revenance_comms | Technology is Fun

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Technology is Fun - 001 [Audio]

Good day, my name is Jeeves. I am given to understand this device has some extraordinary broadcasting ability akin to a radio or television, but with multi-way communicative properties. I have been here only a short time and require some assistance, for which I will gladly work in trade.

I have created one of the creatures known as a spirit. I have been led to believe that the animal serves some useful function as protection in this realm against nightmares of a similar build, but alternate coloration. The Komory Bat now in my possession defies all training and disciplinary methods with which I am familiar for service animals. I would deeply appreciate some instruction on their care and control. It has taken to fluttering around me in a highly distracting way. Thank you.

I have also been informed this device has some archival function. If it may be accessed readily, I should like to know how.

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Democracies seem most common. Some I spoke with knew of monarchies in other countries, but they were not themselves so ruled. Of course, I have not discussed the matter with everyone.

Speaking from personal experience, there are currently some democratic nations on my own planet, but monarchies still outnumber them greatly. Equestria is the only diarchy, though the dragons do keep a sort of ruling council.

You use the term "free world". Is there a portion of your world that is not free?

I use the phrase it in a metaphorical sense, madam. There are countries in my world where they have yet to achieve industrialization or an education system of sufficient quality to raise them to this level. Knowledge breeds freedom from poverty, disease, and ignorance, would you not say?

Industrialization?

[It's not a word she's unfamiliar with, but to have it so tied to quality of life is quite odd to her. Maybe he's using it in a different way.]

Education is quite important, certainly, but what precisely do you mean by industrializing?

Are you familiar with an agrarian-style of living, madam? The main driver of the economy, and indeed people's lives, in such a setting is farming. Industrialization is a shift away from this to a manufacturing-based economy and a reliance on advanced technology. Where a blacksmith on his own might be able to produce only 10 horseshoes in a day, an industrial operation would create hundreds or thousands depending on the size of the operation. This would allow a blacksmith to expand his practice, increase his capital and workforce, and generally find himself in a better living situation than previously. He might find time, as well, to pursue other interests and activities beyond his primary occupation - education, for instance.

The same might be said to happen with a farmer. Where it would take a single farmer an entire day to plow and sow a large field, industrial machinery made affordable by rapid and cheap material and construction costs would allow him to perform the same operation in half or even a quarter of the time.

In short, industrialization allows persons who might otherwise find themselves tasked with significant toil for a particular activity to increase their efficiency while decreasing their costs and time-requirements. This allows them greater freedom for other pursuits, a reduction in injury risk associated with certain activities, and generally a greater overall net income.

[You asked, Luna. Since he's trying to make a point about its benefits, he'll leave out the detriments of an industrialized society for now.]

Hm, of course. Yours is one of the human worlds which lacks magic.

[Because while she does see his point, Equestria has no need for a number of great dirty factories. It isn't just unicorn magic either - she can't imagine a family of Earth pony farmers taking an entire day for just one field. Imagine what the Apples would do then!]

They do tend to rely heavily on advanced technology. [Much more advanced that what he seems aware of.] How old is your nation?

[As that seems to be a statement rather than a question about magic, Jeeves simply nods.]

That is a somewhat complicated question to answer, madam. My native land of England has existed as a political state for some 1,000 years. Its precise geographical boundaries and the interplay of political governance and rule has shifted in that time, however. Great Britain, the broader term for my nation as it encompasses all lands ruled by His Majesty, has existed for a little over 200 years.

May I inquire as to how long you have guided your nation?

[Visible hesitation, because THAT is a complicated question and really why does she allow herself to enter these conversations?]

Slightly less than 2000 years. [Well, Celestia has anyway. It's easier to say that.] Previously it was under the rule of the usurper Discord.

[Jeeves blinks slowly, gaze sizing up the mare again.]

You have aged far more gracefully than the human royalty I know, madam.

[Indeed, she's aged more gracefully than any human he knows period.]

Is such an extended lifespan common in your native realm?

[He'll come back around to the 'usurper' in a moment, but this seems important to establish.]

Not at all. It is characteristic of alicorns - those both winged and horned - and we are but few.

I see, madam. [He at least has a name for what she is now.] I am honored to be speaking with a mare who has lived more life times than I can possibly imagine, then. [Jeeves inclines his head in deference. Whether her wisdom equals her age has yet to be determined.]

Why do you call the previous ruler a usurper, though? Did he wrest control of your home from you and your family?

Neigh, from the previous Council. The three pony tribes had only recently united then; 'twould never have done to have a single ruler from one, and alicorns were but a myth in that day.

Discord is...I suppose 'tis accurate to call him a spirit of chaos. Ruling a kingdom was not truly what he desired; he simply wanted the land and ponies to serve as his playthings. Even now he is not gone, simply frozen in stone.

[Except now Celestia says she's let him out. Luna just really likes to pretend that maybe when she gets back she can stop that from happening.]

You routed the gentleman. [Or... gentlestallion? Jeeves isn't certain of the proper verbiage in this case.] It sounds a most admirable endeavor to free your realm from such a creature's grasp, madam. If he was truly a spirit of chaos, though, how did you manage such a feat? Are alicorns akin to spirits of harmony, in turn?

My sister and I wielded the Elements of Harmony between us. 'Tis they that exemplify harmony. Anyone with the correct virtues can wield them, not simply alicorns; two of their current bearers are here with us.

We have been seeking them of late, as it happens. Or their dream counterparts... [She waves a hoof. The fact that she, dream-princess, cannot explain any of this properly continues to irk her.]

I see. What virtues exemplify harmony in your world, madam? And who might the current bearers be? I should like to assist in their return if they are such powerful artifacts.

[Jeeves has some thoughts about harmony. Diplomacy, wisdom, temperance, diligence, and patience come immediately to mind. All are most admirable traits likely to enhance unity and overall harmony when properly applied.]

Miss Rarity bears Generosity, and Pinkie Pie bears Laughter. If you have not met her yet, I imagine you shall before too long. Simply eat what she gives you and smile. The other elements are Magic, Loyalty, Honesty, and Kindness.

[All of those make some measure of sense given the magic on her world. All except one.]

Laughter, madam? I was not aware the was a quality someone might possess. Might it more readily understood as good humor?

Edited 2014-01-19 07:14 (UTC)

[Shrug]

That is its name, though you may understand its qualities that way if you wish. You will understand when you meet her.

I look forward to the opportunity, then, madam. [He doesn't particularly given what he knows of women given over to the frivolities of life in his own experience.]

Thank you for your ready assistance. [He goes to place his hand over his heart for a fuller bow to royalty, but his Komory Bat chooses that moment to latch onto his arm. Jeeves closes his eyes and breathes deeply for a moment before moving the arm to a holding position, akin to what a falconer might do when carrying his birds about. The animal squeaks happily and scuttles up to his shoulder to rest. Jeeves tolerates it while the visual is on, dropping his arm back to his side.]

I do not wish to take advantage of your generosity with your time, madam. I am eager for the opportunity to learn more and be of assistance. Perhaps I shall see you in Ponyville soon.

Indeed. I look forward to it. Fare thee well.

[He seems a decent sort of human, if rather different from most of the ones she knows. Perhaps it's simply because he's not military. In a place like this, that's even more of a reason for Luna to keep an eye out for him.]

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Technology is Fun - 001 [Audio]

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[visual] And then I had to make something up because that's a term about 20 years too early... /)_(\

[visual] oh nooooooo

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