«12. . .2,0682,0692,0702,0712,0722,0732,074. . .2,6522,653»
Messages |
---|
The Incorporated States of Terrabod Well, that's undoubtedly one of two reasons that the American interest in genealogy has developed so differently to other countries (even compared to other nations settled by immigrants like Canada and Australia). The other is less palatable; in the wake of the American Civil War, having a well-researched record of one's ancestry was a way of justifying and enforcing the social hierarchy. To be able to prove that one's ancestors arrived from Germany, England, Scotland, Sweden (read: to prove that one's bloodline was pure) was to use genealogy as a weapon of exclusion and a vehicle for white supremacy. Of course, I'm not trying to argue that's still the case with America's present-day interest in ancestry which has clearly evolved post-civil rights to something of a shared national hobby. I was, of course, joshing our American members - I get that genealogy is just a bit of fun for many of them. As you say, though, there is an element of cultural disconnect when Americans play the "I'm Irish" card when abroad, especially in places where your identity is thought to come from shared culture and shared experience instead of where your great great somebody was born. I grew up with kids whose parents came from places like India, Pakistan and China, but since we have that shared culture and shared experience I'd say they have as much claim to my nationality as I do - and in the nicest way more of a claim than an American tourist does. It is harmless, and is most often met with lighthearted jest (not accusations of arrogance), but at the end of the day it's America's quirk so we shouldn't assume that those values are the default. I think it's a great thing that Americans have those kinds of shared interests that they can bond over... but it's just not the way everyone views identity. EDIT: I should add that, as with the majority of non-Americans, I don't mean to say that American tourists are unwelcome in any sense or that they shouldn't engage with my culture. I have no problem with Americans learning about my national identity and enjoying our traditions (quite the opposite!) but the above is about something else and shouldn't be taken as exclusionary. I hope it doesn't come across that way! Ordealius, Murmuria, Cuillin, Mount Seymour, and 7 othersAtsvea, Lord Dominator, Uan aa Boa, Middle Barael, Nation of ecologists, Garbelia, and Difinbelk |
The Whispering Trees of Murmuria Brazilian singer-songwriter Caetano Veloso said that the U.S. are the country that took the name of a continent. In his opinion, that is incorrect and unfair. They're all American, from Alaska to the Tierra del Fuego. Effazio, Mount Seymour, Ownzone, Atsvea, and 6 othersLord Dominator, Terrabod, The Teeth, Nation of ecologists, Garbelia, and Lugnan |
It's interesting to contrast that american genealogy thing with how things work in this very unusual nation I live in. In Brazil, not only did we have the "three races myth" (an understanding that the archetypical Brazilian was formed after centuries of peaceful miscigenation between "Africans, natives and whites") as a cultural staple, we also had it as effectively an institutional guiding rule for policies and such. The whitening theory during the late 19th century is probably the best example https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racial_whitening Brazilian eugenicists had some very different ideas to other eugenicists. Our largest wave of imigration (excluding slave trade) was of poor europeans, with the explicit intention to have them breed with the local population so the offspring would be whiter. It's absurd to imagine something like this happening in the US for example. Saying you're 1/32th scottish here is not unheard of, but very rarely brought up. If you're born here then (informally) you're either just "white", "black", most likely some shade of "moreno" and, rarely, "asian" or "indian". The people who bring up their heritage in terms of nations (like in the scottish example) are almost always white middle-to-upper class, and it's seen as a snobbish way to try and seem "european", and thus somehow noble. That's not always the case (for example, my grandfather, a son of peasant italian migrants, keeps his heritage very close to his heart), but saying you're not 100% brazilian is seen as a way to try and distance yourself from other people and to seem superior. And I'm not even going to get into the Mongrel Complex thing because that's barely related to the topic at hand. The "three races myth" is probably a good response to the desire to understand our origins that Verdant Haven mentioned that could only have happened here. "Where did we come from?" "From the peaceful and democratic mixture of these three arbitrary racial divisions" and then leave it at that. And I can only imagine how it's like in the rest of latin america, because Brazil has, as I mentioned in another post, very distinct and complex racial relations, which are very different from the rest of L.A. However, spanish colonization was also very different from british colonization on the americas. Like with the US, very few people here can say "my family has been here for 500 years." However, in a country like Bolivia, where 44% of the population self-identifies as indigenous and almost 88% are in some way direct descendents of indigenous peoples, the number of families living there for 500 years will be a lot higher. The way colonization affected the understanding of heritage here in the americas is so so interesting... Yeah, in Brazil (and the rest of south america) the continent is just called "america", with the division between central, south and north americas. People from the US aren't called "americanos", they're called "estado-unidense" (united-stater or something similar) Effazio, Murmuria, Verdant Haven, Cuillin, and 9 othersMount Seymour, Atsvea, Lord Dominator, Uan aa Boa, Terrabod, The Teeth, Middle Barael, Nation of ecologists, and Garbelia |
