fandomhigh | Living on the Outskirts, Friday, Period 2

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living on the outskirts

Living on the Outskirts, Friday, Period 2

"I won't presume to tell you all what it is you need in your lives," Jonothon began once it looked as though everyone who was going to be here was settled in. "You've all gotten along without me doing so right up to this point, I'm hardly going to sweep in and give you some piece of critical information about whatever's been working for you that will turn your philosophies on their heads and somehow make your entire future a brighter one. And if I do, tell me. I'd probably get a kick out of that."

No. Really. He probably would.

"Today, I am going to natter on for a minute," or more, "about fundamental human needs. There are handouts," Jono glanced down at two stacks of paper, and then gestured for one of his TAs to hand them out while he continued talking, "that supposedly sum up those things that human beings, or I would presume other sentients that are at least similar to humans, require in order to live comfortable lives. You'll notice if you deign to look at them that they seem to vary slightly in what they believe is necessary for a decent standard of living, though they do agree that food, water, shelter, and a sense of security are obviously important."

He settled back against his desk, arms crossed over his chest.

"They also place some level of importance on positive interaction with other people," he continued. "The list of Fundamental Human Needs places a special emphasis on this, and bases its list on things that have been constants through all human time periods, through all cultures. While it covers subsistence immediately, the rest of the categories break off into things like 'affection,' 'understanding,' 'participation.' All social in nature." Jono took a moment to glance around the room, from person to person, and smiled faintly. "Obviously, your own mileage might vary. Perhaps you're all perfectly happy little hermits, and you've no need for sentient interaction in the least. In which case, I'm not entirely certain what you're doing here, but you might as well settle back and listen, all the same."

Jono reached for his coffee and took a mouthful before pressing on with his lecture.

"What you really need to take out of this, as people who might be walking on the edge of society in one way or another, is that people, people in general, have some deep, pressing need to belong. They need to interact with others, and I'd be surprised if even the most surly of you were to honestly tell me otherwise. There is not a person in this room who hasn't made a friend, at some point in their lives or even at some point during their time on the island. Of that I am certain." He smiled faintly. "So, today we're going to come up with ways to take our knowledge of that need and turn it to our own advantage. Whether you're on the outside looking in, or on the inside wishing you could get the hell out, there will likely be somebody right there with you, or at least standing nearby and looking at the rest of the world from a position that means that you could familiarize yourself with them if only you tried. So. You tell me, from your own personal standpoints, from what you've seen and what you've done, if you were to find such a person, what potential use does that person have for you, in particular. A friend? An ally? A business associate? Fodder?"

He was pretty sure there were a few in the room who would list 'fodder.'

"And then, I want you to figure out your own personal needs and list them off in order from most important to least, as you would list it. Leaving things on either of the handouts off or adding them is fine. I want you to think of what it is that you believe you cannot possibly live without. Sharing with the class is optional, but encouraged."

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With a Basic Need.

Pastries, comfortable seats, coffee and tea. You know the drill by now.

Really, you should all know by now that when Jono says 'a minute,' he means something closer to twenty.

What use would you have for somebody who was close enough, and willing, even, to be a part of your social circle? Obviously it depends on the situation, and answers from home will likely differ from ones pertaining to Fandom in particular.

Still, Jono would like to know. What sort of interaction do you actively seek out from a person willing to give it? What use are people, to you?

Make your own list of basic needs, things that you've realized over the years that you simply can't be without. Borrowing points from the handouts is acceptable, as well as adding or subtracting things as you see fit.

Share with the class, if you want, or just keep the list on hand for your own personal benefit.

When they ping in.

Sorry, Cade. Your shadowy corner keeps shrinking.

Who is leaning back against his desk and looking more or less approachable throughout the class, and for some time afterwards.

He's not going anywhere until he finishes his coffee, damn it.

I nearly forgot it was Friday!

Everything is melting togeeeeether.

Paddra Nsu-Yeul

Yeul read through the handouts carefully, though when he spoke of people needing, in general, to belong she stopped reading and listened, frowning slightly.

"I do not understand," Yeul said, sounding a bit lost. "If someone is within your social circle, must they have a use? Does thinking of it that way not devalue the entire point of friendship?"

"I didn't say," Jono said, smiling wryly at her, "that 'being a friend' didn't count as a function in and of itself. If all you want is companionship, Yeul, then that answer is a perfectly acceptable one."

