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faction:freespacers:shravana_hive [2020/01/06 17:59] – ↷ Links adapted because of a move operation faction:freespacers:shravana_hive [2023/11/12 07:56] – link coffee wes
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 ====== Shravana Hive ====== ====== Shravana Hive ======
-A breakaway group of the [[faction:freespacers]], the Shravana Hive are most often classified as a Communist group left after the [[faction:freespacers:schism|schism]], as they trace their origins to disbanded fleets, and have settled down to mine a single asteroid belt in isolation. A closer look reveals that their ambitions are more in line with the Technocrat faction; they are ruled by oligarchs who hope to one day create a new industrial superpower. These dreams are distant, however, and the Hive first has to deal with the stain left by the criminal and even piratical elements who helped it secure its independence from [[faction:the_free_state]]. Although not widely known as 'a hive of scum and villainy', the Hive is in danger of gaining such a reputation, and not only because the name already fits.+A breakaway group of the [[species:freespacers]], the Shravana Hive are most often classified as a Communist group left after the [[faction:freespacers:schism|schism]], as they trace their origins to disbanded fleets, and have settled down to mine a single asteroid belt in isolation. A closer look reveals that their ambitions are more in line with the Technocrat faction; they are ruled by oligarchs who hope to one day create a new industrial superpower. These dreams are distant, however, and the Hive first has to deal with the stain left by the criminal and even piratical elements who helped it secure its independence from [[faction:the_free_state]]. Although not widely known as 'a hive of scum and villainy', the Hive is in danger of gaining such a reputation, and not only because the name already fits.
 ===== Government ===== ===== Government =====
 Ostensibly, all decisions in the Shravana Hive are made by popular vote. This is misleading, because a single self-perpetuating clique of intellectuals decides what questions the people are asked, and what answers they may select from. Though this does not give them absolute power, it certainly allows them to steer progress in the direction they want. If the inner circle decides to hold a vote about asking someone to jump, the only options are for how high. Ostensibly, all decisions in the Shravana Hive are made by popular vote. This is misleading, because a single self-perpetuating clique of intellectuals decides what questions the people are asked, and what answers they may select from. Though this does not give them absolute power, it certainly allows them to steer progress in the direction they want. If the inner circle decides to hold a vote about asking someone to jump, the only options are for how high.
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 Due to its small size, the Hive maintains a subsistence economy. It has no surplus resources and precious little technology to sell. Well over 99.9% of its 'imports' to-date were not paid for, and just as large a volume of its 'exports' were not produced locally; one of their largest export businesses is the sale of glazed earthenware, worth less than 30,000 KS per year. Despite this, there have been few thefts within the Hive, and its most enterprising criminals went uncaught long enough to retire to more stable leadership roles. The inner circle reject any notion of supporting a true pirate economy, to avoid falling afoul of the [[faction:nepleslia:senate:dion-free_state_protectorate_agreement]]. Due to its small size, the Hive maintains a subsistence economy. It has no surplus resources and precious little technology to sell. Well over 99.9% of its 'imports' to-date were not paid for, and just as large a volume of its 'exports' were not produced locally; one of their largest export businesses is the sale of glazed earthenware, worth less than 30,000 KS per year. Despite this, there have been few thefts within the Hive, and its most enterprising criminals went uncaught long enough to retire to more stable leadership roles. The inner circle reject any notion of supporting a true pirate economy, to avoid falling afoul of the [[faction:nepleslia:senate:dion-free_state_protectorate_agreement]].
  