The Taiga Folk of Northern Wood https://i.imgur.com/f6KwdNG.png ...I apologize for signing so large Chilledsville, Frieden-und Freudenland, Atsvea, Lord Dominator, and 3 othersMiddle Barael, Nation of ecologists, and Garbelia |
The Democratic Island Federation of Frieden-und Freudenland Nice to meet you, John. Hate to break the news, but there is an ugly skyscraper in Boston named after you. Atsvea, Lord Dominator, Terrabod, Northern Wood, and 3 othersMiddle Barael, Nation of ecologists, and Garbelia |
The Taiga Folk of Northern Wood Oh wow, I wasn't aware of that. I've been to the top of the one in Chicago, which also has that name and is also ugly, though in a goofy kind of way that makes people somewhat embrace it. https://i.imgur.com/wsGYtnA.jpg It's the black one. Not as bad as Boston's, which I just looked up. But then, Chicago has a trump tower marring its skyline, so they've no room for bragging, either... |
The Most Serene Eco-Republic of Middle Barael I looked it up, and you’re right, it is very ugly. I’m of the opinion that most modern skyscrapers are pretty ugly or at least boring, though of course there are some exceptions. The MetLife Building and MetLife North in NYC are both cool-looking, as are their neighbors the Flatiron Building and the New York Life Building. The Chrysler Building is cool, especially the Art Deco Gilded-Age interior, and I like the flamboyance of the Woolworth Building. And of course “the Vessel” (though I prefer to call it “the Shawarma”) at Hudson Yards is awesome |
The Kiwi Bird Forest of Ordealius What do you think of the AT&T Building in Nashville? We call it the Batman building locally. John Hancock Building looks like a prision tower, poor thing! |
Ruinenlust was walking down a quaint little path in the forest, having a good day. It snaked itself around an interesting rock face, and there were all kinds of lichens, minerals and formations to just hold your attention and make you think about the wonders of the universe. It was from one of those little formations, an otherwise delightful little cave, that a band of pirates followed by a despicable-looking necromancer lord, burst out and grabbed him. Despite the somewhat rough treatment, Ruinenlust had been having too good of a day so far to let such a thing dampen things down. Besides... : "Hello, Mr Forest Keeper! How're you doing?" The necromancer lord seemed surprised by this, until he remembered that he *had* stood for election so it wasn't irrational that the denizens of Forest would recognise him. Instead, he opted to do the politician's handshake and just get right to business. : "Good, citizen, really good in fact! A grand old day." : "What brings you to these parts, Mr Forest Keeper?" Putting on his most regal show possible, Chan Island gave a dismissive look before his voice boomed with try-hard importance. : "I'm on my way to announce my new cabinet!" Ruinenlust smiled. : "Oh, that's great! Is it Ikea?" Chan Island looked more defeated than any paladin of the light could have accomplished. : "N- no, I mean a cabinet as in a government cabinet." : "One where you-" : "I mean the kind with ministers in it!" : ".... OK." Necromancer pirate lord Chan Island sighed, before saying very matter of factly. : "My new government's going to look like this: The Cypher Nine will be the new Deputy Forest Keeper, with powers over Communications, Appearance, Border Control, Embassies and Polls. He will be the spare, the back-up man, the leader where and when I am not able to be one. Middle Barael will be the new Lore Minister , until such time as we get a more zany title for it, responsible for all things Role Play, in universe and, well, fun in general. This entails powers over Communications and Appearance. Terrabod will be the new Culture Minister. By contrast, this new expanded ministry will primarily be aimed at promoting events, campaigns and, you know, reminding people that the environment is pretty chill, maybe you could like, join us. A very interesting little experiment of a role, with powers over Communications and Appearance. The venerable Verdant Haven shall be the new Foreign Minister. Very much the sort of role I usually find you can discover about by reading the label on the tin. Powers over Communications, Embassies and Polls. Good luck with the ambassador program. Kawastyselir shall remain as Arborist. Ya know, I'm still not 1000% sure on what all of those statistics and data stuff they talked about meant, but even I'm not going to oppose that energy. No archivist could ever be complete without the powers of Communications and Appearance. Last and most newly there shall be 2 Forest Rangers, a hopefully in