Terran Culture

October 01, 2001

Net-7 archive transcript 08242410:01002311 (Originally transmitted 08.24.2410 as part of Net-7's annual almanac, produced by Sol System Cultural Resource Council and underwritten by Celestia University.)

One Origin, Three Paths
To understand the three major cultures of the Sol System - Terran, Progen, and Jenquai - it is first necessary to know their common background. All inhabitants of Sol System originated on Earth. Humans thrived there for thousands of years before two factions, the Progen and Jenquai, led the migration to other planets in the system. Terrans are the direct descendants of Earth's original inhabitants.

The Terrans
While Earth's current inhabitants and their representatives throughout the galaxy often consider themselves the only "true" humans, in some ways they have evolved from their origins as much as Jenquai or Progen.

Wealth is the driving force behind Terran culture. Those who don't have wealth are trying to accumulate it, and those who have it are trying to get more. Four major corporations are inextricably tied to all Terran dealings, and numerous minor corporations are involved as well.

Major families, or "houses," control each of the corporations and play a large part in Terran society as well. The two major houses are House MacGregor, which operates InfinitiCorp., and House Naverre, which operates the Good Earth Trading Company (GetCo). Other major houses are Obata and Orsini. The major houses all have their own security forces and space fleets, and in the case of MacGregor and Naverre, colonies as well.

The Terran tendency toward accumulation of wealth has also produced a culture that is extremely materialistic, with ever-present displays of ostentation and extravagance. Terrans judge each other by how much they have, how well they can show it off, and who they know.

Social functions, trends, fads, and gossip all play a large part in Terran life. While all these factors are to a large degree influenced by the corporate presence and marketing, Terrans also pride themselves on their unpredictability. Many a fad has progressed from a simple extravagance into a planet-wide obsession that would baffle a Progen or Jenquai with its insensibility.

Terrans view Progen and Jenquai as unpleasant mutants, but their predilection toward wealth usually overrides any xenophobic concerns. After all, Jenquai and Progen money still spends just as well as Terran money. Though they typically see Progen and Jenquai as unclean annoyances, Terrans are still more tolerant of racial differences. This is probably due to the fact that Terrans themselves are highly diverse, with myriad combinations of physical appearance, spiritual affiliation, and genetic background.

The Terran fascination with gadgets and machinery has led to many advances beyond even those of the Jenquai. Terrans are particularly adept at making things that go fast, and that can be made cheaply and in large quantities. It was InfinitiCorp, after all, that introduced the first faster-than-light hyperdrive. And of course, the Terran agricultural industry has a virtual monopoly across the system, as food grown on Earth simply tastes better than that grown anywhere else.

Religion is common in Terran society, and in addition to the more traditional religions, newer faiths have sprung up as space travel flourishes. Many groups that were considered cults 200 years ago are now widely accepted religions.

With 25 billion people on more than a dozen populated planets, Terrans are much more widespread than the other races. However, due to its materialistic nature, the Terran society has a staggering gap between the "haves" and "have-nots."