[Affric]

Beautiful piece, with a great closer (not reproduced here, you should go with it).

I do wonder if our society would be better if we had more honourifics and formality. China has instituted social media rules based on qualifications. Many indigenous societies have forms of secret and sacred knowledge.

I think too many people are concerned with the abuse of these sorts of social systems when we already live in a system of value that is rife with abuse.

[rKarpinski]

> I do wonder if our society would be better if we had more honourifics and formality. China has instituted social media rules based on qualifications. Many indigenous societies have forms of secret and sacred knowledge.

In the US we administer a test at age 16 that determines lifetime "qualifications" and access to "secret and sacred knowledge". How much further is there to even go on that front? Back to inherited nobility?

[Affric]

I don't know if you're being flippant but the information at universities is neither secret nor sacred. Sure, there is a stupid price for academic journals but most of it can be found freely on the internet.

Eldership, acceptance into a hierarchy based on deeds and demonstrated virtue within a relatively small social grouping that does not recognize the value of money is, I believe, worthwhile. And the socially formal recognition, not easily won nor necessarily expected from anyone who has not been permitted to give it perhaps recognises that our society has values and that you are still expected to grow, even as an adult.

[pavel_lishin]

What test?