practice ceremonial role but you never know type of gig. Just keep a watch and safeguard the forest. Powers over Border Control. And their names will be Einswenn and Ownzone." Chan Island glanced at Ruinenlust again. : "Any questions?" Ruinenlust went into deep thought before cursing. : "Argh, shoot, I-" : "I'm appointing ministers because I actually can't legally shoot you all until I change the constitution, and I can't do that without ministers." A very heavy pause grew between the two. Finally, Ruinenlust was the first to break. : "What?" : "What?" : "Did you ju-" : "Just make it happen, OK mortal?!" EDIT: Will just add this will probably be the last 'flavour text' government announcement in a while. First a spell of serious government before I give myself that right again. Ordealius, Murmuria, Verdant Haven, Einswenn, and 20 othersKawastyselir, Chilledsville, Frieden-und Freudenland, Mount Seymour, Ownzone, Daarwyrth, Atsvea, Ruinenlust, Lord Dominator, Uan aa Boa, The Cypher Nine, Terrabod, Northern Wood, Novian Republics, Simbolon, The Teeth, Middle Barael, Garbelia, Difinbelk, and The most serene republicans |
The Eclectic Republic of Difinbelk good to see our new Overlord Forest Keeper's Cabinet announced Frieden-und Freudenland, Atsvea, Ruinenlust, Lord Dominator, and 4 othersTerrabod, Middle Barael, Garbelia, and The most serene republicans |
Ruinenlust chuckled a bit as he made his way to the super-secret Executive Control Center in the middle of an ageless dawn redwood grove, whose soft, deciduous needles were just beginning to bud out for the spring. "'Until I change the constitution,' Chan island says," Ruinenlust mumbled. "Doesn't he realize that I have to give approval for constitutional amendments?" Ruinenlust entered through the heavy, ruddy doors of the Executive Control Center, which were plain except for a small, simple carving of a tree on the front. "And moreover that the citizens have voiced their support for me already, and indeed sustain me in my powers that even he, the necromancer himself, does not have? They're gonna be pissed if he tries to shoot me." Ruinenlust started to transcribe the names of the cabinet members into the grand, old book that had been maintained by the Eternal Errinundera, or so he had seemed. At first, Ruinenlust hesitated to even write in the book, and yet it had to be done, if the powers were to transfer successfully. He had gotten more used to it since locking down the region and running the election, but his old-fashioned cursive in silver letters looked highly inadequate on the pages after Errinundera's confident, minimalistic golden script that stretched back for pages and years. "Then again, maybe they wouldn't care so much. I am, after all, just a cheap imitation of the Founder. He needed nobody's approval. Still, maybe this new path is the better one, in the end." As the names and powers were recorded, select citizens across the Forest found themselves imbued with new powers and saddled with new responsibilities. "Poor Verdant Haven. Ambassadors too? Chan is trying to kill him off first, not me," he laughed. "And Middle Barael escaped from that Sisyphean, thankless task, it appears." With the election over and the appointments fulfilled, a tired, but relieved Ruinenlust closed the book, slowly placed the silver pen back into its little tray, and glanced for a moment at the golden pen, which was locked in a beautiful glass case that he could not open or find the key for--"he probably always had it on him," Ruinenlust remarked to himself. After making sure that everything was in order, left the Executive Control Center and locked the simple, red door. "Well, now I can maybe have a bit of a break from this for a little while," Ruinenlust thought, as he made his way back to the overgrown ruins that he called home. "If he doesn't shoot me, that is. Then I would have a break for a little longer than a little while," he thought with a smirk, in spite of himself. ----- All done! Congratulations to Chan island again, and to the Tenth Cabinet Members of Forest!! :-D Murmuria, Verdant Haven, Einswenn, Kawastyselir, and 11 othersFrieden-und Freudenland, Chan island, Mount Seymour, Atsvea, Lord Dominator, Terrabod, Novian Republics, Middle Barael, Garbelia, Difinbelk, and The most serene republicans |
The Pacific Alpine Commonwealth of Mount Seymour Good to see this new cabinet! My best wishes to all the officers. I'd be highly interested in hearing what reasoning led to the appointment of each of the cabinet members, since they are nearly all either new to the government or in reshuffled positions. Einswenn, Kawastyselir, Frieden-und Freudenland, Atsvea, and 8 othersRuinenlust, Love and Nature, Lord Dominator, Uan aa Boa, Terrabod, Middle Barael, Garbelia, and The most serene republicans |
The ouija board told him to do it. ;-) EDIT: Actually, looking at Chan's national policies, their government minister are chosen by sortition, so... Murmuria, Chilledsville, Frieden-und Freudenland, Mount Seymour, and 6 othersAtsvea, Lord Dominator, Terrabod, Middle Barael, Garbelia, and The most serene republicans |
The Incorporated States of Terrabod We played a game of Uno and the loser got to be in charge of the ambassador programme. Ordealius, Kawastyselir, Frieden-und Freudenland, Chan island, and 9 othersAtsvea, Ruinenlust, Lord Dominator, Simbolon, Lura, Middle Barael, Garbelia, Difinbelk, and The most serene republicans |
