So let's get thinking about stereotyping. No, not OOC stereotyping... I'm talking about In Character stereotyping. Both true and untrue trends and assumptions made about the denizens of places in New Eden. In reality, we have plenty of them about real world locations. So why not EVE! I'll start with Caldari regions. Feel free to do specific constellations, systems, or even cities.
The Forge
Those living in The Forge are stereotyped as the industrious and highly successful lifeblood of the State. It is the seat of both the State capitol, military HQ, and largest trade hub; and The Forge rightly sits consistently at the top of regional ratings brackets. It hosts the State equivalent of Wall Street, so it is a popular idea that the Chief Executive and Executive classes occupy this region the most. Those who live here are regarded in a manner similar to 'city slickers', and Forge accents are remarkably varied and heavily influenced by all three of the other regions as well as outsiders. For this reason, it could be argued that there is no singular 'Forge accent'; and those with an odd accent anywhere else are often assumed to have come from The Forge if they are not obviously foreign. Denizens of the Forge are stereotyped to be knowledgeable, rich, and having many powerful connections or access to the big players that operate there. Common opinion states that if you want to be successful, you'll want to live and work here in the Forge.
The Citadel
Despite the significant economic and cultural activity that takes place in the Citadel, it is commonly assumed to be the State's most militarized region. The only truth to this is that a majority of the Caldari Navy is moored in deadspace safe-spots around the Citadel, and the gate network architecture itself is designed to resist invasion. Those living in The Citadel are perhaps unsurprisingly given stereotypes related to military concepts or ideals. The speech accents from this region often carry an air of authority and clarity, and are sometimes unfairly viewed as too haughty. Those with a Citadel accent are often assumed to be part of the military, and military characters in media are often portrayed with a Citadel accent. Those who live in the Citadel are stereotyped to be proper and patriotic, representing the traditional values of meritocratic service. For this reason, Citadel accents often garner the speaker some measure of respect and admiration upon first meeting.
Aside from these traits, Citadel denizens are rather lacking in any civilian cultural stereotypes. When asked how a Citadel accent sounds, any Caldari can provide a (badly imitated) rendition of it, often laced with military jargon. When asked what Citadel civilians do in their off time, most Caldari will stumble and fail to find an answer. It's almost as if popular opinion holds those who live in the Citadel as having no culture outside the military, and the concept of a civilian living there seems almost alien or out of place. While everybody knows there are civilians there, and they far outnumber the military staff, most people just don't think about them.
Lonetrek
If regions could be rural, Lonetrek would lead the category according to Caldari. Lonetrek is often the most negatively stereotyped region of the State despite its many virtues and accomplishments. Many of those accomplishments are simply attributed to those outside Lonetrek anyways. The Lonetrek accent is immediately recognizable as a heavy drawl, and in some cases is nearly incomprehensible. This has led to those with a Lonetrek accent to be seen as the 'rednecks and hillbillies' of the Caldari, especially when paired with the countless odd cultural and behavioral habits that stem from this region. Lonetrekkers are often considered to be uneducated, unskilled, lacking in proper Caldari values, and at worst - Provist.
Lonetrek was also the site of the Piak revolt that saw Tibus Heth launched into power, and for a while, the attention and respect he demanded for the common worker saw Lonetrek's cultural popularity skyrocket. This has unfortunately backfired badly for Lonetrek. Tibus Heth's distinct Lonetrek accent has caused all Lonetrekkers to be associated with him, leading to people erroneously assuming that Lonetrek is at fault for him.
Black Rise
Black Rise is the wild-west of the Caldari. People living there are regarded with a sense of arms-length awe by those living in High-Security space. As the youngest region, there is no defined accent for Black Rise yet, and there are no real cultural associations... except the war. Those living in Black Rise must deal with the constant occupation pendulum of the militia war, and are often positively regarded because of this. Despite many tragic instances of casualties, many of the assumed frontiersmen and wasteland prospectors live fairly comfortable lives as regular colonial State citizens.
Popular assumption has those in Black Rise building their own homes and towns in forsaken badlands from the few resources available, trying to eke out a life from scratch and dust. The reality is quite different. Trillions of credits have been poured into the development of Black Rise, and those living there typically reside in well supplied and heavily supported corporate complexes. With every common amenity available in most cases, there really isn't any noticeable quality-of-life difference between Black Rise and anywhere else. The single biggest issue is the looming threat of Federal occupation that promises plenty of upheaval for those Caldari living there.
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Topic: New Eden Stereotyping (Read 638 times)