-Internally, the Hive's policies are only one step removed from a command economy. Votes are held to determine details such as prices, wages, and who should receive a new contract, but the options given do not allow great deviance from what their scientists and engineers have planned. Citizens rarely have the luxury of choosing their first apprenticeship, and have a strictly limited number of opportunities to seek new employment before becoming 'locked in', with no choice but to take the assignment they're given, go into exile, or be recycled to 'try again'. Job creation efforts sometimes alleviate this, but citizens are generally expected to have affixed themselves to a single master-apprentice relationship with an elder member of the Hive by age six (see [[faction:freespacers#lifecycle|Freespacer lifecycle]]).+Internally, the Hive's policies are only one step removed from a command economy. Votes are held to determine details such as prices, wages, and who should receive a new contract, but the options given do not allow great deviance from what their scientists and engineers have planned. Citizens rarely have the luxury of choosing their first apprenticeship, and have a strictly limited number of opportunities to seek new employment before becoming 'locked in', with no choice but to take the assignment they're given, go into exile, or be recycled to 'try again'. Job creation efforts sometimes alleviate this, but citizens are generally expected to have affixed themselves to a single master-apprentice relationship with an elder member of the Hive by age six (see [[species:freespacers#lifecycle|Freespacer lifecycle]]).
 =====Ideology===== =====Ideology=====
 For most members of the 'Hivemind', ideological concerns are someone else's problem. Maintaining such a small independent colony with barely-adequate technology is hard work that leaves little time for big ideas. Nevertheless, the absence of philosophy creates something like a philosophy of its own. Leaders are considered the first among equals, raucous behavior is not tolerated outside of sanctioned events, and governmental controls are tolerated in the name of safety, efficiency, and hope for the future. For most members of the 'Hivemind', ideological concerns are someone else's problem. Maintaining such a small independent colony with barely-adequate technology is hard work that leaves little time for big ideas. Nevertheless, the absence of philosophy creates something like a philosophy of its own. Leaders are considered the first among equals, raucous behavior is not tolerated outside of sanctioned events, and governmental controls are tolerated in the name of safety, efficiency, and hope for the future.
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 Animal products are foreign to the Shravana Hive, and its population relies on a vegan diet by default. Though tissue engineering labs exist, none of them are capable of industrial-scale production. Most citizens either eat what their [[synthetic_intelligence#type_fives|Type Five]] monitors recommend for them, or choose from approved lists. Bypassing the bureaucracy of synthetic intelligences to obtain restricted, limited production, or imported foods requires a strong will, a quick wit, and significant knowledge of how to avoid booby prizes; as a result, luxury foods and high-concentration alcohol tend to be enjoyed only by the elite, and even they must be wary of drawing too much attention. Animal products are foreign to the Shravana Hive, and its population relies on a vegan diet by default. Though tissue engineering labs exist, none of them are capable of industrial-scale production. Most citizens either eat what their [[synthetic_intelligence#type_fives|Type Five]] monitors recommend for them, or choose from approved lists. Bypassing the bureaucracy of synthetic intelligences to obtain restricted, limited production, or imported foods requires a strong will, a quick wit, and significant knowledge of how to avoid booby prizes; as a result, luxury foods and high-concentration alcohol tend to be enjoyed only by the elite, and even they must be wary of drawing too much attention.
  
-Often, such 'special treats' are passed along to workers the Inner Circle holds in high regard, though these have also been used to incapacitate troublemakers, and cause them to miss a day's work. In one exemplary case, a bag of coffee-flavoured vodka was re-gifted almost four dozen times before being confiscated at the starport, deemed unfit for consumption, and recycled. A safer (but by no means risk-free) option for those with immoderate appetites is to volunteer to test new meal prototypes concocted by the food chemists in Newtown. These intrepid individuals--very few of whom are organics who actually need food and drink themselves--are always striving to enhance the reputation of their brands, and improve on the Hive's standard fare; the results are often charitably described as 'hit-and-miss'.+Often, such 'special treats' are passed along to workers the Inner Circle holds in high regard, though these have also been used to incapacitate troublemakers, and cause them to miss a day's work. In one exemplary case, a bag of [[items:drinks:coffee]]-flavoured vodka was re-gifted almost four dozen times before being confiscated at the starport, deemed unfit for consumption, and recycled. A safer (but by no means risk-free) option for those with immoderate appetites is to volunteer to test new meal prototypes concocted by the food chemists in Newtown. These intrepid individuals--very few of whom are organics who actually need food and drink themselves--are always striving to enhance the reputation of their brands, and improve on the Hive's standard fare; the results are often charitably described as 'hit-and-miss'.
 =====Fashion===== =====Fashion=====
 Another aspect of life in microgravity habitats, of particular interest to organics, is that build-ups of hair in the ducts can cause life support failures. Although hair-eating nanobots alleviate this problem somewhat, most organic citizens keep their hair covered or shaven to avoid accusations of putting their vanity ahead of the common good.  Another aspect of life in microgravity habitats, of particular interest to organics, is that build-ups of hair in the ducts can cause life support failures. Although hair-eating nanobots alleviate this problem somewhat, most organic citizens keep their hair covered or shaven to avoid accusations of putting their vanity ahead of the common good. 

faction/freespacers/shravana_hive.txt · Last modified: 2023/12/21 00:58 (external edit)

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