jikan_network | video | un: flowercrown

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original: will lawan

video | un: flowercrown

(( Today when Will takes to the network, he looks a little more serious than usual. There's a some weariness around his features, like he didn't get a good night's rest. But he cards his fingers through his hair to push it back and he manages a soft smile when he looks into the camera. ))

I'm curious.

There are people here from so many different places and times with so many different expectations about social interactions. So, I'm really curious. What's considered right and good behavior when and where you come from? What's polite? What's rude? What's something one could get away with but could be questionable? Is there some sort of social hierarchy?

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[It's an intriguing set of questions and he ponders before responding, gathering his thoughts. Of course his dragon features are on full display when he finally does respond but he's learned to embrace them now rather than hide them.]

I was raised in a social hierarchy as you speak of. Your elders or the more powerful are to be respected and have a say in your life. They could decide what is good and right whether it was fair or not. You had to be polite without question...

[He looks down.]

I come from a more ancient time but I've watched people be hurt by these ideals more than a balance created because of them. There was a time when I was even the one causing the pain by abusing power that I have. And that's when I've realized something...

Sometimes a people will create a culture to understand the world. It's neither good nor bad. But when you use that structure to hurt and control then it becomes tainted and wrong.

Ah but I'm not sure if that actually truly answered your questions. I apologize.

(( Will listens attentively, nodding to show that he understands what Runyu is saying. ))

Would you mind elaborating on a few points? I have some questions, but only if you don't mind sharing.

Of course. Please as anything you wish.

[He doesn't mind at all.]

What exactly is your social hierarchy? How is it structured? Where I live, the social stratification is mostly based on... income. Money. People are judged by that, by what they do for a living and what they have. Esepcially those with less or those with nothing at all. Some cultures I've lived among still have respect for elders, but not to the point that those elders have a say in their life choices. In others, it could be considered rude to assume someone's age, especially if you're wrong about it!

It is similar though more in a political sense with age being secondary compared to your station. So I would be an example.

There are those that are far older than me but I outrank them by being the Emperor. However among those of equal station their age would allow them to outrank those around them.

Does that help?

Have you had trouble adapting to a more egalitarian society?

Not at all. It's honestly one that I wish I had been part of my entire life.

Me either! Socio-political status is how my people are stratified, too. I like this much better! But, I still don't want to be rude to others by blatantly disrespecting their customs. Does that make sense?

Of course. That is the polite thing to do. Truthfully I've found that if you leave yourself more open then you are better able to learn from what confuses you. To close yourself off and not allow for greater knowledge or growth will only bring harm.

[Something he knows from personal experience even if not, in this case, culturally.]

(( Will nods in agreement. ))

Adaptability is important. It may not have the technology I'm accustomed to from my home, but there's a very global feel here with so many people from so many places.

And it has technology that I'm not accustomed to.

[He laughs softly because he's sure that's obvious. People dressed like him tend to have that familiar struggle.]

But I've enjoyed learning ways I was never taught. It's shown me so much more about how one way of thinking cannot lead us to a brighter future but only chain us to the past.

Technology is good in some way, like how it connects people across vast distances. But it's also easy to become too dependent on it.

I can understand why that would be given how convenient it is. One could fall into the trap of that convenience. Is that correct?

Precisely! It makes us a little impatient when we have to wait for things. And it also makes people feel like they have 24-hour access to you.

Ah. That last part I understand well. Though I was often left alone I was expected to be ready to be called any time of the day.

[The Empress, may she never rest in peace, was a terrible woman.]

But I hadn't been aware that this device could be seen that way. I do see that rather easily now though.

It's a similar sort of thing. Just because someone can reach out to you at all times, doesn't necessarily mean you're available. Maybe you're taking a bath or on a date and don't want to be disturbed. But then some people might get unhappy if you don't respond to them immediately.

I wonder if the advances in technology for communication have contributed to a shift in cultures over the eras. Where as it became easier the way we speak to each other changed to be more casual as well.

Do you think that's possible? You seem to perhaps be from a future time than I am.

I think it might have. Once the telephone became commonplace, and people could have more private conversation, they didn't have to worry about being judged by the social mores of their peers as they would in public. And other forms of communication that were borne of the telephone made business and industry work faster and faster which eventually made more work for people because they're expected to accomplish more during their working and waking hours.

I see.

So those of a more ancient time would still expect it, unfairly mind you, because they're used to much slower communication. Whereas those of a more future time would be used to adapting because of how rapidly things change. Intriguing.

[He hums as he thinks of a friend of his.]

For some who move slow I would say to have patience in teaching them. But some can be so stubborn they would rather be blind than see the path forward.

Adaptability works both ways, I think. It's a two-way street. You can have the greatest teacher of all time fail if their student isn't willing to learn. Alternately, the best student won't flourish if their teacher is bad. But we're all teachers and learners at the same time, especially in a place like this with so many different kinds of people!

(( He's actually very excited by that and it shows in the way his cadence picks up and the smile threatening to take over his face. ))

[He smiles as he listens, enjoying the excitement this young man expresses so freely. It's nice.]

You're right. Only the truly arrogant would feel they have no lessons left to learn in life. Even from the inexperienced.

Mm, but then comes the question of how much grace to give. When does it become a waste of time trying to be patient in the teaching or learning? Of course, everyone moves at their own pace and there's no one answer to that. Sorry, I'm just babbling!

You have nothing to apologize for. I feel that is a fair question. I believe the answer is that if you feel that nothing is being gained but frustration then it is best to stop. You can teach and learn from another. But a wall is just a wall.

Well, I'm lucky in that the people I've met so far have been very adaptable.

There was a time when I was that wall. Where I didn't want to learn and only have my way.

[He smiles sadly.]

I lost everything that way. It's no way to live your life or expect others to live. Adapting with those around you will lead to more happiness.

Video | un: nightwanderer

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