A representation of 'other' societies..?

[Oob]

Without getting too deep into a 'sociological analysis' of the Cantr world, it's interesting to try and imagine 'other' societies in what is already a unique 'other' type of simulated society. Having ideas of how things could be different is one thing, how to change how things are is quite another I guess. Unlike the real world Cantr appears to exist without money commonly being used, for whatever reason, as Rumaan says maybe a common monetery system never will exist.

As a relative newcomer I have difficulties visualising the 'reality that is Cantr', it seems like a strange place with its own rules, laws (think physical laws) and principles that effect the inhabitants of the Cantr world.. a weird place where there's no night time, notes are pushed (along the ground?) locks are picked not using delicate manipulation of skeleton keys but with a crowbar.. surely that's lock destruction not lock picking! And many other examples of Cantr weirdness!!

.. but anyway what do I know

So is it possible to describe 'Cantr reality' for beginners so we can understand the place?

[curious]

I guess... I don't have so much of a problem with how Cantr 'works' (physically or otherwise). I think, with obvious imposed limits... for instance being 'born' with language and concepts etc) my characters simply try and know what they see first, and rely on brute facts to learn the world as quickly as they can... even if that is wondering what a tomato is, but extending the concept of it to other things with a 'leap of faith'... if that makes sense?

my curiosity now though... rest firmly in the belief that, if the limits of the 'real' world were lifted from us... we would actually begin to look more like Cantrians..? I likes the analogy above to 'office politics' in a description of Cantr... This works for me.

As an aside... i tried to make a character who was a horrible bastard, but find it difficult to sustain.. to be honest. I guess if the real world changed... I would just remain vulnerable.

[Crosshair]

The main thing I notice about this is that since Character descriptions have come in, most young women are supposed to be stunningly beautiful. Thick flowing locks of hair and lovely complexions, smiles like pearls etc... Kinda makes me laugh, so I've made a few pot bellied and unsightly characters.

[SekoETC]

It bugs me a bit when characters show no signs of aging so I've been sure to add some for mine. They might age more slowly than in real life, especially if they're happy, but hardships tend to age them. You frown a lot and you get wrinkles, and worrying gives you gray hair. A few of my characters also smell.

[Crosshair]

I change some of my character descriptions for short term things, like clothes getting tattered from journeys, and beards growing... and I RP repairs and shaving. Also, I have longer term things like scars from injuries, or tanning from being in hot places...

[Snickie]

Depending on the location and the condition of the character, I will edit my character descriptions accordingly. For example: when Snick was faint, I edited in really pale skin and heat radiating from her; then added a little colour back to her complexion, took away the radiating heat, and added the appearance of sweat (as if a fever had just broke); and eventually all that was left was dark circles under her eyes, which went away also. I also, since she ate significantly more, added a few pounds....
Another keeps getting attacked by animals, which means I have added in the appearance of various scars from animal attacks. That was a downgrade from the original specificity I had set up, seeing as it takes up a lot of room to describe each of twenty-something scars, and it gets rather repetitive to read.

None of my characters are old enough yet to experience the effects of aging yet (my oldest two are barely twenty-three), but rest assured that when they reach that age, they'll look it. If you know what I mean.

[Eleiris]

I'm also new at Cantr, and I honestly don't believe it's a society simulator at all, it lacks a huge deal of complexity, and most of the bases in which a society consists.
Someone mentioned the public, omniscient sleeping. Huge factor.
The lack of blood ties and family (actual family) relationships. The lack of childhood; going through the stages of matureness and absorbing your environment is a key factor in the conception of a society.
The most important factor I think is the absolute absence of inner culture. It just has eclectic odds and ends, inevitably tainted by internet's globalized pseudo-culture.
The fact that you're born at the age of twenty, which I presume is so that you already know the basics, such as speaking, was a bit confusing for me at first. (Mainly because I was trying to be as realistic as I could: for example, I am bilingual since I have a memory, 'cause I spent some of my early years in Brasil.) So you already speak one language when you're born, but hey, just one!

I find Cantr very interesting though. The way I'd describe it would be as a collective epic novel (with rules and invariable premises, strictly necessary for the purpose).
CANTR IS THE NEVERENDING STORY. (I even have a character named in it's honor).
Cantr is constant narration, constant use of imagination.
It's Kantian reality itself! Where each person sees things the way that comes natural to them.

If it actually was a society simulator, I don't think I'd be this interested.

PD (or PS)1: I don't know if I breached a rule saying that about my character?
PD2: I understand the whole language deal now, I was a little annoyed at first, but I get it. Sometimes you need arbitrary rules to get things running.