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Town Hall Meeting mit J.D. Barnes

Verfasst: 12.09.2007, 22:04
von Hamsta
Es gibt ein wunderbares Log vom heutigen Town Hall Meeting auf dem J.D. Barnes ein paar Fragen der Forscher beantwortet hat: Spoiler: Niederschrift
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Eleri: Since I have you up here, Mr. Barnes, why don't you take a moment to tell us a bit about yourself.

J.D. Barnes: Questions for me? Well, if people wish. I doubt I have much interesting to add. Hmm... well, about me. I'm just an explorer. I'm an anthropologist by trade and by training, initially here to do field work.

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leeloo: How did you become involve with the DRC?

J.D. Barnes: I think 'involved' is the wrong term. I decided to pursue topics in D'ni and contacted the DRC for authorization. Though I was here before I began my research, I felt professionalism required sanction from the DRC. My research is still on-going, actually. I don't think I've drawn any definitive conclusions yet
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rebus: What is your opinion about the restauration? You think like (Dr.) Watson does?

J.D. Barnes: I definitely agree with him in one respect, that we are here now and have to deal with that. I think a purely archeological restoration is ineffective at this point. There is too much 'living' culture here now.
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Erik: What's your favourite D'ni subject to study? Any particular phenomenon that has caught your attention?

J.D. Barnes: Erik, well, as an anthropologist, I am primarily interested in culture. However, I think the D'ni provide an interesting and unique study in most areas. It really is a way to confirm whether many principles which we have applied to our own culture apply to something beyond humanity. I find the D'ni's religious aspects particularly fascinating, however. Hmm... I better stop there before I begin lecturing...
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Barbarra (via Eleri): What do you think of the Guild system?

J.D. Barnes: I think it's easy to demonize the D'ni Guild system. A distrust of organization is common nowadays, especially among strong-willed individuals like the explorers. However, we have to remember that the Guilds maintained a realtively stable civilization for almost 10 millenia. They must have been doing something right in order to do that. However you may feel about their pride or hubris, they did provide for their people.

As for the Guilds toay, I think the important point is to remember that they need not be like the Guilds of the old D'ni. We are a different people in a different set of circumstances, our organizations should be different as well. I think it's important that Guilds be sevrice-oriented. Not a governmental body, but organized to serve the needs of the new D'ni. The Guild of Greeters is an excellent example of such an organization.
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Finn Dove: Mr. Barnes, for most of those 10,000 years, the D'ni Guilds has kings watching over them. Whch is best - with or without kings?

J.D. Barnes: Well, about two thirds of D'ni history had a monarchy. There were good kings and bad kings. But honestly, we knoe very little about the time after Kerath abdicated his throne. I'm not sure I could compare in which eras were better for the D'ni.

JWPlatt: Wasn't it rather presumtuous of Kerath to end the line of Kings simple because he felt he had done all he needed to?

J.D. Barnes: Well, JW, he was the King, after all. And in many ways, his beliefs reflected the dominant opinion at the time.

Finn Dove: So, when you say the guild system was solid, you are speaking primarily of the time of kings?

J.D. Barnes: The Guilds continued for another 3000 years. I'd call that a relatively solid run for an organization.
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TCT Stellaflora: Do you feel that DRC is paying close enought attention to the Barho and their coulture? Do do you feel they are trying to ignore them and hoping they will just go away?

J.D. Barnes: That's a very good question. I am surprised that the DRC hasn't mentioned more about the Bahro. I have to assume that they may have more relevant information than the rest of us. However, it seems like they see the Bahro as something hat they can't hope to control, and are proceeding with business as usual. I'm not sure I can fault them for that.

TCT Stellaflora: But do you think they could be trying to UNDERSTAND them better?

J.D. Barnes: As trite as it may sound, I think we all should. Of course, we don't know if they are trying or not. But I think they'd be fools not to try. The Bahro are beyond our capabilities to deal with. Only by unravelling the puzzle that is the Bahro do we have a chance.
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Eleri: I've heard you speak bout the culture that is developing here in D'ni, can you maybe touch on what you're seeing, what you think is important to be aware of?

J.D. Barnes: Ah, one of my favorite subjects. In fact, my research isn't about the D'ni of the past, but the D'ni of the present. I think that what is happening in D'ni is a rare example of the formation of culture. Most human culture is an extension of the culture that preceeded it. However, here, we have members of several different global cultures converging on an environment that is essentially alien to all of us. Add into that the abilities that we find ourselves with - linking, D'ni technology, etc. We are experiencing a sort of 'bloom' of culture around completely new obsticles and factors unlike any in human history. Who knows what we will do with our new found vistas of exploration. Of course, that may be what worries the Bahro as well. Just what will we become as we travel across dimensions?

d'ni everything feels like sociology experiment
J.D. Barnes: d'ni everything, you aren't all that far off, I think.

rebus hopes to see an essay from Mr Barnes on the subjct
J.D. Barnes: Ah soon I hope to write something more formal on the subject, rebus. I feel like I've been 'pounding the pulpit' a lot lately. Not quite scholarly of me.
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Zen6219: Yeesha once said the Bahro would affect the restoration in ways others (the DRC?) might not like. Do you think that is one reason why the DRC and Cate fail to mention or recognize much regarding the Bahro?

