(01-28-2015, 04:00 PM)Berrod Armstrong Wrote:(01-28-2015, 03:57 PM)Zhavi Wrote: Culture does not equate to species or race. Â Culture is usually more locative, though not necessarily (ex - some indigenous cultures in eastern russia and western alaska share more similarities than differences). Â All the same, the larger the disparity in place/local ecology/method of survival (nomadic cultures vs farming cultures etc) chances are the bigger the gap in cultures.While I would agree with this in general, if a fantasy universe defines a certain race by it's culture...I wouldn't really bother to disagree with it. What culture IS can change depending on how a world is crafted. I don't think this is what Square has done really, but it's something to note in terms of creating a whole world!
Culture is also the baseline of what everyone knows in terms of how they act around others and what they grew up believing. Â It defines certain behaviors. Â While, yes, as you get older you can choose to overrule some of these things, a lot of them stick with you. Â Were you taught that you should have a firm handshake? Â Look other people in the eyes when you talk to them? Â Greet people when you enter a room? Â Wish people well on an endeavor? Â Be comforting when someone you know is grieving? Â Those are all cultural, and there are a ton more. Â This is why diplomats are so important -- it can be terrifyingly easy to offend someone from a different culture without realizing it. Â Many cultures share similarities, true, and those similarities increase as globalization occurs, but just look back to first attempts at diplomacy between cultures to see how this wasn't the case (Lord Macartney's trip to China being a big one).
which is why I was like 'screw u square' and tossed just about everything written about keeper culture.
Saying a whole species is locked to one specific culture is bollocks. There is nothing else to support the fact that any of the species in this game is biologically locked to behaving in a certain way in any cultural sense. It's not done on purpose, it's because culture in most fantasy is a flavor footnote used to accomplish certain things plot wise. It should not become the guideline for how all members of that species should act -- especially when there are npcs in game who aren't wholly attached to that 'culture' thing.
edit - and just for clarification, I'm not angry or upset or anything. I just have very loud and boisterous opinions on this particular matter.
