fandomhigh | History in Living Colour - Friday, Period 3 (Week 1)

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history in living colour

History in Living Colour - Friday, Period 3 (Week 1)

The Danger Shop was the place to be for students who were taking the Doctor's class. Conveniently, the Doctor was there and had programmed it to look like a cocktail party. People seemed to be mingling about and there were little holographic canapés and non-alcoholic drinks being served.

The Doctor met the students at the door. "Hello, I'm the Doctor. This is History in Living Colour and there's a syllabus to grab on the way out if you don't want to be surprised by what's coming up. I went to a lot of trouble to make those, so don't go making paper aeroplanes out of them or anything." They did make for great paper aeroplanes though. He'd tried it earlier. "The class will be about Earth's history, so if you know absolutely nothing about Earth, I suggest picking up a book and giving yourself a crash course or asking around. I'll be assuming you know at least something about the planet you're on by next week. Right! Lesson one. History is about the people. Inside you'll find three different men who have played a significant role in the development of Earth's history.

Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States and one of the most significant. Gave some great speeches. Never gets old listening to them. He's the fellow with the big hat.

Socrates is the guy in the toga. Greek. He's one of the founders of Western philosophy and has a good appreciation for irony.

Then there's Sigmund Freud. He's the one in the suit with the cigar. He had a lot on his mind and an obsession with mothers and phallic objects. Well, there's more to it, but I don't want to spoil all the fun.

Today's class is simple. Go in there, mingle, get to know each other, introduce yourselves and then go corner Abe, Socrates or Freud and ask them a question or two, and for the purposes of the exercise, they can all speak English."

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Socrates loved canapés. They were delightful and convenient and very sensible. Logical, even. Why hadn't he thought of them? He decided to dwell on that, and the food, at least until someone decided to approach him.

Peyton really wasn't sure what exactly she could ask Socrates, but she smiled at him anyway. "So, what do you think of parties as a method for learning?"

Socrates looked up, then smiled brightly that someone was actually talking to him and that it was a pretty young woman. "Parties, yes." He might have spoken English, he just didn't speak it very well. "You learn more of a man who is at ease than who is on guard."

Peyton nodded, thinking about that. "I think you're right. And it's easier sometimes to tell a person something difficult if they're not already uptight."

"Yes," Socrates agreed, glad she was seeing what he meant. "Communication is the foundation of learning," he said slowly, making sure he got the words right. "So parties? Good."

"Well, they're certainly a lot more interesting than my last history class," she admitted with a grin. "So, yeah, parties are good."

"Can't pass up a good party," the Doctor interrupted. "Enjoying yourself?"

Peyton smiled at him a little shyly. "I am, yes, Doctor. I'm still getting used to this place, but this part of it? I really like."

"Well, history is loads of fun. Full of parties and brilliant people and revolutions. Well, maybe not the revolutions. Well, it's full of them, but they're not always fun. We'll get to that. Who's your favourite so far?" he asked, nodding towards the trio of historical figures.

Peyton thought for a moment. "Freud is a little... creepy. Interesting, but... Lincoln is really impressive to get to talk to. But I sort of have a soft spot for Socrates. Not really sure why."

"He's a big softie, that's why. Greatest thinker of his time, possibly any time if you're only taking Earth into consideration, and not so deep down he's a big teddy bear. Loves to teach. He spent his whole life saying things people had never thought to say before, but it wasn't for glory or fame or money. He said things so the kids would listen, so they would start to think beyond what they'd been taught before, so they would start paying attention to the world around them with new eyes. They killed him for it in the end. For 'corrupting the minds of the youth of Athens'. Made him drink poison and then lay down to die because he said things they didn't want to hear and people listened."

"Why do they do that?" Peyton said passionately. "Why do the people who care and try and make a difference and help people always get killed?"

"Hello Mr. Socrates." Robin waved. "Are you enjoying the party?"

Socrates looked over, and then down. There was a frog talking to him. He looked at the canapé, wondering if he'd eaten something he shouldn't have, then shrugged to himself. "Food is good," he replied politely, waving a canapé.

"Yeah I like it too. Have you tried the cucumber wraps?"

"What are those?"

Robin hopped up to the table, and picked out a small cup of breadish substance with cucumber pate in it. "I think that's what these are called."

"Ahhh," Socrates said, as if Robin had revealed to him the secrets of the universe. He tried one and sighed in content. Yes, food was the basis of all things. "Thank you, little frog."

"You're welcome, I'm glad I could help."

Alice walked up to Socrates, clasping her hands behind her and smiling. "So how does one found philosophy? Or was it find? One would think that would make you a finder, and not a founder, unless we're feeling particularly past-tense today."

Socrates looked a little bewildered at first, then finished eating his cucumber wrap and tried to give an answer the best he could. "Every movement has a beginning. Every thought comes into being somewhere." Then he smiled conspiratorially. "Only the brave, but foolish man says it aloud when no one wants to hear."

"Are you admitting to being brave, but foolish?" she smiled back. "I think that's far preferable to the cowardly, but wise alternative. What sort of philosophy did you ... found?"

He responded to her first question with a knowing smile. "The philosopher, like any man, must know how to question the universe and receive answers for his efforts. To solve a problem such as the universe and the matters of man, you must break down what you wish to know into a series of questions. The answers you find will gradually give you what you seek. The highest form of human excellence is to question oneself and others."

"I see," Alice said. "So what questions do you ask the universe, and what sort of answers have you been receiving?"

"Questions of importance, and of no importance at all. Questions to explain why all things are and how we can understand them. The answers have been challenging."

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