FA+
Shop
19168
Views
Views
164
Favorites
Favorites
Category
Artwork (Digital) / Comics
Species Unspecified / Any
Size 900 x 2414
File Size 805.9 kB
Report this content
More from Valsalia
Listed in Folders
<<< PREV | FIRST | NEXT >>>
Genetically, modern humans are almost identical to our ancient counterparts; it's not a difference in evolution that has allowed us to grasp continuously more complex concepts, it's the accumulated knowledge that we have gathered and passed on. Without being saturated with that information from a young age, a person would only be as intelligent and knowledgeable as humans were well over 100,000 years ago.
Sure, yinglets may not have the same capacity for intellectual development as humans (as far as anyone knows), but the bigger issue is that their society has only recently moved out of the stage of basic survival, so they've hardly had the resources and manpower (yingletpower) to assign to things like studying and archiving the results.
Also, the problem that the elders are worried about is a common one, which has occurred on Earth every time that a more developed culture has met a less developed one. "Borrowing" things from the more advanced culture would allow the less developed one to develop quicker, but almost always results in their society becoming more like the one that developed the information in question.
Genetically, modern humans are almost identical to our ancient counterparts; it's not a difference in evolution that has allowed us to grasp continuously more complex concepts, it's the accumulated knowledge that we have gathered and passed on. Without being saturated with that information from a young age, a person would only be as intelligent and knowledgeable as humans were well over 100,000 years ago.
Sure, yinglets may not have the same capacity for intellectual development as humans (as far as anyone knows), but the bigger issue is that their society has only recently moved out of the stage of basic survival, so they've hardly had the resources and manpower (yingletpower) to assign to things like studying and archiving the results.
Also, the problem that the elders are worried about is a common one, which has occurred on Earth every time that a more developed culture has met a less developed one. "Borrowing" things from the more advanced culture would allow the less developed one to develop quicker, but almost always results in their society becoming more like the one that developed the information in question.
Category Artwork (Digital) / Comics
Species Unspecified / Any
Size 900 x 2414px
File Size 805.9 kB
Listed in Folders
Logically, it makes perfect sense! On the other hand, try convincing mid-1800's Native Americans that they'd be better off adopting more Western knowledge and values. It's not an easy task, especially when the more advanced culture has spent a lot of time looking down on yours. Especially especially when they are also capable of punting you across the street.
Nova the yinglet: "In my whole life I have never met a yinglet so similar to me. I know how Vizlet feels. Every time I would go ze leaders of my enclave wiz ideas to help ze yinglets zey would turn me down and even make fun me. Its ze reason I ran away... Oh dear, I zink I may be in love wiz Vizlet."
You know what, I think I have this same argument that Vizlet had with the elders about mingling with other cultures of certain character societies. The main problem they (both the elders and the person I talked to) have with other cultures sharing with one another is that they're afraid of being assimilated into the culture rather than developing their own. However, I think our other countries and continents are proof that sharing with each other doesn't destroy their own culture.
The Yinglet taste in food stuffs reminds me of the Newcomers species from the old movie Alien Nation and how they loved drinking sour/rotten milk like its a fine wine. It's always hard trying new things, Kass, especially new foods. Let alone foods that Yinglets find appealing.
The Elder's worries of cultural assimilation is a valid point. History has many a testimony to just how often that happens. In some cases its a lesser extent and the lesser culture still manages to create their own identity while still benefiting from the more developed cultures. However, most often the lesser culture is absorbed into the more developed one to the point of cultural dissolution.
