[Voice] Wan Shi Tong Asks You

[knowitowl]

[Bored Knowledge Spirit is bored. Today is the end of the month, and while before he had answered questions from others, today he has questions for everyone else! So those not too busy with other things will find the owl speaking at length about his chosen topic.]

Greetings Luceti.

While normally this would be the time for another session of 'Ask Wan Shi Tong', this time I have a question for you.

Before we were without a library, I have studied what literature was available on human customs, culture, and the like. Apparently in some versions of Earth, this day is considered a holiday. All Hallow's Eve, also known as Allhalloween, All Saint's Eve, or Halloween.

This holiday has religious origins but seems to have changed over the course of history. It seems that many cultures like to dress up their offspring in ridiculous costumes resembling spirits and demons, among other things. Then send them forth to collect pieces of condensed processed sugar which then result in dental problems. Plus it is also customary to hollow out and carve large rotund orange fruits.

Tell me, what are your thoughts, experiences, and opinions on this particular holiday? What is the point? Why do you humans find enjoyment in these activities?

And despite our current circumstances, please continue to send your questions for next month.

That is all.

[Action]

[Later on the that evening, anyone wandering around the village might see something unusual. A large 20 foot sheet ghost walking around. It will probably walk up to you and demand candy.

Also, once he is done with that phase of his Halloween research, he can be found near the shelter that Aang built for him. With a stash of any sugary sweets he managed to acquire. Plus a pumpkin he stole from the farmlands.]

Comments

[whiskytraitorfirefight]

[Written and voice here on out?]

Some people like the holiday because it's something different. It's a chance to dress up in a costume, pretend to be someone else. It's fun. Other people like it because there are a lot of scary things associated with the holiday, horror movies and haunted houses being the most prevalent, and part of the fun is getting scared.

[knowitowl]

[Sounds good to me!]

How is scaring one self, fun? Could you not do that any time of the year?

[whiskytraitorfirefight]

Sure, you can. You can watch horror movies whenever you want. As for why some people like being scared, there are a lot of different reasons. For some, it's a thing of bravery. Going to a scary movie or a haunted house, there's the expectation of being scared and they want to see if they can overcome that. There's also the group experience, going with friends, all having fun, making fun of each other.

It's also a controlled environment. When someone comes after you with a knife in a haunted house, they aren't going to hurt you. You can escape or they'll stop and everyone has a good laugh. Very different than someone on the street coming after you with a knife. No control, no safety.

Being scared also gets your adrenaline up.

[knowitowl]

So it is to fulfill one's social desires. I see.

And increasing one's adrenaline is... pleasurable?

[whiskytraitorfirefight]

To a degree. Fight or flight, fills you with energy. It's like people that enjoy sky diving or bungee jumping or any kind of extreme sport. Rush of excitement, feeling alive. Man's way of tempting fate by defying death.

[knowitowl]

Considering your short lifespan, testing the limits of your mortality seems a bit foolish.

[whiskytraitorfirefight]

We're fools for adventure. We build, we fail, we try again. We fall, we live, we have a good laugh.

[knowitowl]

Hm. The ways of humans are confusing.

[whiskytraitorfirefight]

Indeed. Unique and yet uniform in some ways.