think of phys/sys dichotomy in political terms, forks on the sly (only Jonas knows), so that forks can handle both, leaving her as figurehead who appears to know all - 2765
* [o] [Launch: launch-side: Codrin#Pollux](launch/launch/Codrin-pollux/004) - talks with Dear about secession and the mood before and after in general, but also w/in clade, Dear hints that Praiseworthy started shaping the history even before secession and the art of propaganda - 2265
* [o] [Launch: sys-side: Ioan](launch/sys/Ioan/006) - Ioan and May share growing concerns from LV messages - 2034 (probably needs work)
* [o] [Secession: phys-side: Yared](secession/phys/Yared/006) - Demma is a bit grumpy that Yared talked to sys-side, but mostly pleased that they seem to be on board with it; presses Yared for more information, hints at distates for System; told to ignore latest update, team will get him a new one. - 2939
* [O] [Secession: phys-side: Yared](secession/phys/Yared/006) - Demma is a bit grumpy that Yared talked to sys-side, but mostly pleased that they seem to be on board with it; presses Yared for more information, hints at distates for System; told to ignore latest update, team will get him a new one. - 2939
* [o] [Secession: sys-side: True Name](secession/sys/True-Name/004) - Meets with Praiseworthy (skunk female, studious and charismatic) to discuss propaganda angle, thus getting more on sys-side to support political acts. He suggests softening her features to be more approachable, cute, meek, etc. - 2128
* [o] [Launch: launch-side: Codrin#Pollux](launch/launch/Codrin-pollux/005) - interviews *Why Ask Questions* Here At The End Of All Things (Michelle, casual type), who was tasked by True Name and Jonas to meddle with sys-side politics and increase support for secession - 2819
* [o] [Launch: sys-side: Ioan](launch/sys/Ioan/007) - Ioan, distracted, interviews a series of poor families (as ey was) re: what they miss, what excited them, first thing they did, what was disappointing, biggest regret - 3376
@ -92,19 +92,19 @@ Nearing the 200th anniversary of System secession from humanity, the System and
* [o] [Launch: sys-side: Ioan](launch/sys/Ioan/008) - Ioan interviews historian keenly interested in staying close enough to earth to keep cataloging, has picked up on some of the patterns; also wants to be close to Ioan, weaseled her way into the interview - 2150
* [o] [Launch: launch-side: Codrin#Castor](launch/launch/Codrin-castor/005) - Interviews True Name, who was tasked by Michelle as political side of launch, first time sys and phys have worked together in meaningful way in ages, tickled to see Douglas Hadje, nudges him through *channels* to apply for launch director (look at that manipulation go) - 2839
* [o] [Launch: phys-side: Douglas](launch/phys/Douglas/007) - Learns more about the clade, but still not about names, mentions some concerning stuff re: patterns phys/planet-side - 1855
* [o] [Secession: phys-side: Yared](secession/phys/Yared/007) - Introduces secession amendment himself, it goes over poorly initially, contacts Demma who reassures him that it will swing in secession's favor after some unsavory strings are pulled, told to keep pressing sys-side on secession - 2640
* [O] [Secession: phys-side: Yared](secession/phys/Yared/007) - Introduces secession amendment himself, it goes over poorly initially, contacts Demma who reassures him that it will swing in secession's favor after some unsavory strings are pulled, told to keep pressing sys-side on secession - 2640
* [o] [Launch: sys-side: Ioan](launch/sys/Ioan/009) - Ioan, already worried, interviews Do I Know God After The *End Waking* (skunk male, druid type) at eir home, who was tasked by True Name and Jonas to meddle with phys-side finance late 2100s to increase sys-side population by paying for uploads (as Ioan was), liberal now, regrets his actions; points em to Jonas still on system; conversation with both End Waking and May about what she meant about system being more subtle viz dandelions (even after all this time, it's still a dream, May's been dreaming with em, not uncommon for emotionally entangled people) - 3217
* [o] [Launch: launch-side: Codrin#Pollux](launch/launch/Codrin-pollux/006) - Has Yared, Debarre, and user11824 over, who talk about how the council was undermined, then overridden by Jonas/Odists after secession, Yared talks about Toledot Yeshu, Demma as Paul (left unsaid whether or not Demma was influenced by anyone sys-side, implied no; phys-side still had its own politics, then) - 2856
