"Mr. Gandhi, what do you think about western civilisation?" "I think it would be a good idea" - dunno why this quote came to my mind when I read the title of the latest Earth and Beyond feature over at Westwood's official site: "Terran Culture", but anyhow, here's a clip:
Wealth is the driving force behind Terran culture. Those who don't have wealth are trying to accumulate it, and those who have it are trying to get more. Four major corporations are inextricably tied to all Terran dealings, and numerous minor corporations are involved as well.
Major families, or "houses," control each of the corporations and play a large part in Terran society as well. The two major houses are House MacGregor, which operates InfinitiCorp., and House Naverre, which operates the Good Earth Trading Company (GetCo). Other major houses are Obata and Orsini. The major houses all have their own security forces and space fleets, and in the case of MacGregor and Naverre, colonies as well.
The Terran tendency toward accumulation of wealth has also produced a culture that is extremely materialistic, with ever-present displays of ostentation and extravagance. Terrans judge each other by how much they have, how well they can show it off, and who they know.
Social functions, trends, fads, and gossip all play a large part in Terran life. While all these factors are to a large degree influenced by the corporate presence and marketing, Terrans also pride themselves on their unpredictability. Many a fad has progressed from a simple extravagance into a planet-wide obsession that would baffle a Progen or Jenquai with its insensibility. |
Earth And Beyond: Terran Culture
