( video )

[rediscovers]

Who: Michael Burnham and You
Broadcast: Video
Action: SS Bishop
When: Right now!

[ strange is a small word for the situations she finds herself in. and as such, michael doesn't use it very often. strange implies a limited amount of imagination and that's never been a problem for her. despite her logical background, michael takes to new possibilities like a fish to water. she went through the old logs, the records. made notes of the data she's collected.

but she can't remain in the background and assume she can do this all by herself. ]

Hello. My name is Commander Michael Burnham of the USS Discovery. I'm currently assigned to the SS Bishop. I recognize that this is a difficult situation but I hope to have your continued cooperation as we find a way to escape these chains. I am a xenoanthropologist and I study cultures.

As such, would you be willing to share a piece of yours? I can tell you a little of mine. I was raised on a desert planet by a species known as Vulcans. They pride logic above all else and focus on the pursuit of knowledge and truth.

Comments

[rediscovers]

[ another android? interesting. ]

I'm assuming by prototype, you were created?

[unbearablynaive]

I was. I've been active for about six years now, between my time and home and here.

[rediscovers]

That's quite remarkable.

[ she's not sure how long an android could survive for but she imagined them to have not much in terms of longevity. ]

[unbearablynaive]

Thank you.

[There are so many things remarkable with his own existence, he doesn't even bother to clarify which part.]

I find xenoanthropology to be an excellent idea. Perhaps I'll pursue it myself once we have more regular contact with other cultures. May I ask what prompted you to choose the field?

[rediscovers]

Being part of two cultures encouraged me to seek out similarities and differences in others.

Culture connects all of us. And it is connections that Starfleet seeks out.

[unbearablynaive]

Ah, I thought Vulcan sounded familiar. I was good friends with a Starfleet officer here some years ago, and she was very accepting of others and their differences. I hope the humans of my own Earth can find their way to something similar in time - I find their commitment to ideals exemplary.

I suppose for me it is that I lack my own culture, and must try to fit in where I may.

[rediscovers]

[ she blinks. ]

You lack your own culture?

[unbearablynaive]

Technically, I am an American. But I am too obviously not human to be easily accepted, and few have made the effort.

In many ways, I have found this Fleet to be more of a home.

[rediscovers]

[ ah. michael takes a moment. ]

Culture doesn't need to be collective. It can be something unique to yourself.

[unbearablynaive]

I suppose so.

[He smiles lightly. She would know, if she's the expert.]

In that case, my personal culture would consist of gardening, consuming media with friends, exploring the new systems we encounter, and lately I've been painting as well.

[rediscovers]

[ michael smile, the light of stars in her dark eyes. ]

Those are hobbies. What about who you are as a person?

[unbearablynaive]

[Pff, that's a much harder question.]

Hmm. I like to help people. I like to find beauty in my situation. I'm not afraid to fight to protect others. Is that the sort of thing you mean?

[rediscovers]

It's certainly a start.

When I say culture, I'm using the term in its broadest sense. How it is interpreted remains on the individual.

[unbearablynaive]

[He still looks like he's thinking pretty hard about this.]

I wonder if each of the ships has a microculture--ah, my apologies, I've just never thought of looking at all this from an anthropological viewpoint before, and I quite like the idea. I think you should have an easy time conducting field research here, if you like.

[rediscovers]

[ michael grins. ]

No need to apologize at all. I have no doubt each ship has their own customs and ideas.

[unbearablynaive]

[Oh good, people tend to get scared off when he goes Full nerd. He smiles back, a bit sheepishly.]

I hope you have a good time learning about them.

[rediscovers]

I'm sure I will. It never gets old, as it were.

[unbearablynaive]

How could it, with something new to learn every day? I begin to wish my society had enough contact with other cultures to offer that field of study.

[rediscovers]

You will, in time.

For now, I'm sure you have plenty of access. You might as well make the most of it.

[unbearablynaive]

Thank you. I'll certainly try.

[rediscovers]

I hope so.