* [o] [Secession: sys-side: True Name](secession/sys/True-Name/006) - Meets with Debarre, who says he understands better now, thanks her for all her work; after he leaves, meets up with *Life Breeds Life,* But Death Must Now Be Chosen (human male, scholar type) to help keep up appearances during secession work that the clade isn't growing, minimize actions in history so that the clade doesn't appear to have done anything, that Michelle was on the Council and the clade just helped. - 2317
* [o] [Launch: launch-side: Codrin#Castor](launch/launch/Codrin-castor/006) - Interviews No Jonas, hints at how big an influence he and Odists (not just TN!) had on both phys/sys side after secession, anything to keep System growing - 2471
* [o] [Secession: sys-side: True Name](secession/sys/True-Name/007) - walks sims, thinking about what the System will look like after secession (doesn't share Yared's pessimism), how to keep it running, remembers conversation about birth laws in S-R Bloc, forks End Waking to investigate that, revealing that at some point, Jonas showed her how to manipulate reputation markets to make sure she could always fork. - 1378 Expand?
* [o] [Launch: phys-side: Douglas](launch/phys/Douglas/008) - Sabotage attempts, hinting that there are those phys-side who have also picked up patterns and really don't like System - 2802
* [o] [Secession: phys-side: Yared](secession/phys/Yared/008) - Sure enough, support rapidly swings sys-side, long conversation with TN/Jonas about what it means, starting to see how having his name on the amendment is diving people not just on the subject, but on him, starting to think about death, showing fear that he had at beginning - 2839
* [O] [Secession: phys-side: Yared](secession/phys/Yared/008) - Sure enough, support rapidly swings sys-side, long conversation with TN/Jonas about what it means, starting to see how having his name on the amendment is diving people not just on the subject, but on him, starting to think about death, showing fear that he had at beginning - 2839
* [o] [Launch: sys-side: Ioan](launch/sys/Ioan/010) - Ioan, getting really pissed at how Odists won't just answer eir fucking questions all the way and keep demurring at the last minute, interviews Jonas Prime, who has grown pessimistic, life wants to spread and multiply to make itself stronger, this is the root of the launch: offsite backups; thus why dreamer module was frowned upon: has broadcast w/ information about system, earth, interfacing, etc - 3375
* [o] [Launch: launch-side: Codrin#Pollux](launch/launch/Codrin-pollux/007) - Interviews Ne Jonas, humanity best viewed as a resource to be used or a crop to be tended by System - 2752
* [o] [Launch: launch-side: Codrin#Castor](launch/launch/Codrin-castor/007) - Interviews True Name for second time w/ more info, confronts for truth about the Odists' role in post-secession, confirms, laughs down concerns. - 1717
* [o] Part IV - Arrival (all stories reach present, all discuss irreversibility)
* [o] [Secession: phys-side: Yared](secession/phys/Yared/010) - Vote passes with both secession and L5 amendments intact, those who know him are torn on whether he's a hero or villain; zero compensation/recognition from Demma, who derides the system, why don't you marry it if you love it so much. (secession = irreversibility) - 2192
* [O] [Secession: phys-side: Yared](secession/phys/Yared/010) - Vote passes with both secession and L5 amendments intact, those who know him are torn on whether he's a hero or villain; zero compensation/recognition from Demma, who derides the system, why don't you marry it if you love it so much. (secession = irreversibility) - 2192
* [o] [Launch: launch-side: Codrin#Castor](launch/launch/Codrin-castor/008) - Interviews True Name for the last time, learning that True Name/her stanza and Jonas orchestrated the launch from the before the supposed beginning over long years of influence (incl nudging Douglas as soon as he got first job as ansible tech and Michelle nudging her toward the idea of divesting), have been in contact across sys/launch to ensure divergence remains at acceptable levels (irreversible), comes home to Dear, sighs, gets hugs, comfort that the ends aren't bad, even if the means are. - 2183
* [o] [Secession: sys-side: True Name](secession/sys/True-Name/008) - Council meets, celebrates; after, meets with Jonas to discuss ways to ensure stability going forward (growth = irreversibility) - 1466 Expand?