Vizlet surprises me more. Her past and her motivations are quite noble, if a bit lofty given as she pointed out the relatively young age of her people. I can see how one so ambitious and level headed as herself managed to rise to the position of matriarch. If enough of her influence grows prominent among other enclaves she has a chance to create something truly unique for her people. But it will be an uphill battle, in a world where Yinglets are not universally looked upon as equal members of society. Still I wish her luck with the undertaking of her epic quest. And now that she has informed Kass of her beginnings and of her goals. I am left wondering as how she intends to achieve them. Does she simply intend to expand her enclave's collection of knowledge and resources through trade with House Ivenmoth of Val Salia? And thus allow her Yinglets to learn, grow and develop. What are her plans for Kass and her new knowledge of her former being as a human? Will she still be encouraging any kind of carnal rendezvous for Kass and one of the patriarchs, in hopes that Kass's being a former human may pass on some more desirable traits to any offspring and help build a stronger generation. If so, how will Kass feel about such a proposition? And given Kass's showing of more Yinglet behavior, will Kass have to deal with more Yinglet starting to come to the surface as time goes on, like say a biological imperative about passing on their genes? I am curious if Yinglet females go through an estrus cycle like other creatures do or are they more like humans being fertile nearly year round. Oh such an experience would surely be interesting for Kass. I am also left wondering how many, if any, of the enclave share a blood relation to Vizlet? Does she have any offspring of her own? Are any of the other enclave gals her daughters, or were they adopted into Vizlet's enclave?
Also I do hope that Lippie has gotten her hug from what we've see she does seem one of the more softspoken Yinglets. She still looks a bit shaken up after Vizlet's impromptu outburst and if not Vizlet still owes her one. And if Vizlet doesn't I'll be glad to give her a hug and a fresh baked cookie. How do Yinglets feel about cookies?
The Elder's worries of cultural assimilation is a valid point. History has many a testimony to just how often that happens. In some cases its a lesser extent and the lesser culture still manages to create their own identity while still benefiting from the more developed cultures. However, most often the lesser culture is absorbed into the more developed one to the point of cultural dissolution.
Vizlet surprises me more. Her past and her motivations are quite noble, if a bit lofty given as she pointed out the relatively young age of her people. I can see how one so ambitious and level headed as herself managed to rise to the position of matriarch. If enough of her influence grows prominent among other enclaves she has a chance to create something truly unique for her people. But it will be an uphill battle, in a world where Yinglets are not universally looked upon as equal members of society. Still I wish her luck with the undertaking of her epic quest. And now that she has informed Kass of her beginnings and of her goals. I am left wondering as how she intends to achieve them. Does she simply intend to expand her enclave's collection of knowledge and resources through trade with House Ivenmoth of Val Salia? And thus allow her Yinglets to learn, grow and develop. What are her plans for Kass and her new knowledge of her former being as a human? Will she still be encouraging any kind of carnal rendezvous for Kass and one of the patriarchs, in hopes that Kass's being a former human may pass on some more desirable traits to any offspring and help build a stronger generation. If so, how will Kass feel about such a proposition? And given Kass's showing of more Yinglet behavior, will Kass have to deal with more Yinglet starting to come to the surface as time goes on, like say a biological imperative about passing on their genes? I am curious if Yinglet females go through an estrus cycle like other creatures do or are they more like humans being fertile nearly year round. Oh such an experience would surely be interesting for Kass. I am also left wondering how many, if any, of the enclave share a blood relation to Vizlet? Does she have any offspring of her own? Are any of the other enclave gals her daughters, or were they adopted into Vizlet's enclave?
Also I do hope that Lippie has gotten her hug from what we've see she does seem one of the more softspoken Yinglets. She still looks a bit shaken up after Vizlet's impromptu outburst and if not Vizlet still owes her one. And if Vizlet doesn't I'll be glad to give her a hug and a fresh baked cookie. How do Yinglets feel about cookies?
I think at this point Kass's reaction, initial at the very very least, to "such a proposition" would be something along the lines of http://youtu.be/zdILyCB-OBg
Great point in the second line about holding onto cultural identity while assimilating. And yes, Vizlet certainly has her work cut out for her, as it would be incredibly difficult to achieve what she's hoping for without problems or compromises along the way.
And while Vizlet more or less retired from regularly-scheduled reproduction, she was as "active" before becoming Matriarch as any other female, and still occasionally partakes in the process. A fair fraction of the Val Salian yinglet population was produced by her, as well as around a quarter of the current females. Yinglet societies raise their young more as a society than by specific parents though, so few have a strong connection to whoever donated their genes in the process.
As for what part she's hoping Kass will play in all this... that remains to be seen!
And while Vizlet more or less retired from regularly-scheduled reproduction, she was as "active" before becoming Matriarch as any other female, and still occasionally partakes in the process. A fair fraction of the Val Salian yinglet population was produced by her, as well as around a quarter of the current females. Yinglet societies raise their young more as a society than by specific parents though, so few have a strong connection to whoever donated their genes in the process.