Sounds about right, judging from personal experience. Weee!!! I no longer have consequential things to do for a while. I've never been so glued to NS as since Errin CTE'd, with everything going on. Now I can go back my sloth/cat ways for a while. Ordealius, Chilledsville, Frieden-und Freudenland, Atsvea, and 7 othersLord Dominator, Uan aa Boa, Terrabod, Middle Barael, Garbelia, Difinbelk, and The most serene republicans |
I didn't annoy him quite enough to get in the government. Or maybe just enough to not be in the government.* On a second thought, I'm fine with not being in the government. RIP Verdant Haven * this sounded way less salty in my head Mount Seymour, Atsvea, Ruinenlust, Lord Dominator, and 3 othersTerrabod, Middle Barael, and Garbelia |
The Concordant Stratum of The Cypher Nine Chan basically said “I hate everything you stand for so why don’t you join my cabinet?” Chilledsville, Frieden-und Freudenland, Atsvea, Ruinenlust, and 6 othersLord Dominator, Terrabod, Novian Republics, Middle Barael, Garbelia, and The most serene republicans |
The Democratic Island Federation of Frieden-und Freudenland In other news, I just received an email from Massachusetts telling me that I will be sent a link to choose a vaccination appointment slot tomorrow. After a year of uncertainty and anxiety, it is now officially my turn to get a vaccine. I am excited and happy :) Effazio, Verdant Haven, Mount Seymour, Atsvea, and 8 othersRuinenlust, Uan aa Boa, Terrabod, The Teeth, Lura, Middle Barael, Garbelia, and The most serene republicans |
The Democratic Moon pizza nation of Love and Nature So do we have a cartographer anymore? Frieden-und Freudenland, Mount Seymour, Atsvea, Ruinenlust, and 5 othersLord Dominator, Uan aa Boa, Middle Barael, Garbelia, and The most serene republicans |
The Most Serene Eco-Republic of Middle Barael Kawastyselir, Frieden-und Freudenland, Chan island, Atsvea, and 6 othersRuinenlust, Love and Nature, Lord Dominator, Terrabod, Garbelia, and The most serene republicans |
The Equatorial Forests of Uan aa Boa With the end of Mozworld's long period of responsibility for the WFE which government member will now be doing that? I hope the quote of the fortnight continues. Mozworld, Kawastyselir, Frieden-und Freudenland, Chan island, and 9 othersMount Seymour, Atsvea, Ruinenlust, Lord Dominator, Hoochlandia, Terrabod, Simbolon, Middle Barael, and Garbelia |
The Democratic Island Federation of Frieden-und Freudenland Speaking of that, I anticipate the answer to this will probably be no, but have we archived the quotes of the fortnight so far? It would have been great to do so. |
The Concordant Stratum of The Cypher Nine Yes, there is a dispatch with all of them including the last one. EDIT: "The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now." ~ Chinese proverb "You know me, I think there ought to be a big old tree right there. And let's give him a friend. Everybody needs a friend." "A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself. Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to our people. " "Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree." "The care of the Earth is our most ancient and most worthy, and after all, our most pleasing responsibility. " "Every election is determined by the people who show up." "Trees exhale for us so that we can inhale them to stay alive. Can we ever forget that? Let us love trees with every breath we take until we perish.” "Nothing beats a haunted moonlit night on All Hallows Eve.... And on this fatal night, at this witching time, the starless sky laments black and unmoving. The somber hues of an ominous, dark forest are suddenly illuminated under the emerging face of the full moon." "I took a walk in the woods and came out taller than the trees.” "The world has enough beautiful mountains and meadows, spectacular skies and serene lakes. It has enough lush forests, flowered fields, and sandy beaches. It has plenty of stars and the promise of a new sunrise and sunset every day. What the world needs more of is people to appreciate and enjoy it.” "I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields, that it kisses them so gently? And then it covers them up snug, you know, with a white quilt; and perhaps it says ‘Go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again’.” "Snow was falling, so much like stars filling the dark trees that one could easily imagine its reason for being was nothing more than prettiness.” "A cold wind was blowing from the north, and it made the trees rustle like living things." "How is it possible that the most intellectual creature to ever walk the planet Earth is destroying its only home?" "The world's forests are a shared stolen treasure that we must put back for our children's future." "When a man moves away from nature his heart becomes hard." "I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order." "Voting has become much like visiting a fast-food outlet or convenience store - turn up whenever you like. Heaven forbid that the right and responsibility to vote on the future of your state, or nation, cuts across other more important plans you might have." "We inter-breath with the rain forests, we drink from the oceans. They are part of our own body." "To really feel a forest canopy one must use different