* [o] [Launch: sys-side: Ioan](launch/sys/Ioan/011) - Ioan interviews True Name and Jonas together, finds out they're still everywhere, steering system, difference between conservatives/liberals is scale of manipulation, liberals think too small (see quote below) - 1975
@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ Nearing the 200th anniversary of System secession from humanity, the System and
* [ ] Release should take the form of an ARG similar to the original Qoheleth.
* [X] The creators of the system tried to come up with better communication than just text, and could when just one was in the system via dream-reading scans, but when multiple dreamers interacted, it quickly lost focus. Can communicate at any time via text through perisystem or view one individual's dream if they fork into a reserved spot in the perisystem(though that instance can't merge back, just as waiting room instances can't merge), so it's only really good for presentations
* [X] Difference between conservatives and liberals is that the conservatives play with need on a very grand scale, liberals on a very small/individual scale. Ioan struggles with May after learning a lot of this about the Clade, because even if she's earnestly in love with em, it's like learning your inlaws are illuminati. Ey comes acround because a) she explains need for control as trauma response, and b) tells myth in progress, about how the gods created the world in an attempt to shape it to their will, but instead became impersonal forces in the face of absolute independence
* [X] Quote: *She stood from her chair and walked up to where ey remained stubbornly seated. "If you do not wish to be unhappy with the answers to difficult questions, Ioan," she said, tousling eir hair. "Then you do not need to ask them."* / *She smiled down to em, and in that smaile was kindness, and in that kindness was a hatred ey could not fathom, and then she quit.*
* [X] Quote: *She stood from her chair and walked up to where ey remained stubbornly seated. "If you do not wish to be unhappy with the answers to difficult questions, Ioan," she said, tousling eir hair. "Then you do not need to ask them."* / *She smiled down to em, and in that smile was kindness, and in that kindness was a hatred ey could not fathom, and then she quit.*
* [X] Dear says in Qoheleth that it uploaded in the 2130s after the L5 station had been set up, have to address this incongruence (either shift dates, or give it a reason to lie; probably the latter, to downplay stuff to one it does not yet trust)
* [X] True Name and Jonas begin wielding more and more power within the council despite the promise that forks will not influence balance of power, leads to Debarre and user11824 leaving council
* [ ] Normalize "LVs", capitalizing Secession, launch arms vs struts (struts at base, arms at tips), Council of Eight only exists in Secession (now viewed as i.e: founding fathers), Ioan/Codrin's pronouns
@ -131,6 +131,7 @@ Nearing the 200th anniversary of System secession from humanity, the System and
* [ ] Add timestamps to extramural conversations?
* [ ] Need more "there is no going and there is no back" throughout beginning
* [ ] Dreamer Module signal contains layers - primes, then binary encoding those primes, then words for the numbers, language, music, etc, down to the details about emulating a human, going from wideband to narrowband so that the more you home in on the LV, the more layers you get
* [ ] Mr -> Mr.
## Cover Ideas

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@ -2,39 +2,39 @@
There was a rhythm to research, Ioan had found. The ideas and information did not always flow smoothly, of course. Ey would go days without breaking through the current blockage, or perhaps ey would rush forward in leaps and bounds, the periods of sleep and waking growing longer and longer until ey was out of sync from the world around em.
But despite these crests and troughs, there was a rhythm. Ey would find a pace at which the project would bloom, fits or starts, and would slowly be able to predict the ways in which it would move.
But despite these crests and troughs, there was a rhythm. Ey would find a pace at which the project would bloom, fits and starts or a smooth progression, and would slowly be able to predict the ways in which it would move.
