h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hello Analiese, thought I should say thank you for the good stories, they were a pleasure to read. And rather than distract more from the thread of language and dispearsal to put my thoughts here for you. Spears and pencils may be sharp, but its the mind that cuts.

On your space you mention words used to describe the native people of north america, and how Britons like myself tend to use red indian. Personally in writting I would use American Indian (or specific tribe if apropriate and known), though in conversation I have picked up a habbit from some friends of using Amerind, which if I recall correctly is taken from Shadowrun (a roleplay and ficton thing). Are either offencive in and of them selves (I know with proper use any word can become offencive, but that is not my intent).

Math

I'm glad you enjoyed my stories and stuff. It's always welcome to hear that.

Regarding your question, it's probably like many things, sort of an individual preference. I don't think either of your choices would necessarily be offensive although you never know. Depends on the person you're addressing mostly and if they tell you a term offends them, then it's probably best to not use that term with them. That' doesn't mean it's wrong. It means they don't like it and courtesy would sort of suggest asking them what they prefer.

As you already apparently know, most would probably prefer to be addressed by tribal affiliation really and if you show a similar sort of interest to what you've shown with me, they probably would be happy to tell you what tribe.

In my case, it's sort of a group, although I suppose I mainly identify with Newe and Weenuche (Shoshone and Ute). The others are Inde (Western Apache) and Ningwi (Southern Paiute). So that's what I would prefer to be called, at least one of those, take your pick. Otherwise American Indian or just Indian is fine. I don't personally like Native American because it implies something about our sovereignty or lack of it I don't agree with, but that's a personal thing with me.

So, I'm curious too. Is the term Briton acceptable to your people or is that more like your personal preference? How does it differ from British or English or whatever? Your nickname seems to suggest that the term in your view might apply traditionally to inhabitants of the West Country, Welsh or Cornish or such. Is that correct?

I'm not that bothered by what I'm called in terms of nationality, and could claim Welsh by ancestory and by naturalisation, or Scottish by ancestory, or English by location of birth. In general if the person asking is British I would say I'm Welsh, if the person is not British I would say that I am British, oddly enough I prefer not to be thought of as English though I think that is mere affectation based on a preferance for celtic history and mythology. Mostly I like to be thought of as Math with whatever assumptions that comes with, as I imagine most people prefer

I just realised I answered the question I wanted to rather than that asked.

I'm not certain but I believe; British or Briton could be used in either sense; primarily to indicate anyone from Great Briton (GB, UK, or United Kingdom), but if used in a more historical context I would assume it to be more exclusive, along the lines you suggest depending on time where the borders are drawn. I would be suprised at anyone taking offence at Briton or British, but a misapplication of Welsh, English, Scottish or Cornish could to some be taken as offencive...

Math

I heard there was a Celtic revival movement in Europe. Are you part of that?

No Analiese, I'm not intentionally part of any such movement, though I do appreciate celtic history, mythology and especially asthetics, so in a sense I could be a part of the background that makes such a movement possible. But unless the movement is indirect and more a sociological change towards celtic ways rather than an active group, the answer is, no.

I'm not really aware of any such movement, but then having no interest in joining such and no cause to seek it out, that is hardly suprising.

Math

Forgive my ignorance.

I understood it might be an issue in Wales and Brittany with particular political overtones. Probably not enough to threaten either the UK or the French Republic but definitely something to consider in some way.

I believe there are similar movements in Belgium and Spain, involving Flemish or Frissian speakers and Basques respectively.

Respecting Celtic revival specifically, certainly the issues in Ulster would relate a little to that would they not?

There is nothing to forgive, we all start in ignorance; questions and answers are the path to enlightenment

Wales is in the process of devolution (an interesting term) from the UK's central government, Scotland is in a similar process and further along. Personally I see this as an additional layer of government and as such an unneeded expense, a distraction from real issues. Not that any in the UK can reasonably complain about the government with the low turn out of voters (somewhere around 20-30% if I recall correctly).

The Ulster issue is complex, my oversimplistic view is that the core of the problem is religious and as such beyond my comprehension, I have never been able to wrap my mind about beliefs, not my own, let alone other peoples. One the things that confuses me most is the idea of belief in charity understanding and forgiveness and then following this cause into violence. I may one day reach such enlightenment to resolve such seeming paradox (but I doubt it). I know there are other aspects to the issues, but I'm always worried about asking questions on issues people are willing to kill for...

Math

I think practically anything that "devolves" or whatever from central government is a good thing.

Also, I'd question whether the issue in Ulster really is religious. If all the Catholics suddenly converted to the Anglican or Presbyterian faiths would things necessarily be any different? I know that's probably a loaded question but think about it anyways okay?

Sorry I have taken so long in replying, at first I was thinking about it, as suggested, then I kinda misplaced it amongst other postings and having a memory like umm one of those things you use to get the lumps out of flour, umm seive that's it .

I do have some reservations about decentralized governments, I dislike the idea that someone just over the border might be paying less tax, have more freedoms, in whatever manor be better governed. So in my view centralized government has the (theoretical) advantage of fairness. Of course Decentralized government has the advantage (again theoretical) of being more local and as such more able to address directly issues which are of consern to local people, however, I am not entirly convinced this is a positive thing in a government. Adressing the conserns of smaller groups leads to predudice. In my opinion we have such a problem in the current systems of both UK and USA, where because of the cost of running a campain to be elected, the primary concern of candidates is the individuals and groups (businesses or groups of citizens) which provide funds, and as a result recieve preferential treatment from those they have helped. I might just be being cynical though.

I still haven't come to a conclusion on your Ulster question, I think the problem would still be there if the religion issue were removed now, however had reigion had never been part of the problem I think it may well have been resolved by now with a degree less bloodshed. I'll not go so far as to suggest that either there would not have been a problem or that it would have been easily resolved. While the issue is not solely religious, such differences make any resolution more difficult, as in my opinion they make compromise less likely. A common religion could provide common ground from which to start, or it might have been ignored like other common grounds have been, for example humaity, both sides being made of people, and to my mind all people share some basic things in common. Alas regardles of religions involvement or lack thereof, it has been used as an excuse, and has in my opinion resulted in escallation of violenance.

Whats your opinion on the subject ?

Math