As for what part she's hoping Kass will play in all this... that remains to be seen!
This brings up an interesting thought. Are the 'ideals' Vizlet brings up 'human' ones, or are they just abstract ideas that always existed, that humans just discovered and harnessed over time? Science, law and what have you, don't change because a different species practices them. There's really no sense trying to reinvent the wheel when your neighbors already have the automobile.
Cutting right to the heart of the matter! While a concept itself might be an impartial thing, the species/culture that discovered and harnessed it will likely have developed their own understanding/execution/flavor of the idea, which can often be hard to separate from the core idea!
ahhh, more fun out of placers! it's been so long! but it's true! look at any third world country, like african savannahs, or brazilian rainforrests, no matter how obscure, there's...colorful T shirts, and various traces of modern peoples. I guess int's inevitable! but then, sharing knowledge is how a single culture advances! it's only natural that other cultures share between them!
perhaps a prime directive approach could be integrated...ie...control WHAT is shared. instead of a freeflow, that the culture isn't ready for yet.
perhaps a prime directive approach could be integrated...ie...control WHAT is shared. instead of a freeflow, that the culture isn't ready for yet.
Yeahhh, that's what it all comes down to; how to get the most out of established ideas without diluting one's identity.
But still, until fairly recently in Earth's history, racial/cultural/national purity has been understood to be "the way things are." Expand one's own, overtake all others.
But still, until fairly recently in Earth's history, racial/cultural/national purity has been understood to be "the way things are." Expand one's own, overtake all others.
It really does come down to exactly how the two (or more) cultures interact with each other, every different combination providing distinctly different results. Going in and uplifting less "developed" societies is rare, a more militarily-developed nation steamrolling over a weaker one is plenty common, but most just clash and stretch against each other a whole lot.
A good example is India under British rule; while nobody will really argue that it was a fantastic thing for India, the Brits did force out a few traditions that were distinctly counterproductive to society, such as the custom of a window being thrown into her deceased husband's funeral pyre. This quote from Charles Napier illustrates the situation pretty well:
"Be it so. This burning of widows is your custom; prepare the funeral pile. But my nation has also a custom. When men burn women alive we hang them, and confiscate all their property. My carpenters shall therefore erect gibbets on which to hang all concerned when the widow is consumed. Let us all act according to national customs."
A good example is India under British rule; while nobody will really argue that it was a fantastic thing for India, the Brits did force out a few traditions that were distinctly counterproductive to society, such as the custom of a window being thrown into her deceased husband's funeral pyre. This quote from Charles Napier illustrates the situation pretty well:
"Be it so. This burning of widows is your custom; prepare the funeral pile. But my nation has also a custom. When men burn women alive we hang them, and confiscate all their property. My carpenters shall therefore erect gibbets on which to hang all concerned when the widow is consumed. Let us all act according to national customs."
this has the perfect example of why i love reading your comic so much. the 6th panel with the tower of humans vs. tower of yinglets has so DEEP meaning ful dialog and ideas that go beyond just plot development. but shows just how much you worked on this universe and why things are the way they are in it.
I just love the Matriarch, she is extremely intelligent for a yinglet (even smart by human standards) and it shows just how much she understands about the growth of her race, and how best to take care of not just her clan, but ALL yinglets.
I just love the Matriarch, she is extremely intelligent for a yinglet (even smart by human standards) and it shows just how much she understands about the growth of her race, and how best to take care of not just her clan, but ALL yinglets.
A single specimen being highly intelligent and both species of Yinglets and Humans having specimens of low intelligence, particularly when left to grow up alone, doesn't mean Yinglets as a whole have the kind of average intelligence needed to reach Human's level of civilisation, though.
Eyy, I'm glad you're enjoying it! I am specifically aiming to balance the entertainment/seriousness factor in this story, so that's great to hear.
And don't worry, Lippie gets lots of attention. She just lives in a state of high tension, and the events of this day are definitely not helping with that.
And don't worry, Lippie gets lots of attention. She just lives in a state of high tension, and the events of this day are definitely not helping with that.
This bares an interesting similarity to 19th century Fudel Japan scramblimg (and succeeding) to catch up to European technology and development in the twentieth century.