It was difficult being all-inclusive in a classroom full of people whose outlook on life differed quite this vastly, it seemed.

Yeul struggled with her list of things that she considered basic needs. Food, air, water were all easy ones. So was clothing and shelter from the elements.

It was less physical needs that gave her trouble. What did she need?

The list of things was incredibly small when she thought about what she actually needed.

"Other than those that are required for living, such as food and water," Yeul said, "the only other things I believe I need are tranquility, peace of mind, and adaptability."

... Yeul's existence was a peculiar one.

And being without Caius, or anyone else to talk to, would be lonely. For all of that, however, she did not think it would be impossible if she had the three things she listed as needing.

She was sorry for always making his life a little more difficult?

"I... I do not know that it is what I want," she said quietly, looking down, "but it seems to me that it should be enough in and of itself to have someone within your circle for that. Giving them a use, needing them to have one, that makes them sound like they're less than people and more like tools."

Atton Rand

"And for some here, perhaps that's all they can afford to let them be," Jono replied, his voice softening somewhat. "But the way you're looking at it... Yeul, I can respect that. It's a good way to see the world, and more ought to view it as such."

He tilted his head at her, regarding her curiously.

"If you don't mind my asking, rearranging the wording of the assignment somewhat... what role do other people tend to play in your life? Mentor? Friend? Protector? If you could only pick one person to be a part of your day-to-day, what would that person be to you?"

"Oh." She looked discomfited. "I had not considered that other peoples' circumstances might make them unable to afford to see others as more. My apologies for that." Yeul hoped that, if any of her classmates had heard, they did not take her over-sight poorly though she would not blame them if they did.

As for his question… that was an easy answer, when turned around that way. "A protector," she said quietly.

That was what Caius was, underneath everything else.

Edited 2012-09-21 14:11 (UTC)

Victor Mancha

Natalie Adams

Victor frowned at the lists because he simply didn't know. He couldn't exist forever without air or water, but he suspected the nanotechnology would keep him going for far longer than he'd ever need to be in that situation.

He wasn't about to try to drown himself to find out, either way.

"I guess the things I need the most -- besides the physical stuff -- are friendship, achievement and respect," he said, still looking at the worksheet. "So, you know. The little things."

"Thank you, Yeul," Jonothon murmured, still offering her that faint, understanding smile. "And as we have people from all walks of life in this class, it stands to reason that there will be viewpoints that don't entirely make sense at a glance. But if you don't understand, don't hesitate to speak up, luv. And if you're worried about offending your classmates with it, I'm willing to take you aside to explain whatever I can."

That was what he was here for, after all.

Arietty Clock

"It just," she said, smiling up at him, "that I’m afraid I am frequently at a loss when it comes to such matters as discussed here. I do not wish to take up all of your time, simply because I do not have the experience to understand where you are coming from. I think I am learning. Eventually, perhaps, I will not be so confused. Your patience with me is appreciated."

Stephanie Brown

Stephanie's list was pretty simple: Food, water, and a place to sleep.

She'd never really been destitute, but they'd lived close enough to it for long enough, and she spent enough time living around and working with Gotham's lowest social strata, that she didn't really have many illusions about necessities.

Well, read the post-script, just in case anyone happened to read this and try to pry about her family, and maybe a decent supply of chocolate.

Mercy Thompson

Yeul offered Victor a smile. "The little things," she echoed. "It's interesting that they're different for each person while their importance stays the same, don't you think?"

"Completely," Victor said, turning to her after a moment with a slight smile. "Like, I probably want to achieve in totally different ways than you do, but most people want to achieve something."

"Yes," she said agreeably. "I would say that's both very normal, to want to achieve something, and incredibly varied because even if people wish to achieve the same thing, they'll manage it differently. It is like how every person has a different capability to adapt to a new situation."

Surreal

Jewel, breathable air, clean water, food. Surreal wrote. Titian's blade.

Really, she'd survived on that for years. She didn't need much to get by.

Surreal was there, and about as approachable as always.

Anna Korlov

Anna didn't need food, or water, or sleep. She needed...

Sanity, she wrote. Freedom. Someone to talk to.

Shane Gooseman

Goose's list was quite basic. He had done intense survival training during his years at Wolf Den so his list just included food and water.

Toby Logan

Billy Kaplan

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Living on the Outskirts, Friday, Period 2

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Lecture!

Activity 1 - What If?

Activity 2 - Personal Needs

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