Greetings,
This is petition or the initialization of a movement to address the misnamed civilization which Ram Tah has titled Guardians. This is from his Language 4 entry.
"Language 4: From the data packet you’ve discovered here I’ve gained a sense of a very cooperative society – one in which all elements worked in unison towards a common purpose. I also believe they shared an expectation of mutual protection. I’m still delving into these mysteries, but I believe ‘Guardians’ would be a good name for this species."
There is a few things I find appalling about this word given as a name to this civilization. To us the word has a pretty specific connotation and to some it even gives off the feeling of a strong protectorate. Miriam-Webster defines the word as such:
"Definition of guardian
1 : one that guards : custodian
2 : a superior of a Franciscan monastery
3 : one who has the care of the person or property of another
— guardianship play \ˈgär-dē-ən-ˌship\ noun"
If we were to take the whole of Ram Tah's language 4 entry, it seemingly scrapes the definition. But If you were to take the whole of the engineer's work, you would see that this civilization was NOT it's brother's keeper. In fact if you were to take language entry 4 alone on its own, is that not what a government and its citizens are expected to do anyways? Why not call it "the government" or "the cooperative" or "the unity"? I think those nouns would be more suitably aligned with the guardian's ethos. But no that would be silly as well.
To be honest I think FDEV jumped the gun when they named their release "The Guardians", as now with the new "guardian" revelations, I believe this was to be the title of the drones & AIs used to combat the Thargoids. That's just a hypothetical speculation... Otherwise I'd have to believe the team has a horrible naming convention.
But that is a meta gaming complaint and the issue should be fixed in game. So first let's address who in game get to name this civilization. Certainly Ram Tah is not at the top of the list! For should not a civilization have a right to name itself? Yes, this should be our first source of a proper name. And seeing that we are able to interpret their nomadic ancient ways, I believe finding the proper name would be an a sizable feat.
But perhaps they did not go around calling themselves "humans" as we certainly don't go around calling our friend Bob by his race... Though I could argue I've been called by my nationality before. And Brits have called Americans, Americans, and vice versa. So that brings me to next best naming technique; location! Yes, if we cannot distinguish what they called themselves as a race or nationality, then location should be our next major indication. What did they call their planet? What was their most famous city. Perhaps even by the sector of space! Synufians! Or dare I say Regorians?
If these two conventional naming method just do not hold, should the task then fall upon the shoulders of a single holed up engineer? I say NAY! Let us ask the first finder- for if one man should have the right and privilege to name a civilization then that man should be the explorer who brought to light this darkened civilization. Or perhaps if we must name this civilization, then it should be in honor of such a man. Lo' here lie "The Deathians", whom avarice brought them to the realm of God, and by their own creation they've been smited. Certainly their fascination with the dead could warrant such a proper and great name!
Perhaps that is too much? Maybe, but more proper. And if say that a name must be given to this civilization, and that not one man should hold such honor, then should not the exploration and archaeology community (and the rest of the players) have the right to vote on what utterance trespasses their lips?
I say, we demand the proper name of this civilization in what they had in their own terms, and if that is not plausible, then we demand an official vote. And if none official takes place, then we as a community can certainly influence that. In our voice, and writing we have the power to right this transgression!
Respectfully,
-Yure "El Duque" Rodriguez
This is petition or the initialization of a movement to address the misnamed civilization which Ram Tah has titled Guardians. This is from his Language 4 entry.
"Language 4: From the data packet you’ve discovered here I’ve gained a sense of a very cooperative society – one in which all elements worked in unison towards a common purpose. I also believe they shared an expectation of mutual protection. I’m still delving into these mysteries, but I believe ‘Guardians’ would be a good name for this species."
There is a few things I find appalling about this word given as a name to this civilization. To us the word has a pretty specific connotation and to some it even gives off the feeling of a strong protectorate. Miriam-Webster defines the word as such:
"Definition of guardian
1 : one that guards : custodian
2 : a superior of a Franciscan monastery
3 : one who has the care of the person or property of another
— guardianship play \ˈgär-dē-ən-ˌship\ noun"
If we were to take the whole of Ram Tah's language 4 entry, it seemingly scrapes the definition. But If you were to take the whole of the engineer's work, you would see that this civilization was NOT it's brother's keeper. In fact if you were to take language entry 4 alone on its own, is that not what a government and its citizens are expected to do anyways? Why not call it "the government" or "the cooperative" or "the unity"? I think those nouns would be more suitably aligned with the guardian's ethos. But no that would be silly as well.
To be honest I think FDEV jumped the gun when they named their release "The Guardians", as now with the new "guardian" revelations, I believe this was to be the title of the drones & AIs used to combat the Thargoids. That's just a hypothetical speculation... Otherwise I'd have to believe the team has a horrible naming convention.
But that is a meta gaming complaint and the issue should be fixed in game. So first let's address who in game get to name this civilization. Certainly Ram Tah is not at the top of the list! For should not a civilization have a right to name itself? Yes, this should be our first source of a proper name. And seeing that we are able to interpret their nomadic ancient ways, I believe finding the proper name would be an a sizable feat.
But perhaps they did not go around calling themselves "humans" as we certainly don't go around calling our friend Bob by his race... Though I could argue I've been called by my nationality before. And Brits have called Americans, Americans, and vice versa. So that brings me to next best naming technique; location! Yes, if we cannot distinguish what they called themselves as a race or nationality, then location should be our next major indication. What did they call their planet? What was their most famous city. Perhaps even by the sector of space! Synufians! Or dare I say Regorians?
If these two conventional naming method just do not hold, should the task then fall upon the shoulders of a single holed up engineer? I say NAY! Let us ask the first finder- for if one man should have the right and privilege to name a civilization then that man should be the explorer who brought to light this darkened civilization. Or perhaps if we must name this civilization, then it should be in honor of such a man. Lo' here lie "The Deathians", whom avarice brought them to the realm of God, and by their own creation they've been smited. Certainly their fascination with the dead could warrant such a proper and great name!
Perhaps that is too much? Maybe, but more proper. And if say that a name must be given to this civilization, and that not one man should hold such honor, then should not the exploration and archaeology community (and the rest of the players) have the right to vote on what utterance trespasses their lips?
I say, we demand the proper name of this civilization in what they had in their own terms, and if that is not plausible, then we demand an official vote. And if none official takes place, then we as a community can certainly influence that. In our voice, and writing we have the power to right this transgression!
Respectfully,
-Yure "El Duque" Rodriguez
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