Change the term Middle Passage

[pzmcgwire]

I've noticed that the term Middle Passage has a negative connotation. Has there been any thought to changing the term to something different like Basic Passage.

I know the hierarchy of High, Middle, Low Passage is logical, but keeping a term like this could be somewhat problematical.

 

[Original_Carl]

What if the term "High Passage" referred to being in a heavily-drugged state to avoid the soul-crushing boredom of interstellar travel in addition to being an analog for First Class?

 

[coliver988]

so low passage is for those with the blues?

 

[Condottiere]

Cattle class.

High passage would be a rave and get fed ecstasy.

 

[ShawnDriscoll]

I've noticed that the term Middle Passage has a negative connotation. Has there been any thought to changing the term to something different like Basic Passage.

I know the hierarchy of High, Middle, Low Passage is logical, but keeping a term like this could be somewhat problematical.

Boring Passage.

 

[mike wightman]

I would like to know how middle passage has a negative connotation, that is completely new to me.
How about 1st class, business class, and cattle class

 

[ThornPlutonius]

I've noticed that the term Middle Passage has a negative connotation. Has there been any thought to changing the term to something different like Basic Passage.

I know the hierarchy of High, Middle, Low Passage is logical, but keeping a term like this could be somewhat problematical.

I don't perceive any negative connotation associated with middle passage. What about it is negative, according to your perspective?

"We guarantee you will arrive in good shape" class, "You'll arrive, but wish you'd not made the trip" class, and "Thank you for ensuring your insurance premiums are paid" class.

 

[atpollard]

I don't perceive any negative connotation associated with middle passage. What about it is negative, according to your perspective?

Given the desire of the ship to fill with First Class passengers and pad the empty cabins with Middle Class passages, and the ability of a First Class passenger to "bump" a Middle Class passenger, Middle Class really is analogous to flying on "stand-by". So it does have a slight negative connotation.

The rules offer too little actual differentiation between High and Middle passage.

 

[Condottiere]

If you're stuck twelve days on a starship, compared to twelve hours on a plane, it's closer to a cruise.

You can term high passage accommodation suites, and middle passage cabins premium business.

 

[ThornPlutonius]

Given the desire of the ship to fill with First Class passengers and pad the empty cabins with Middle Class passages, and the ability of a First Class passenger to "bump" a Middle Class passenger, Middle Class really is analogous to flying on "stand-by". So it does have a slight negative connotation.

The rules offer too little actual differentiation between High and Middle passage.

I suppose one could just redefine the conditions of Middle Passage so that such passengers cannot be bumped. Or, at least, make it a variable trait that depends upon the individual passenger service. Different ships/shipping outfits have different rules, much like modern air travel.

 

[pzmcgwire]

Middle Passage

Link to BING search for "Middle Passage"

 

[Epee]

"Middle Passage" is the term used to denote the shipping of enslaved Africans across the Atlantic Ocean. I assume "Middle" was used as overland, shorter passages were used going to and leaving the various ports involved.

It represented the most brutal, dehumanizing, lethal and irrevocable segment in the journey to becoming a slave in the New World.

 

[mike wightman]

That is the first time I have ever seen that particular meaning, just looked up the Wikipedia article.

I think you are massively conflating different terms.

Slavery is explicitly banned within the Third Imperium setting and I doubt very much that GDW used the term to denote anything more than second class travel on a starship. Further discussion would be in breech of board rules on modern politics.

 

[slugoz12]

I think it's safe to say that Traveller is not a game about shipping people from Africa to the new world. Middle passage fits logically between High and Low passage for travel between the stars in the far future. Maybe as a compromise we can rename ocean travel on Earth in Sol system Middle passage to something different?

 

[Condottiere]

Yeah, I thought I remembered secondary school history correctly.

Middle passage is the second leg of the voyage of the slaving ship, not actual accommodations.

 

[Fovean]

Yes, the “Middle Passage” is completely different to “Middle passage” as being discussed here.

MgT 2e offers the following passages, or tickets:

Low (cryogenic berth)
Basic (steerage or economy class)
Working (standard in exchange for labor)
Middle (standard or business class)
High (luxury or first class)

Cheers

 

[pzmcgwire]

It's a distasteful term if you are familiar with history and I don't use it in MTU.

A lot of terms you used to be able to use in the past are not acceptable anymore.

 

[McPerth]

I've noticed that the term Middle Passage has a negative connotation. Has there been any thought to changing the term to something different like Basic Passage.

I know the hierarchy of High, Middle, Low Passage is logical, but keeping a term like this could be somewhat problematical.

I don't see any negative connotation in Middle Class Passage (though the world Class is usually skipped, as also uses to be in High and Low Class Passages)...

 

[ThornPlutonius]

It's a distasteful term if you are familiar with history and I don't use it in MTU.

A lot of terms you used to be able to use in the past are not acceptable anymore.

It may be a distasteful term to you, but it is not distasteful to me. I understand the difference in meaning. if we stop using all words/terms that someone sometime used in a way that meant something "bad", then we will run out of words and communication will be crippled. I think it is better to understand and embrace the concept of "context" than it is to drown our ability to communicate in a sea of too-rigid definitions.

 

[bookwyrm]

I have come across a number of words in my life that meant one thing in the past and is now used for the opposite or totally different meanings in the present times. and any of these words can unknowingly cause a problem during a conversation. maybe.

personally, I don't see Middle, or Mid, Passage disappearing from the OTU, and I don't personally have a problem with it. on the other hand, concerning the OP, you are free to use a term you are comfortable with in YTU so that you can continue playing and enjoying Traveller.

plus, I want to thank everyone who posted with their thoughtful replies. we all might have our differences with some part of the TU, but we all agree the TU is a fun place to be.