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Table of Contents
The EXOHUMAN WAY OF LIFE IN THE GAMMA AGE
The culture of the ExoHumans on planet VOI 700 D in the Gamma Age is deeply shaped by the conditions imposed by the Peace Treaty with the Native Tribes and the resulting scarcity of resources. This has led to a lifestyle where improvisation and adaptability are essential, mirroring the rugged frontier spirit of Earth’s Wild West.
Despite possessing extensive technical and cultural knowledge, ExoHumans face severe resource constraints that prevent the full application of these advancements. Consequently, daily life oscillates between advanced technologies like the GAIA artificial intelligence system, which regulates many aspects of society, and rudimentary practices, such as reliance on animal-powered transport due to the lack of infrastructure for modern vehicles.
This dichotomy creates a unique cultural landscape where tradition and progress coexist, shaping every facet of ExoHuman life on VOI 700 D.
The Return of Paper as the Primary Medium for Information
Due to limited resources and the inability to provide every citizen with digital devices, paper has regained prominence as the primary medium for storage and information dissemination in the Federal Confederation.
Federal Encyclopedia
In 2634, the Federal Council, under the administration of Aisha Patel, commissioned the Federal Encyclopedia, a monumental project to document and preserve humanity’s collective knowledge. This encyclopedia, produced on paper, is a nod to the settlers’ resource-conscious mindset.
Newspapers
Print journalism has also seen a resurgence, with two major newspapers serving the Habitual Belt and the Dark Side:
- **The Weekly Gazette** (New Kourou): An independent publication funded by the Independent Press Act of 2634 and operated by the Federal News Agency.
- **The Firetown Post**(Firetown): A politically charged publication backed by the Individualist Party.
Both newspapers employ traditional mechanical printing methods akin to the presses of Earth’s 17th century. In addition to current news, they feature classified ads, birth announcements, and official registers, making them indispensable to daily life.
Due to the lack of resources in the Gamma Age the Weekly Gazette is only available in public Federal News Lounges (in the settlements of the Habitual Belt) and Federal Libraries.
Pocket Books
Printed novels, or Pocket Books, are reissued editions of Earth’s classics, curated by GAIA to resonate with the settlers' lives. Western-themed novels are particularly popular, reflecting the settlers’ identification with frontier-like experiences. These books are distributed through Federal Libraries, one in each reservation, as part of the community's shared resources.
ExoHuman Cultural Products and Artistic Expressions in the Gamma Age
Art and culture in the Gamma Age are deeply influenced by the scarcity of resources and the prioritization of essential labor following the Great War. The Federal Confederation does not support professional artists, as all citizens are required to fulfill roles critical to the survival and sustainability of society. Under the Communard government led by Aisha Patel, the Federal Council established a unique policy to ensure cultural expression without detracting from the Confederation’s priorities.
Public Art and Cultural Expression
All public art is designed by the communal AI system, GAIA, and physically created by exohuman craftsmen. This approach ensures that art aligns with societal values while avoiding resource waste and the rise of “bohemian behavior,” such as stardom or celebrity culture. Art in this system remains a collective endeavor, fostering communal identity rather than individual fame. This policy reflects the Confederation’s focus on equality, utility, and sustainability, ensuring that cultural enrichment complements societal needs.
Amateur Contributions to Culture
Beyond government-directed public art, cultural contributions in the Gamma Age are made by amateurs who create in their limited free time. These individuals, driven by passion rather than profession, provide the vibrant cultural expressions that resonate deeply with ExoHuman communities:
- Jean Jacque Courtier (Writer): Author of the acclaimed novel Like Leaves From a Tree, a multigenerational saga chronicling the lives of settlers aboard the Last Frontier. This work has become a cornerstone of ExoHuman literature, reflecting themes of survival, adaptation, and identity.
- Sandra Yamamoto (Musician): Composer of the folk anthem Endless Days, a song emblematic of life in the Habitual Belt. Yamamoto’s music captures the resilience and collective spirit of ExoHumans in a harsh yet hopeful environment.
Through such works, cultural life thrives in the Gamma Age, driven by communal effort and individual creativity within the bounds of societal priorities. This balance ensures that art and culture remain vital parts of ExoHuman identity without compromising the Confederation's survival-focused ethos.
ExoHuman Sports and Exercise Culture
Limited space, resources, and labor shortages heavily regulate recreational activities. High-risk or equipment-intensive sports are prohibited. Instead, citizens are encouraged to engage in resource-light activities such as running, yoga, and gymnastics, fostering physical fitness without excessive resource consumption.
ExoHuman Games in the Gamma Age
With restrictions on physical sports, board games and other low-resource games have become popular:
- **Frostpunkt:** A simple dice game originating in Firetown’s mining community.
- **Twenty One**: A variant of Blackjack widely played in Firetown saloons, sometimes illicitly involving high stakes.
- **Zugzwang**: A sustainable two-player strategy game, easily adaptable with makeshift boards and pieces.
ExoHuman Rituals in the Gamma Age
Weddings
Weddings on VOI 700-D are much more modest than they used to be on Earth. Due to resource constraints, large private parties away from the three public holidays are frowned upon. That is why a wedding is more of a private ceremony of the couple getting married. The highlight of the ceremony is the official marriage of the couple at the Federal Administrative Service of New Kourou. As part of the marriage ceremony, each couple also swears once again to the constitution not to have more than two children. Since rings made of expensive metal, gold or silver are also not possible due to the scarcity of resources, couples now present each other with self-carved rings made of wood. Afterwards, the newlyweds usually go home to eat with their immediate family.
Funerals and cemeteries
Funeral rites vary by region:
- In the Habitual Belt, composting rituals mirror practices aboard the Last Frontier, transforming bodies into nutrient-rich soil.
- In the Region Ralar, bodies are cremated in the volcanic lava of Ralar, with personalized volcanic stones placed in remembrance.
Birth and Birth Rituals
Children are usually born at home, because the settlers do not have the resources and space for a specialized maternity hospital The mothers are supported by Midwives of the Federal Health Agency. The midwives are well trained, so the rate of successful birth is very high.