Phase Q/Commentary
Politically speaking, the Flowriser revolution comes at a time when forces sit divided around a table with a cloth covering the important bits.
Even answers to which sides are sitting at the table, or which issues are on the table, remain somewhat elusive. We have here exhibit A, in which diehard Flowrisers promote clearly Triad-based solutions to social ills such as dreaming, dancing, and lovemaking. On the other side of the room, we see the same issues happening in reverse. And all of this simplifies the picture to the point of losing critical information. How many of our neighbors and friends adhere to no fixed ideology, one way or another?
We admittedly deal only with simplifications here, and yet these are useful simplifications. Through the lens of the Flowriser revolution, we can clearly see the makings of a shift in how people interact with each other. The resulting beliefs and functions define a different type of society, a new relationship among individuals.
One way forward would be for the Flowrisers to solidify their holdings, and engage in an organized campaign of deal-making. This breaks against the Flowriser way, if I may be so bold as to say so, yet would offer a win all around. On the other hand, we may see a return to the old warfare that has already cost us so dearly. This commentator for one wishes to avoid such an unfortunate fate.
On the Triad side of the fence, we see a greatly diminished force compared with just five short years ago. While classical strongholds such as the family and the defense forces have been gutted, we still see a position of strength in the territorial system of deeds and loans, undergirding a resilient business environment. I suggest to the Triad leadership that they consider forming a profitable alliance with representative Flowrisers, conceding their previous role as guardians of the peace in order to ensure a long and rewarding future for themselves and their kin.
What does this leave? Although we often give short shrift to the unaffiliated, let us not forget that most ordinary citizens have far less of a polar division than the highly dichroic format we see reported on in the blabberworks. I, too, share responsibility for that failing. To all of the undecideds, and those whose views may be too subtle for such a stark division, I recommend the sage advice of Xaltor the Ultradestroyer: “Pick a side. Live or die.”
Picking up the whole pie, it has a heft to it from the fatty ingredients that go in the dish: two parts ideologue, two parts character, and a healthy dose of uncertainty. Speaking to you tonight through my own small section of the blabberworks, I encourage the development of a fair and natural peace, and I bid you all a safe evening.
My parting shot? Life is like a bucket full of salty water. Take it one sip at a time, and think of all the other uses.
You lase the optobox in disgust. What a bunch of help they are.
Leaving your minipod, you go out for a flight. Through the skies surrounding the entry point, you float in and out of different airspaces. Occasionally a stray autolaser shoots at you, but in the course of all of your travels you’ve developed an extremely quick sense, and take evasive action.
Phase Q: An interactive adventure.