Looks like the matriarch is interested in building the great yinglet library ... just don't build it too close to that food store that apparently keeps catching on fire.
Looks like the matriarch is interested in building the great yinglet library ... just don't build it too close to that food store that apparently keeps catching on fire.
Whoa, that knowledge pyramid is actually a really symbol for a lot of modern society.
Think of any famous person, they usually are building on the support of numerous other people to get to where they are, both current people helping their skills (presidents supported by people who know how to run transport, medical services, etc.), or on things learned by previous generations (any scientist, farmer, or anyone in a skilled profession).
Isaac Newton once said that he stood on the shoulder of giants to make what he made, yet his work has been built on so much that in modern times we see what he created as basic scientific principals.
Think of any famous person, they usually are building on the support of numerous other people to get to where they are, both current people helping their skills (presidents supported by people who know how to run transport, medical services, etc.), or on things learned by previous generations (any scientist, farmer, or anyone in a skilled profession).
Isaac Newton once said that he stood on the shoulder of giants to make what he made, yet his work has been built on so much that in modern times we see what he created as basic scientific principals.
Brings up a fair point, by themselves I imagine Yinglets would 'eventually' reach "modern" human levels of knowledge and technology, but at a much slower rate than without our aid, or without someone like Vizlet.
If they didn't become extinct before then. :/
But it is curious, how would Yinglet adapt with more general knowledge and better technology? :o Hmm :|
If they didn't become extinct before then. :/
But it is curious, how would Yinglet adapt with more general knowledge and better technology? :o Hmm :|
Just found this comic four days ago and have already ready it three times. X) It's absolutely delightful!
I wanted to ask, though... How did Vizlet manage to travel and accumulate her knowledge, given the species' high degree of protectiveness over females? According to other pages, female Yinglets are rarely, if ever, seen outside... Even by males of the species. So, how did Vizlet get out from under that figurative cultural thumb? Especially if she hadn't yet accrued the respect that led to her receiving the title of Matriarch, I couldn't see her having done any of this without some hefty disapproval from the rest of her tribe/conclave.
I wanted to ask, though... How did Vizlet manage to travel and accumulate her knowledge, given the species' high degree of protectiveness over females? According to other pages, female Yinglets are rarely, if ever, seen outside... Even by males of the species. So, how did Vizlet get out from under that figurative cultural thumb? Especially if she hadn't yet accrued the respect that led to her receiving the title of Matriarch, I couldn't see her having done any of this without some hefty disapproval from the rest of her tribe/conclave.
It's very honorable of Vizlet to gain and use knowledge to try to further her society in the world. Sometimes, though, I wonder where all this learning and advancement in knowledge leads us. Because I believe with new ideas brings new problems that need to be fixed, so it's a never-ending cycle.
Knowledge is powerful and valuable, but it can bring on some terrible things. We found a way for more efficient travel: the car. Now, we have global warming. I think Ian Malcolm said it best when he said, "Your scientist were so preoccupied with whether they could, they didn't stop to think whether or not they should."
Knowledge is powerful and valuable, but it can bring on some terrible things. We found a way for more efficient travel: the car. Now, we have global warming. I think Ian Malcolm said it best when he said, "Your scientist were so preoccupied with whether they could, they didn't stop to think whether or not they should."
I actually really like this concept. First time posting on your story by the way.
I'm a huge fan of the Avali species and their culture/advancement, so seeing a young yet primitive species (Avali are younger than humans but somewhat more advanced than them) is interesting.
I've also noticed that there may be an issue with how fast the Yinglet's are maturing, some groups of Yinglets may be left behind in the advancement of others or the majority, additionally it is also interesting to see that some are willing to forgo cultural development (and even preservation) in order to uplift the species as a whole and protect it from becoming stuck under humanity's thumb.
I'm a huge fan of the Avali species and their culture/advancement, so seeing a young yet primitive species (Avali are younger than humans but somewhat more advanced than them) is interesting.
I've also noticed that there may be an issue with how fast the Yinglet's are maturing, some groups of Yinglets may be left behind in the advancement of others or the majority, additionally it is also interesting to see that some are willing to forgo cultural development (and even preservation) in order to uplift the species as a whole and protect it from becoming stuck under humanity's thumb.
Comments