Judging from what would seem evident (and I think the TV show is the closest thing to an objective canon that's out there, though it only shows a small part of the Pokemon world and is subjective to obvious biases) in the Pokemon canon... what norms are there?
For this discussion I will just say the sociological terms for different types of norms-- norms are rules and expectations by which a society guides the behavior of its individuals, and there are "prescriptive" norms (what we should do) and "proscriptive" norms (what we shouldn't). Of norms, there are "mores", norms that are widely observed and have great moral significance, and "folkways", norms that influence/guide route/casual interaction. (I'm not sociology buff, but I just think these are useful terms to use--don't you?
)
I personally believe that an objective Pokemon canon could follow the anime as far as norms. I don't see any reason why, with the culture and economy as I theorize they are, casual interaction could not be like it is in the anime.
As far as norms from the anime...
Well, for one, people are generally kind and understanding, and tend to be sympathetic or sensitive rather than immediately jumping to negatively rationalized conclusions or prejudices; of course not everyone is perfect, and some people pay more attention to social graces than others. (And though it may just be the anime's attempt to put significance to everything, it seems that most of the inner difficulties people go through, and biases they have, have their origins in deep beliefs/emotions which were not easily formed.) People also seem to be trusting of strangers and people they don't know.
This makes sense when you take into account (what I believe to be true: ) the extremely potent economy (with Pokemon as the backbone for much of its boom) and plentiful natural resources; people live good lives and have little reason to behave negatively or to anticipate negative behavior in others.
I don't believe that an actual Pokemon world would have as little casual social strife as the anime depicts, but that's because I believe the anime people wouldn't bother including small interactions that are aside from the plot (unless those interactions develop the characters, or are humorous, or both). I don't think it would get as tense/upsetting as, say, many of the relationships between husbands and wives in this world, though.
Right now I should clarify that I've been speaking generally. There are people who choose to not follow social conventions, such as Team Rocket, petty criminals, and miscellaneous others no doubt. However, these are definitely in the minority. I'll also say that it's my personal belief that even among these people, however, the deepest mores still have influence...
One more (note I mean the term "more", pronounced more-ay) that I think is very significant is murder. This is difficult to say for sure because I know that a kids' anime wouldn't just allude to people being killed by other people casually. I don't think they've ever alluded to murder, in fact; only (usually accidental/health-related) death, which is carefully euphemized. Based on that euphemization, though, and the fact that murder is probably extremely rare, I'd guess that murder is something very unusual and very sensitive; people would discuss it like they discussed rape 50-100 years ago in this world (or at least in the U.S.). This is partially speculation, anyway... The significance of murder will be on the main themes of a fanfic I plan to write, by the way. = )
(Actually, this is very important in regard to Pokemon fanfic, because one thing that turns me off in fanfic is when the social interactions are just like in this world. Oh, that reminds me: thanks for the link to that fanfic, Barb. =) )
By the way, I don't believe profanity exists, except to individuals, because (1) there's not much reason to be swearing constantly for most people, and to do so is kind of like a little complaint, and I don't think the people of this world take their lives for granted so much, and (2) it wouldn't be widespread. I remember Ash said "What the Pokemon", I have no idea what that was in Japanese but it sounds to me like just something that he or the writers made up for fun.
Does anyone else have observations/speculation on this kind of thing, or what I've said?
For this discussion I will just say the sociological terms for different types of norms-- norms are rules and expectations by which a society guides the behavior of its individuals, and there are "prescriptive" norms (what we should do) and "proscriptive" norms (what we shouldn't). Of norms, there are "mores", norms that are widely observed and have great moral significance, and "folkways", norms that influence/guide route/casual interaction. (I'm not sociology buff, but I just think these are useful terms to use--don't you?
)I personally believe that an objective Pokemon canon could follow the anime as far as norms. I don't see any reason why, with the culture and economy as I theorize they are, casual interaction could not be like it is in the anime.
As far as norms from the anime...
Well, for one, people are generally kind and understanding, and tend to be sympathetic or sensitive rather than immediately jumping to negatively rationalized conclusions or prejudices; of course not everyone is perfect, and some people pay more attention to social graces than others. (And though it may just be the anime's attempt to put significance to everything, it seems that most of the inner difficulties people go through, and biases they have, have their origins in deep beliefs/emotions which were not easily formed.) People also seem to be trusting of strangers and people they don't know.
This makes sense when you take into account (what I believe to be true: ) the extremely potent economy (with Pokemon as the backbone for much of its boom) and plentiful natural resources; people live good lives and have little reason to behave negatively or to anticipate negative behavior in others.
I don't believe that an actual Pokemon world would have as little casual social strife as the anime depicts, but that's because I believe the anime people wouldn't bother including small interactions that are aside from the plot (unless those interactions develop the characters, or are humorous, or both). I don't think it would get as tense/upsetting as, say, many of the relationships between husbands and wives in this world, though.
Right now I should clarify that I've been speaking generally. There are people who choose to not follow social conventions, such as Team Rocket, petty criminals, and miscellaneous others no doubt. However, these are definitely in the minority. I'll also say that it's my personal belief that even among these people, however, the deepest mores still have influence...
One more (note I mean the term "more", pronounced more-ay) that I think is very significant is murder. This is difficult to say for sure because I know that a kids' anime wouldn't just allude to people being killed by other people casually. I don't think they've ever alluded to murder, in fact; only (usually accidental/health-related) death, which is carefully euphemized. Based on that euphemization, though, and the fact that murder is probably extremely rare, I'd guess that murder is something very unusual and very sensitive; people would discuss it like they discussed rape 50-100 years ago in this world (or at least in the U.S.). This is partially speculation, anyway... The significance of murder will be on the main themes of a fanfic I plan to write, by the way. = )
(Actually, this is very important in regard to Pokemon fanfic, because one thing that turns me off in fanfic is when the social interactions are just like in this world. Oh, that reminds me: thanks for the link to that fanfic, Barb. =) )
By the way, I don't believe profanity exists, except to individuals, because (1) there's not much reason to be swearing constantly for most people, and to do so is kind of like a little complaint, and I don't think the people of this world take their lives for granted so much, and (2) it wouldn't be widespread. I remember Ash said "What the Pokemon", I have no idea what that was in Japanese but it sounds to me like just something that he or the writers made up for fun.
Does anyone else have observations/speculation on this kind of thing, or what I've said?
