Poem: "In Good Cause"

[ysabetwordsmith]

This poem came out of the November 1, 2011 Poetry Fishbowl.  It was inspired by laffingkat and sponsored by janetmiles.

It belongs to the Ocracies series, and you can find the other poems through the Serial Poetry page.  Ironically, I could not find a named form of government focused on happiness, well-being, good, or humor -- although there were plenty about evil

Comments

[janetmiles]

I could see wanting to live in a bonarchy. I can also see "but is it good for the horses" as being a not-unreasonable question, because if it's bad for the horses, there's a good chance it's bad for the environment in general.

Yes...

[ysabetwordsmith]

Precisely. Pelip is inland and mostly grass. The wealth and power of the culture lies in the horses. They're just more sensible about acknowledging that than historic horseclans have been. What's good for the horses is good for the environment, and generally good for people as long as folks aren't trying to, say, take over the world or suck up all the money. You get a pretty good situation that's pretty consistent, and works for most people most of the time

Yes...

[ysabetwordsmith]

>>I'd like to live in a Bonocracy. Sounds like a nice place.<<

So would I.

>>I had to look up Hamarchy, and I'm still not sure I entirely get the concept. Sounds sort of like maybe some sort of idealized fusion of anarchy, socialism, and democracy?... )

Re: Yes...

[ysabetwordsmith]

>>OK, that's about the conception I had of a Hamarchy. It's different enough from anything I've looked into before that I was having trouble coming up with the right descriptors for it, though.<<

Yes. It's not easily summarized.

>>That seems to happen a lot over here. I like it, keeps me learning new things :) <<

Yay! That's one of my goals as a writer. I love it when people let me know it's working, and especially, when they seek out my writing because of it.

Then too, you folks have the same effect on me. Tuesday, I went pawing through half-remembered alchemical lore to refine the framework for "The Steamsmith" and "The Four Humours."

>> And yeah, the Hippocracy's approach does make sense, but if you're not used to that perspective, there's a serious moment of "wait, what?" <<

Heh, yeah. But I think all the governments have an aspect of that when viewed from someone else's perspective. The base assumptions and values are just so different, they always tend to make people shake their heads at each other.

[aldersprig]

I am intrigued by the concept of a Bonocracy, at least; it reminds me of "hedonistic calculus," a concept I fell in love with in college and found really, really tricky to put into practice.

(It does not work all that well as a dating strategy ;-)

[aldersprig]

(icon <3<3)

It's been a long time since I read up on in - freshman year of college, in a year that started with 19-. But that would, indeed, make a lovely album title. :-D

[laffingkat]

Yay, glad this was sponsored. There are aspects I like about each country described so far, and I love that each works pretty well, but wackiness ensues when they interact. Vive la différence!

And exhaustion in good cause can be a really nice feeling. :)

Thank you!

[ysabetwordsmith]

>> There are aspects I like about each country described so far, and I love that each works pretty well, but wackiness ensues when they interact. Vive la différence! <<

Yes, those are my favorite parts about this series too. Everyone has a piece of the truth.

>> And exhaustion in good cause can be a really nice feeling.<<

Satisfaction in a job well done, yes.