J.D. Barnes: That's a difficult question. I'm not entirely certain what their motives are. I think that the DRC has a set of goals that only really include the Bahro in as much as the Bahro conflict with them. It may be that they simply feel they cannot do anything about the Bahro. I admit, I'm not sure what can be done either, until we determine more about them.
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Andrew Eldred: As far as the sociology experiment goes, do you feel that the presence of a controlling body (the DRC) corrupts the idea of observing subjects forming an entirely new culture on their own? I don't harbor any ill-will toward the DRC, but it seems to throw off the blank slate concept a bit.

J.D. Barnes: Andrew, I think that a controlling body is something that occurs in any culture at some point. The DRC are a part of our culture, for good or ill. People react to it and add to the culture. It's an error to assume, I think, that hierarchy or control impedes culture. Both are a part of culture.
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Cully Barger: Mr. Barnes, do you have any suggestions for a: encouraging contact with the Bahro and b: communicating with them if that contact is made?

J.D. Barnes: Encouraging contact? Unfortunately, no. I don't know what they are looking for, so I have no idea about how to bring them to the table, as it were. As for communicating with them, all I can say is use common sense. Don't be aggressive. Don't rely on words - use gestures. Remember that not all Bahro are identical. Dr. Watson mentioned that some can communciate more easily than others, just like us, in a way. Dr. Watson also said they respond to emotion. So be careful of getting frustrated or angry. And remember that the Bahro may be as worried or confused by us as we are of them. Overall, be careful.

Sydney Austin: What Gestures?

J.D. Barnes: whatever seems appropriate. Though I suggest that sticking your tongue out may not be seen as friendly.
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Finn Dove: Mr. Barnes, have you chosen a guild shirt and, if so, which one?

J.D. Barnes: I have not chosen a guild shirt yet. I'm not sure I am ready to join a guild. Though I think if I did, I'd wait for something like the Guild of Archivists.

Finn Dove: I was under the impression that choosing a shirt only showed support for the guild idea and did not make you a member?

J.D. Barnes: That's how I understand it. I have no support for any particular existing guild over any other.

Pryftan thinks the Watcher's Pub is good enough for Mr. Barnes..

J.D. Barnes: The Watcher's pub does provide a sort of neutral ground, doesn't it? It's a sort of "Guild of Explorers" Pub.
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TCT Stellaflora: If you were given the oppotunity to meet with a living D'ni, what would you ask? (assuming a means of translation as established)

J.D. Barnes: I'm required to ask only one thing? I'm not sure I'd be able to contain myself that way!

TCT Stellaflora: If you could ask however many questions as you wanted. smile.gif

J.D. Barnes: Well, that would be a volume in itself. I think I would start by asking them about their life, specifically. Everyone has a story. And every story is as important as any other.

Pryftan: No wonder you're so captivated with Echo.

J.D. Barnes: Yes, I find Echo particularly fascinating.
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Andrew Eldred: Some lighter fare: What does the "J" stand for?

J.D. Barnes: Andrew, John. Plain, I know. But it's what I have.

Andrew Eldred is so... under-whelmed.

J.D. Barnes: would J'ohn be better? On a tangent, have you ever noticed that few people her use their real names? That's a fascinating bit of cultural evidence. Another pointer to the fact that people are recreating culture here, rather than just adapting it. Anyway, I digress.
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TomahnaGuy: What would you say Phils current condition is? DO you think he means anything when he says "listen" or is it another part of his "maddness" ?

J.D. Barnes: It's hard to understand the mind of a mystic. Ineffability is a cornerstone of the concept. Of course, as someone who has primarily interacted with another species for years, these may be the concepts he's most familiar with. I think Phil is trying to communicate something he understands, but may not have words for. He doesn't seem irrational. Just obscure.
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Sydney Austin: What are your thought on the Guilds, good idea or bad? I think they should be disbanned. They are going to cause problems for the Explorers. What are your thoughts?

J.D. Barnes: I did address this a little earlier, but I'll expand on it. I think that people working together towards a common goal is a fine thing. It's how humanity has evolved. Organization and even, dare I say, hierarchy will result. They have their uses too. My concern is that we will be so eager to relive the D'ni culture that we will place that over our needs. The Guilds should reflect our needs and our character. And thus I think we shouldn't be afraid to take liberties with the concept.

Sydney Austin: Do you see pride as an issue?

J.D. Barnes: As much as any other issue we might have. I think we, as a populace, have become unhealthily obsessed with the evils of pride, however. I think pride in our accomplishments is valid, as long as it remains tempered with perspective.
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TCT Stellaflora: Just to recap and clarify, what exatly are you intentions and ambitions regarding the DRC and your place in the Community?

J.D. Barnes: I don't think I have any particular ambitions regarding the DRC. I appreciate their cooperation, of course. As for my place in the community, I plan to simply do what I always do. I ask questions, I make observations. Maybe I'll turn it into a few essays that will get me tenure at a nice university. I am flattered that people want to hear my opinion on things. Though I hope to hear other people's opinion as well.

JWPlatt: Glad to provide fodder for your personal advancement, Mr. Barnes. Heh

J.D. Barnes: One does have to pay attention to one's future, JW. The life of an explorer is bad for my back, so I have to stop sometime.
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Katva: have you been able to (or have any interest in ) study the Bahro culture, perhaps from pictographs?

J.D. Barnes: Katva, that is an interesting question. I'd jump at the chance to study Bahro cultures. I haven't made an extensive study of the pictographs yet. I do know there are members of the D'ni Linguistics Fellowship who have taken that on, so they may have insights there. Also, I know that ireenquench has lead tours of the pictographs. She might have interesting perspectives on them.
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Quelle: http://www.uruobsession.com/forum/index ... 636&st=180