knowitowl | [Voice] Wan Shi Tong Asks You

[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.]

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Halloween was my favorite holiday as a kid. Something about getting to dress up as monsters and stuff myself was sweets was just too cool to pass up.

These days, I'm not as into it, but believe it or not, there's a world out there where it's Halloween every day. And it's filled with real monsters, skeletons, ghosts... You name it. Seriously, the place is actually called Halloween Town.

[There is a bit of static and he appears to be trudging through a cave currently]

Uh, candy is delicious point one. You get to dress up in cool costumes, or like funny ones, point two. There are girls wearing sexy costumes, point three.

[It buzzes out for a moment before coming back in]

I mean, that is seriously awesome, who could even argue?

Anyway, you also have license to scare people and take their candy if they don't have a good enough grip on it... that alone is totally awesome.

Edited 2014-10-31 17:06 (UTC)

So then this is a custom that is merely beneficial for the children and then eventually outgrown?

Intriguing. Though wouldn't celebrating the same holiday every day be a bit... mundane

...

But you dress in a costume every day.

Edited 2014-10-31 17:44 (UTC)

What's the point? Because it's fun. Creative costumes, candy, fun parties, horror movies, haunted houses, it's just another way to enjoy yourself, live a little. Be someone else for a day.

...alright well you got me there. My other points still stand though!

Well, some adults still dress up for the fun of it, but they'll usually throw parties instead of going door to door. Plus you have horror movies and ghost stories... There's still ways to celebrate. It's just how you do it that changes.

And I guess it'd get stale after a while, but I don't think they care. Sora once told me that one of their residents tried to run Christmas, but it kinda blew up in his face.

I do not understand.

I do not see the point in scaring one self for entertainment.

Christmas you say? The holiday that humans can not decide on whether to celebrate it for the birth of a religious icon or an overly cheerful fat man that gives gifts?

So, causing premature tooth decay is fun? Are receiving dental fillings part of a rite of passage?

[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.

It is called toothpaste man, with sugar neutralizing agents. Seriously, did someone remove the have fun portion of your personality, or were you just born without it?

[Sounds good to me!]

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

What isn't to understand about Halloween? Humans can sense a change in the natural world as much as you or I can, Wan Shi Tong. That is, in large part, the origins of the custom.

It's a celebration of the end of the growing season, and the harvest. And a weakening of the barrier between the spirit world and the mortal one. Hence the costumes.

I...rather like it.

Edited 2014-10-31 18:28 (UTC)

I am a spirit. My definition of "fun" differs from yours.

Hm. It is conveniently placed at that time of year. I suppose that does make some sense.

You enjoy celebrating human holidays?

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.

Oh I love Halloween! It's one of my favorite holidays actually. I enjoy it because of its lore and origins, really. The candy is nice, but I do like seeing the traditions carried on, even if they're different now. Pumpkin carving isn't used to keep away spirits but it's still immensely fun.

[ Helios does love his pumpkin carving. He filled the entire lawn with them last year. ]

Try and it you may, I say, try it and you may.

[If Dr.Seuss couldn't get through to the owl nothing could]

How is carving a large species of squash, enjoyable? What do you benefit from it? Why not a different fruit? Is it because that is the crop of the season?

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

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

I have no interest in participating in human social activities.

[Welp.]

Although, if the opportunity did present itself. I might... observe.

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.

Yet you are perfectly fine launching me across the enclosure for no good reason. And you wonder why people don't like you?

[Wow that came out of nowhere.]

I was under the influence of darkness at the time. Also, I do not care if I am liked or not.

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