video ; un: echo

[individualized]

As is usual when I turn to this device, I have a query to ask of you.

Due to the odd prevalence of them as of late, I have found myself wondering: Why are children so juvenile? Is there any particular purpose to them or their behavior? Would it not be better for all involved to avoid this state altogether?

[She may speak in an almost deadpan manner, but it's pretty clear Echo's asking this with 100% interest and sincerity.

She gives a quick bow of her head.]

Thank you.

Comments

un: eudaimonikos; video

[eudaimonikos]

I know, right? But they can't really help it. It's like a larval stage.

video | un: badgerlock

[listenyouidiot]

I've met plenty of grown men just as juvenile their own children, and without a child's innocence as an excuse for it.

[seated at a workbench in the little study in his cottage, Fitz's attention is mostly on some project he is working on with his hands out of view of his omni's camera. seems like he's just checking the network to give himself something else to do while carrying out the more mundane aspects of this task.]

Some creatures come into the world with all the knowledge they need to survive, but humans--if we can still be called humans--aren't one of them. Is that not how life is, where you're from?

video; un: polaris

[anbaric]

In my world, there is a measurable difference between childhood and adulthood. However, a period of juvenile behaviour is common to many species with or without higher consciousness. I am not a scholar of biological studies, but the most likely explanation is that it takes time and resources for highly complex physical structures to form. In the meantime, simplistic childhood behaviours teach valuable experiences that will matter later.

Video; UN: Godisstilldead

[in_loveless_memory]

I've met plenty of children more mature than plenty of adults.

But it's because developmentally our brains are still expanding and growing and developing thus things that allow for responsible decision making are not as developed. And there is a wide difference between intelligence and experiences that also result in a person's abilities.

There is not a single creature short of single-celled organisms that are fully developed as soon as they are born or created.

Why, were you just "created" as is, fully developed and fully capable of advanced thought?

un: hydrakeeper

[bankvault]

If I remember my lessons from school right, that juvenile behavior is how a brain grows and learns about interactions with others and their environment. Most grow out of it eventually, others do not. Most every bird and mammal goes through a similar process.

While it might be more convenient to skip over that stage, as of yet that's not actually possible for most!

video | un: ilikemeat (discussion of canon-typical underage drinking)

[velvet_teen]

Why don't you try it out and see if there's anything to it? That's how I found out about alcohol.

video; un: ushiromiya

[entreats]

[ Does Ange kind of figure why Echo is asking this, given.. the way Echo is? Yes.

Is she still going to give a deadpan answer?

Also yes. ]

Do you just want people to be born completely grown? That's going to hurt.

text | un: shithog

[foulhussy]

because their children

fucking duh

video; un:rosestorm

[thunderingcourage]

Not all kids are brats, but there's nothing wrong with a kid being a kid either. It's supposed to be a time in your life when you can just have fun and anything is supposed to be possible.

[individualized]

I thought such stages were intended to aid in transformative growth. The process doesn't seem to be necessary for people as they remain roughly the same throughout their lives.

[individualized]

Possibly. I did not fully understand everything when I left there.

I do agree that some who are considered adults have very annoying behavior as well. [Her expression noticeably darkens, which is a pretty big deal for how emotionless she usually seems. She's obviously got particular examples in mind.]

But it seems to be much more prevalent in younger individuals.

[individualized]

As in they will learn to not behave that way by doing so? That seems counterproductive.

[individualized]

Yes, there are many annoying adults...

[The frown she gets says she's definitely thinking of some she's known.]

I see. I have found that particular experiences or encounters can be very influential. It does not necessarily accompany childish behavior however.

With everything that was considered necessary for my purpose, yes.

[individualized]

I know from experience that growth is possible without those behaviors. But I have also seen those who have never seemed to improve.

It seems like it would benefit a species to adapt to not include that process, then.

[anbaric]

Who determines the standard of what is mature or acceptable? You would end up with a very homogenous population, which is a risky strategy. What do you do if your world drastically changes between generations?

The point is in the value of experience and simply starting up with some sort of baseline knowledge is no better than me handing someone a dictionary and asking them to have a conversation. They have all the words in their hand, and given time they can probably string them together into something with meaning, but they will never be the same as someone who immerses themselves in it and learns it by experiencing it.

[eudaimonikos]

...have you actually met a child before?

[bankvault]

Unfortunately adaption takes many generations, and the average human generation is about twenty years. I don't think it's something we're going to be able to get away from any time soon.

I understand the current rash of children will most likely change to become adults soon enough, and this is some form of magical effect. I hope you can tolerate it until then.

[individualized]

.....

I fail to see how that's possible or what I would learn from it. Also...why would you be trying alcohol?

[individualized]

Why would it? Most experiences can happen at any age and have similar effects.

[She's not thinking about it from that angle yet, sorry Ange.]

[individualized]

That is not an explanation.

[individualized]

Oh, true. Learning about "fun" is very important. I have not seen much about these behaviors that might be considered fun, however.

[individualized]

I would not want every to be the same, particularly if they are annoying. I have not given much thought to the events in a long period of time.

I do know that experiences are very important and the best way to gather information. I do not see why it must include immaturity, though. The same effects would be possible regardless.

[individualized]

[She thinks for just a second.]

Yes.

[Sorry Michael, she still hasn't finished learning that giving more information is standard even if it's not asked for.]

[eudaimonikos]

[..........

oh, that's it]

They really aren't that much like adults, in my experience.

[individualized]

Twenty years is still a long time though.

I have noticed odd things tend to occur for a month or so, yes. It's certainly preferable to this continuing. But I was able to realize I was uninformed on this subject from this experience.