senses, and often the most useful one is the sense of imagination." "Be nice to the environment. Be nice to animals. Be nice to people. If you do that, you will leave a mark on the world." "An understanding of the natural world and what’s in it is a source of not only a great curiosity but great fulfillment." "If all mankind were to disappear, the world would regenerate back to the rich state of equilibrium that existed ten thousand years ago. If insects were to vanish, the environment would collapse into chaos." "He that plants trees loves others besides himself." "Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time." "The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit." "Destroying rainforest for economic gain is like burning a Renaissance painting to cook a meal." "When trees burn, they leave the smell of heartbreak in the air." "The tree is more than first a seed, then a stem, then a living trunk, and then dead timber. The tree is a slow, enduring force straining to win the sky." "Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better." "Here, in the forest, dark and deep, I offer you eternal sleep." "One of the first conditions of happiness is that the link between man and nature shall not be broken." "The only way forward, if we are going to improve the quality of the environment, is to get everybody involved." "Winter giveth the fields, and the trees so old, their beards of icicles and snow..." "The pine stays green in winter... wisdom in hardship." "The indescribable innocence of and beneficence of Nature,--of sun and wind and rain, of summer and winter,--such health, such cheer, they afford forever!" "In a forest of a hundred thousand trees, no two leaves are alike. And no two journeys along the same path are alike." "For 200 years we’ve been conquering Nature. Now we’re beating it to death." "If you truly love Nature, you will find beauty everywhere." "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning how to dance in the rain." "Forests are the world's air-conditioning system—the lungs of the planet—and we are on the verge of switching it off." "The earth is the mother of all people, and all people should have equal rights upon it." "The forests are the lungs of the world. I've always believed if you breathe, you're an environmentalist." "The richness I achieve comes from Nature, the source of my inspiration." "Watch out for potoroos." "The fairest thing in nature, a flower, still has its roots in earth and manure." "In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous." "Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you." "It is horrifying that we have to fight our own government to save the environment." "No spring nor summer beauty hath such grace as I have seen in one autumnal face." "Nothing is more beautiful than the loveliness of the woods before sunrise." "What good is the warmth of summer without the cold of winter to give it sweetness." "Of winter's lifeless world each tree, Now seems a perfect part; Yet each one holds summer's secret, Deep down within its heart." "Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s needs, but not every man’s greed. " "What’s the use of a fine house if you haven’t got a tolerable planet to put it on." "First a howling blizzard woke us, Then the rain came down to soak us, And now before the eye can focus — Crocus." "It’s surely our responsibility to do everything within our power to create a planet that provides a home not just for us but for all life on Earth." "I think nature’s imagination is so much greater than man’s, she’s never going to let us relax." "All my life through, the new sights of Nature made me rejoice like a child." "The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn." "To sit in the shade on a fine day, and look upon verdure, is the most perfect refreshment." "The Earth is a fine place and worth fighting for." "Nature is painting for us, day after day, pictures of infinite beauty." "It is our collective and individual responsibility … to preserve and tend to the world in which we all live." "If you think the economy is more important than the environment, try holding your breath while counting your money." "Like music and art, love of nature is a common language that can transcend political or social boundaries." "Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower." "Suddenly the day was gone, night came out from under each tree and spread." "Men argue. Nature acts." "The crisp path through the field in this December snow, in the deep dark, where we trod the buried grass like ghosts on dry toast." "Trees are as close to immortality as the rest of us ever come." "We won’t have a society if we destroy the environment." "If we surrendered to earth’s intelligence we could rise up rooted, like trees." "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." Mozworld, Einswenn, Frieden-und Freudenland, Chan island, and 8 othersAtsvea, Ruinenlust, Lord Dominator, Uan aa Boa, Hoochlandia, Terrabod, Middle Barael, and Garbelia |
This isn't an all-time list, these are just the ones I've used during my tenure so I didn't repeat one. |
The Whispering Trees of Murmuria I'd refuse to join a cabinet that would have me as a member. Effazio, Frieden-und Freudenland, Mount Seymour, Atsvea, and 6 othersRuinenlust, Lord Dominator, Hoochlandia, Terrabod, Middle Barael, and Garbelia |