There had been work before the launch, but the way in which it shifted Dear's Death Day, had knocked Ioan into enough of a different mindset, that this felt much like a new project. Ey supposed that it had to do in part with the sudden cessation of sensorium messages from Dear. That the fox was now restricted to text only must've been a shock to its system, and when eir thoughts would drift away from the task at hand of collating histories, ey would picture it sitting at a desk scribbling away, frustration on its features and agitation in its tail.
There had been work before the launch, but the way in which it shifted Dear's Death Day, had knocked Ioan into enough of a different mindset, that this felt much like a new project. Ey supposed that it had to do in part with May Then My Name moving in with em, and in part with the sudden cessation of sensorium messages from Dear. That the fox was now restricted to text only must've been a shock to its system, and when eir thoughts would drift away from the task at hand of collating histories, ey would picture it sitting at a desk scribbling away, frustration on its features and agitation in its tail.
*Then again,* ey thought. *It still has plenty of company to pester up there.*
"Woolgathering?"
Ey snapped back to attention and smiled sheepishly at May Then My Name where she had parked herself on the other side of the room. "Yeah. I'm prone to that, I guess. I get in the zone and then an idea gets away from me and I forget to keep working."
Ey snapped back to attention and smiled sheepishly at May Then My Name where she had parked herself on the other side of the room. "Yeah, I guess. I get in the zone and then an idea gets away from me and I forget to keep working."
She nodded. "Well, come here, then. Let uss plan instead of read or write or whatever it is you are doing over there."
She nodded. "Well, come here, then. Let us plan instead of read or write or whatever it is you are doing over there."
"Woolgathering, apparently," ey mumbled, but gathered up a notebook and a pen to go plop down next to the skunk all the same.
When May had moved in with Ioan, she had quickly requested several changes to the house. A desk for her to work at, of course, as well as a private room --- a cube with all grey walls --- in which to do whatever it that she did when composing. She had also requested a few items that would work with her physiology. A stool for the desk that would let her tail drape down and curl around her feet, that sort of thing
She had not requested another room or bed, which had initially startled em.
She had not requested another room or bed, which had initially staggered em.
"Are you going back home to sleep?" ey had asked. "I thought you were moving in here."
She had laughed and poked em in the stomach with a finger. "You have a bed, Ioan. It fits two, yes? If not, just make it fit two."
Ey had formed few attachments, and certainly none which required sleeping in the same bed as someone. Eir confusion must have shown on eir face, as May had rolled her eyes and shook her head.
Ey had formed few attachments, and certainly none which required sleeping in the same bed as someone. Eir confusion must have shown on eir face, as May had rolled her eyes and laughed.
"I do not mean anything untoward by it," she said.
"I do not mean anything untoward by it," she had said.
Ey struggled to speak with a mouth suddenly dry. "If you say so. I just haven't slept in the same bed with someone...uh, ever, I guess."
Ey had struggled to speak with a mouth suddenly dry. "If you say so. I just haven't slept in the same bed with someone...uh, ever, I guess."
Her eyes had widened and she tilted her head. "Really? Never?"
Ey had shook eir head.
"Well, I would still prefer to share your bed with you, but if you feel uncomfortable, I will be fine with a bed like yours."
"Well, I would still prefer to share your bed with you, it is just the way I work. But if you feel uncomfortable, I will be fine with a bed like yours."
So now ey slept beside a skunk.

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@ -18,15 +18,15 @@ He had picked up the topic of the System's individual rights as his next pet top
He didn't know why he did this, why he felt the need to dive into politics. He was a no one in Addis Ababa, a city which paled in importance in the NEAC, a governing body that paled in comparison to the others in the world.
He had a data entry job he could do from home reasonably well, and he didn't slack off while at work (though he did leave DDR alerts on in his field of view). He made enough of a living to stay in his apartment in an alright part of town. He was comfortable. He had no plans to upload.
