[Torg] 0-10 (Social Axiom, 2 of 8)

[Jones Jasyn]

0 [Prehistoric] -  Living organisms are not conscious of, and cannot conceive of, the existence of other intelligent living organisms. Living organisms cannot communicate with or cooperate with other beings. Asexual reproduction is possible, but sexual reproduction is not.

1 [Prehistoric] - The concept of a living “other” becomes possible. Beings may communicate or cooperate on a temporary, makeshift basis; no long–term understanding is possible. No permanent relationships or social units are possible. Sexual reproduction first becomes possible.

2 [Prehistoric] - Partnerships are possible on a long term basis.  Such partnerships share an idiosyncratic form of communication (a “language”) that is incomprehensible to others. Norms governing behavior in such dyads are possible. 

Interaction between dyads is possible, including barter, but only on a short-term basis. Only goods can be bartered, not labor. Haggling is possible.

3 [Prehistoric] - The only social unit is the nuclear family (parents and offspring only); rudimentary ceremonies for death of a family member develop.  Language is possible, but not permanent records.

4 [Prehistoric] - The extended family is possible.  Verbal traditions are strong, ceremonial knowledge is passed down from generation to generation.  Ceremonies for all important stages of life are developed.

The concept of personal property is possible.  Painting and other forms of ornamentation and decoration are developed.

5 [Tribal, 250,000 years ago] - The tribe (multi-family groups) is possible, resources can be shared.  Political organization is possible, but of very limited scope.

Pictographic writing such as hieroglyphics can be developed.  Dramatic theater is possible, distinct from religious ceremonies and stories.  Poetry is developed.

6 [Dawn of Civilization, 6000 BC] - Villages and cooperative food production efforts are possible.  Rulership by a “king” is possible but the range of his authority is limited.  Social organization developed sufficiently to allow the existence of professional tradesmen.  Semi-professional military and militia formed for common defense can exist.

The concept of land ownership is possible.  Unfortunately, so is the concept of owning other intelligent beings.  A combination sound/pictographic alphabet may be developed.  Epic poetry and sporting events are possible.

7 [Ancient Egypt, 4000 BC] - The city-state, a network of villages and smaller cities ruled from one central city, usually with a monarch of some kind, can exist.  Feudalism possible.  Standing armies for conquest as well as defense may be raised. Taxes are invented, as are arithmetic counting and administrative procedures for collecting taxes.

8 [Mycenean/Hellenic, 1500 BC] - Collection of information is sufficiently centralized for the beginning of scholarship and science; libraries and institutions of learning may appear.  Abstract or phonetic alphabets possible.  Such institutions may be leveraged to increase the speed with which any axiom develops.

Money is invented.  Laws are codified.  Early forms of democracy are possible, but voting privileges are usually limited to a specific social group (which varies from culture to culture).”
Collection of information is sufficiently centralized for the beginning of scholarship and science; libraries and institutions of learning may appear. Abstract or phonetic alphabets are possible. These developments may be leveraged to increase the speed with which any axiom develops.
 
9 [Rome, 200 BC] - Social organization sufficiently robust as to assimilate conquered cultures rather than simply rule them. Societies may trade "cultural ideas" as well as hard goods. Property is rented. Postal and news services are possible. The first cohesive bureaucracies are possible, allowing a central authority to make policy and have it implemented consistently across a large territory.

10 [Renaissance, AD 1200] - Financial concepts develop rapidly.  The idea of a company or royal monopoly, a non-family owned venture sponsored by several partners, is possible.  Stock, commodities and financial exchanges possible.  The concept of collateral is invented.  Insurance policies are possible.

Footnote, re: 9 to 10. So far as I have been able to determine, every single social advance that occurred between the Fall of Rome (circa 400 AD) and the Renaissance (1200 AD) was a restoration of advances instituted in Roman times or before. Coinage, professional soldiers, schools- all of these were things the Romans had that Europeans lost and later rediscovered. No other culture had any significant advances during this time and, at best, the Byzantines could be said to have maintained Roman advances, instead of losing them. 
--
Jasyn Jones
jasynj (at) gmail (dot) com

"To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield."
Ulysses, Alfred Lord Tennyson

Check out my Torg webpage, Storm Knights:
web.me.com/stormknights/