"I'm not surprised when that happens. People get scared, and would rather try to keep themselves and their loved ones safe, rather than risk that to make a world where everyone's loved ones will be safe. I think if you can give people an opening so they are less afraid, many of them will taken it."
And also why the Empire is so quick to make examples of whoever they can. Because seeming like a law of nature, and only offering the people a choice of who is the lowest in the hierarchy keeps people from asking 'why does the Empire have to exist at all'. It seems inescapable when you are inside of it, but the workings are far clearer from the outside -- also why the Empire doesn't let people step outside to look at it, and makes sure those from other worlds are always at the bottom.
Ilphyl has spent about two decades thinking about how different it feels trapped in an oppressive hierarchy where they could never be at the top, but sure could fight to not be at the bottom, versus seeing it from outside. It feels wrong to call this 'practice', but it suggests that they can learn from this for their own people.
Re: III: What Snows of the New Year (General)
And also why the Empire is so quick to make examples of whoever they can. Because seeming like a law of nature, and only offering the people a choice of who is the lowest in the hierarchy keeps people from asking 'why does the Empire have to exist at all'. It seems inescapable when you are inside of it, but the workings are far clearer from the outside -- also why the Empire doesn't let people step outside to look at it, and makes sure those from other worlds are always at the bottom.
Ilphyl has spent about two decades thinking about how different it feels trapped in an oppressive hierarchy where they could never be at the top, but sure could fight to not be at the bottom, versus seeing it from outside. It feels wrong to call this 'practice', but it suggests that they can learn from this for their own people.