A Want for Understanding in Corrosive Mentality.
By London Oscuro
Once there was a race of people who could drink each other's words.
They did not speak as humans do, but through their saliva. Their throats did not adapt to produce sound, but to alter the structure of their spit in order to communicate. Humans could not understand him, nor could they understand humans, but the two never met. So the people were happy to talk to each other as they did, by exchanging saliva and drinking it.
Normally, the people would drool into cups and then exchange them. This method of communication was, for them, polite. It was impersonal, requiring no touching, only that the speaking party has something to hold their words. This method was not perfect, however, as it also bred miscommunication, words from previous conversations, sometimes even from other people, mixing into what they wished to say. It was difficult to clean out the cup each time they spoke to someone, and carrying many cups was simply too impractical for anyone to do it.
Thus, when the people wished to communicate in its most pure form, without worrying about miscommunication, about their words becoming clouded with words meant for others, they would kiss. This held a much deeper meaning to them than it does to us, as not only was it a form of intimate personal contact, but it also allowed them to know each other’s most true thoughts. Two people could come to understand each other more deeply in two seconds than a human might understand someone in several years. The people reserved this way of talking only for the person most dear to them, since such an intimate method of communication should not be taken lightly.
The people continued with this method for many years, believing they had no other option. They built cities and their own civilization, living together and talking to one another without questioning it. As their population grew, though, they became dissatisfied. They soon realized that their way of life was incredibly limiting, restricting them to talking to one person at a time. They realized that their leaders had only ever been heard by a dozen or so out of the thousands, that their leaders would hear none of the people below them. They realized there was no chance for the rest of them to be heard, that their words would be forever confined to the small group of people around them.
Despite this, the feelings of the people eventually made their way up. The leaders too felt isolated, as even they wanted to hear the voices of others. They admitted that they felt trapped in their ivory towers, and said that they wanted to come down and see what the people below had to say. Their leaders decided to create a solution. After much deliberation, the leaders sitting in a circle and exchanging their cups, they finally reached a conclusion on what they were going to do. The leaders, who had all (but one, who sat out) agreed to say the same thing through their saliva, all poured their drool into the same vat. They then mixed it together, so that the people could not tell which person said it. In this way, the leaders could be unified, and the people could all hear their words.
Their idea worked wonderfully. While it took a bit for all of the people to catch on, the words of their leaders soon spread to every common person in their civilization. The people felt enlightened, they felt united, hearing the voices of many all saying the same thing. It filled their souls with joy, knowing that the people above them were so wise and clever to have thought of such a thing. The concoction distributed by their leaders was like a brilliant orchestra to them, full of sound and life that made one’s heart full and satisfied.
With time, however, the people once again grew dissatisfied. They had heard their leaders’ words, found them to be filled with hope and promises- but what did that all mean? Some of the more determined formed coalitions, hoping to send their own words to the rulers. It was agreed that they would all ask the same questions, as the leaders had all made the same statement. Agreeing on what questions to ask soon became more of an issue than anticipated, though, and they began to argue. Some people felt that their idea had been unfairly discarded, while others were frustrated by their peers’ lack of introspection.
One of the debaters had an idea. They suggested that all of those arguing combine their spit in the vat, but do not try to say the same thing. Once mixed, those present would be able to drink the ideas of all the parties involved, with similar ideas presenting themselves most strongly. They would all be able to speak at once, their opinions equal, without fear. The true outliers would learn their place while coming to understand the views of the whole.
Those present agreed reluctantly, each taking a turn to fill a cup with their saliva before pouring it into a vat. They were more hesitant than their leaders, discouraged by their lack of unity. If the unintentional mixing of thoughts had caused them so many problems, why would doing it on purpose be any different? Yet eventually the vat was filled, and all of their words were mixed together into a single conglomerate.
The people were shocked to discover that the plan had worked. It seemed that when the words had a target and goal in mind, their meaning carried even when mixed. They were able to understand each other, find a common ground, and give everyone an equal opportunity to present themselves. They yet again felt enlightened, elated that they were able to enact such a wonderful plan. The liquid had become a collage, communicating so many ideas in such a beautiful way. They thought it was groundbreaking. It was decided, then, that once they would send their leaders two vats: one containing their grievances and the other explaining their discovery.
Once they received their messages, the leaders were shocked. Never before had they considered that the lower class could create such a wonderful invention. They replied quickly in awe, saying that they would take the council's thoughts into consideration. A peace had been reached, the people feeling comfort in knowing that their leaders could hear them. Reassured by the establishment of communication, the council became more well known and widely accepted. The people began to form many different groups, all wishing to communicate with the leaders.
To keep up with the new exchange of vats- which had started growing larger as the groups they represented did- many were hired to manage the trade, ration them out to the people and maintain the flow of information. Such work was very lonely, being able to see the whole world communicate but not being allowed to do so themselves. They kept quiet, though- it was essential that they not take from the vats. It was decided that were they allowed to drink from them themselves, they would prevent the arrival of ones they did not like. If they complained, they would lose their jobs. So they kept quiet.
Such lonely work. Such lonely work. One of the laborers had thought, Why are we the only ones not allowed to communicate? Why must we be alone? And though they themselves attempted to earn the attention of their leaders, they were ignored. The workers were quite frustrated- not only was their work lonely, but it was hard, having to lift and move all of those vats, having to make sure they all arrived on time, having to decide when on time was- and now they were being looked over?
It's the vats, they thought. If we didn't have those, we could be free. So the workers thought long and hard, and decided they needed a way to replace the vats.