He had a data analysis job he could do from home reasonably well, and he didn't slack off while at work (though he did leave DDR alerts on in his field of view). He made enough of a living to stay in his apartment in an alright part of town. He was comfortable. He had no plans to upload.
Or had previously, at least. The more he learned, the more enticing it seemed.
Or previously hadn't, at least. The more he learned, the more enticing it seemed.
It certainly seemed like an easier life than this, accepting messages from shadowy government agencies to try and influence what was supposed to be a direct means of being represented in the legislatures of the world. It was one thing to try to do so from one's own perspective, but to accept such influence, even if he was only paid in coffee and cake...
It had surprised him that he had even picked up the task at first. Secession seemed like such a strange thing to ask for. What did the NEAC --- or any government, really --- gain by having the System secede? What was the System doing that threatened them so much? There was the brain-drain aspect that some feared, but this seemed to rely on some more basic instinct or need to have that which is different separated from that which was familiar.
He didn't know why he had picked up the task, but it was working, even on him. *Especially* on him. The idea of Secession from a government's point of view was one that fit neatly into his worldview without him needing to change anything, and that was strange in and of itself.
He didn't know why he had picked up the task, but it was working, even on him. *Especially* on him. The idea of secession from a government's point of view was one that fit neatly into his worldview without him needing to change anything, and that was strange in and of itself.
The System probably should secede. At that point, uploading became a simple matter of travel, one to a country that was guaranteed to grant you residency. Not only that, but, though the cost might be high and the move permanent, it offered a ready-made haven for refugees, whether from the increasingly hot climate or the countless little spats along disputed boundaries. Uploading was an option for those who had nowhere else to go, and one that offered them more freedom than any other country on earth.
@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ He realized he'd been so lost in thought that the wooded grove had already spat
>
> This is one of those arguments that is difficult to refute because, on the surface, it is indeed a potential reason that one might upload.
>
> That said, enough thought about how international terrorism works is enough to put this to bed. First of all, it is the responsibility of each country to monitor their own citizens to within the limits of their national policies (and, let us not kid ourselves, well beyond). If a disaffected citizen is willing to engage in a terrorist act on their home soil, then it is the responsibility for the government to deal with that individual.
> That said, enough thought about how international terrorism works is enough to put this to bed as yet more FUD. First of all, it is the responsibility of each country to monitor their own citizens to within the limits of their national policies (and, let us not kid ourselves, well beyond). If a disaffected citizen is willing to engage in a terrorist act on their home soil, then it is the responsibility for the government to deal with that individual.
>
> I will grant that this leaves the upload to contend with. There is no easy way to detect whether or not the system has punished them, and there's certainly no way for them to be extradited, should they be discovered.
>
@ -62,14 +62,14 @@ He realized he'd been so lost in thought that the wooded grove had already spat
>
> *Without clear news sources coming out of the System, there is no way for us to tell that the Council of Eight is effective at governing those sys-side.*
>
> I'm curious, now! What woud a "clear news source" would look like?
> Disregarding the Council of Eight's mandate to "guide but not govern", I'm curious, now! What would a "clear news source" would look like?
>
> When one thinks about news sources here, one thinks of a stream of information about concrete events: what hurricane hit which part of North America; what stock jumped to what price; what the cricket scores are. These are all *things.* The all have to do with *stuff* or *places* or *money.*
>
> Think of one thing that has made news recently that does not have to do with any of those things. I will preempt many of your examples:
>
> * Legislation --- that is, new laws to govern stuff, places, or money.
> * Scientific advances --- that is, new ways to work with stuff, places, or money (and before you suggest theoretical sciences, consider that those are future ways to work with things. Psychological breakthroughs? Better ways to keep us happy so that we can produce and consume more things).
> * Scientific advances --- that is, new ways to work with stuff, places, or money (and before you suggest theoretical sciences, consider that those are future ways to work with stuff. Psychological breakthroughs? Better ways to keep us happy so that we can produce and consume more stuff).
> * International relations --- that is, which group people have which stuff that which other group of people want.
> * Technological breakthroughs --- stuff.
> * Exploration --- places.