Idling and observing on this became a little difficult last night, due to both the prevalence of sexual¹ posts and the strange cross-species event that was hosted and discussed in great detail. While violent² displays are indeed commonplace among trolls, it surprised me to see so many humans participating and encouraging it as well - prompting me to wonder if humans also have the same type of innate, society-instilled drive for violence as trolls, or if it is a specific case-by-case basis and that event simply happened to attract the most violent of the humans? Regardless, I have returned to continue observing the timeline, and tonight my largest point of interest is the unique interpretations and scenarios created by trolls/people about quadrants. It is easy to fall into the assumption that the four quadrants are simple and there are no complex aspects to them; however, when actually filling out a quadrant, one tends to find that to be false. There are many cases where kismesis falter to pity, or where an auspitice begins to feel pity and/or hate for one or both of the parties they are mediating to the point where they are no longer an adequate mediation vehicle.
Describing this post as a 'dissertation' would be inaccurate. A dissertation is, in most cases, specifically written for the purposes of achieving a marked score and is focused on a specific topic, including contributions to the field which the dissertation is focused on. A dissertation is also, at least in the case of trolls undergoing education, the longest piece of writing that can do; while this post is nowhere near the longest post I have or will write. It would have followed the standard format for any essay including a dissertation: an introduction, where the topic would have been presented; a literature review, where the necessary sources are explained with appropriate citation depending on the format; the methodology, wherein the troll would explain how they conducted their research; the results, where they would explain the findings; the discussion, where they analyze those findings and where they apply to the field, and a conclusion where all of the information would be tied neatly in a bow and sufficiently and succinctly wrap the entirety of the dissertation up.
I cannot believe you're defining dissertation as if you really believe I thought that was a genuine dissertation. King, it's a turn of phrase. It means you type too damn much.
I think perhaps the spring equinox had 8rought a8out some manner of virility induced frenzy amongst the humans, since most of the time they really are quite docile! At least as far as most of them are concerned. I 8elieve most of them are also more acquainted with the concept of a "Passion Play," wherein they simply pretend to engage in violent sacrificial maiming. I do agree with you with regards to the greater nuance of quadrants, however, particularly the emotional minefield that auspisticism is. With how ordinary vascillating is, it's of no surprise that 8eing an auspistice can lead to much more complicated interpersonal dynamics. Having to mediate 8etween two quarreling parties undou8tedly causes a great deal of tension 8etween the mediator and their leaves. Each quadrant has their own system and rules, as well as their own responsi8ilities to their partner, as well as managing the other partners in their own squares.
What is there to be confused about? I was simply explaining first the reason why I was not active on this website for most of the night. I do however notice that I neglected to tag it appropriately, so it may be necessary for me to delete this post entirely and re-write it, perhaps without skimming on certain details? There were a lot more topics I could have touched on, such as the potential implications of trolls performing human religious rituals and what that could mean for our species as we continue to interact with humans; and vice versa for the humans if they continue to interact with us. Will humans begin to adopt troll customs? Will they be inspired by the caste system? Will we see humans adopting the religion of the purplebloods? It's fascinating to wonder.
Well, on the human side of things. While nurture, companionship and comradery is more the name of the game for us, humans are also really good at this violence game, and have spent about as much time as following these virtues as much as they do for developing more and more ways to cause bloodshed. A lot of the humans you see here are under duress, unique circumstances and simply are Going Through It. Their circumstances shape their actions. I have been fighting for my own survival for the last 6 or 7 sweeps by your metrics. I have had to master violence. But I also tire of it and one day want to find love to find peace. We don't have the quadrants like you but we have a lot of what you have in them. Rivals, close friends, lovers.
Interesting! The term "passion play" is new to me, so I am making a note of it in my human compendium to reference in future observations. I suppose there is a part of it that makes sense: troll society, at least on Alternia (I have heard Beforus is different?) is heavily centered around violence, from punishment to pleasure to recreational activities, to the point where seeing a troll nailed to some surface would simply have another troll assume 'Ah, he must have run into a purpleblood', or 'How unfortunate, he must have spoke out of turn'. For humans, whose society I have already gathered is far less based on any one trait let alone violence, to see someone nailed to a surface would cause a mixture of emotions depending on the human, as it is something they are likely unfamiliar with. Some might be afraid, some might be disgusted, while others may get a thrill out of it in the 'taboo' sense, in the same way a troll may get the 'taboo' thrill cavorting with a troll several castes lower or higher than them. That must be what this "passion play" term means -- to find a sense of uncanny passion in something most people/trolls would struggle to. I am glad you agree with me about the difficulties of auspiticism. I myself have engaged in pitch situations and have struggled to find the idea of a mediator between us to be appealing; or rather, I find it too difficult to believe there would be one troll uniquely capable of this. I for one would find it remarkably difficult to manage the boundaries between a healthy kismesiship and an unhealthy one, while also maintaining my own sense of self, and my own relationships. However, this only means I admire those who are capable of doing this more, and would love to sit down with one and examine how they do it sometime.
I have heard some *stories* from my own group of friends regarding the dramatic pitfalls of trying to fill all four of your quadrants when you're only a8le to interact with eleven other trolls. It has 8een such a relief for me in particular that they're all a8le to expand their social circles with Alternians and humans. They might even 8e a8le to retain their dwindling sanity inside their thinkpans more effectively that way. That's a little harsh of me, 8ut I also wouldn't say my own group of acquaintances are the 8est reference guide to ordinary 8eforans. We're a little 8it of a mixed 8ag of unusual characters. A "Passion Play" actually has a much more direct source of inspiration, 8eing in reference to the murder of an acclaimed religious leader. It is a8out *his* passion, specifically. I do think your interpretation would 8e a much more apt definition for a 8roader concept of human theater dedicated to ta8oo su8ject material.
That is another topic of interest I would love to hear more about sometime! I have noticed many people have groups of friends among their species limited to groups of four and twelve, and many speak of a game (though other versions of themselves do not.) And most fascinating, they tend to be one of each of the caste system! A group of friends (or allies, enemies, etc) comprised of each caste is such a unique situation with such remarkable implications... even outside of the obvious quadrant complications. Ah! I see. It is a specific term for that situation, then... I will have to further examine that religion, and move that particular note away from the 'general' section of my compendium to the 'religious' section instead. Thank you for clarifying.
Let me tell you, assem8ling one of each caste was an event that I don't think any of us were expecting to actually last, 8ut there were certain aspects at play that made our union of the hemospectrum very, very important. I do always appreciate it when a fellow scholar notices these patterns, and I do wish you the 8est of luck on uncovering new information while 8rowsing this we8site. Even through all of the irrelevant thirstposting. Should you have any specific inquiries regarding anything, please, don't hesitate to ask. ::::)