translated from the original Zarfenese

Thank you for joining me today gentlemen, on what I hope to be the first in a series of informative lectures regarding the development of certain subsets of the species known as 'homosapiens', throughout the latter part of the 21st century.

Interesting to note, is that these subsets evolved (or perhaps 'devolved', if you'll indulge me) over a remarkably small period of time, and in response to sociatal pressures rather than to challenges provided by their physical world, as is generally the driving cause of change within this species.

https://imgur.com/a/Frx1JJU

Gentlemen, if you will, please refer to the photo in front of you. You'll see a male of breeding age, however his build and proportions are that of a fledgling or 'child' of his species, lacking both the muscle tone and bone density typically found in males this age. He stands beside a child of the same species, however I shall do him the honor of first assessment - an honor which I suspect may be all too rare in his personal experience.

I realise of course, that many of you may not be familiar with the manner of dress in which this species indulges themselves - after all, most of us have not played with a human doll since we were a few hundred years old! - but I assure you that the costumes you'll remember fondly from your youth do not represent the standard outfit. I will attempt to provide such commentary as I am able. 

The outfit chosen is flimsy, weak and unimpressive - denoting neither status nor boasting abilities of a utilitarian fashion. Again, a parrelel can be made to the children of this species, adorned such as they generally are in garments that are likely disposable by design, due to their rapid growth during the early stages.

But I digress, and we shall return our attention to the unfortunate specimen who composes one half of today's case study. Note the way the facial hair forms a single 'band' across his neck (rather charmingly known as a 'neck beard' in the cultural nomenclature. Typically boorish in its description, but such is the appeal of humanity!), fascinatingly he is both aware of the deficiencies in his masculinity (as evidenced by his removing what were no doubt patchy and lacking areas of facial cover) yet seeks to signal his virility via this poorly conceived and worse still executed growth.

His expression - teeth exposed with no real joy shown, eyes wide with panic - denotes an anxiety; unused to attention and desperate not to disappoint, his stance speaks further of his uncertainty and weakness. 

And finally we arrive at the hair growing atop his head - not a natural coloring tho I'm sure you'd be forgiven for assuming such, as plumage of this hue so delightfully captures his particular 'brand' - or at least it will, I suppose, once it's faded a shade or 2 and is weaker.

No, interestingly this colour was chosen by the child standing beside him - a child whose education was momentarily entrusted in the hands of our brittle friend. Said colour is in fact the result of this same relationship - as he used the promise of allowing the child control over his physical appearance as a means to 'bribe' her to complete her lessons! Of course to a Zarfling, such an idea seems absurd, but this specimen is so lacking in natural authority he must make deals with his lessers in order to ensure their compliance! Truly, does the mind boggle.

Which brings us to the smaller of our 2 specimens.

While her garb is nothing out of the ordinary (note the similarity to that of her companion), I would point out the slogan emblazoned thereon: a peculiar concept gaining popularity among the more affluent of this species, one must assume due to the decreasing efforts required for 'successful' modern living. Of course, the sustainability of these details is highly debatable but that's a topic for another lecture.

While her grin communicates pleasure at her victory, what's most noteworthy is her reactive, almost defensive posture toward our previously discussed 'male' - 'get away!', her body cries, as she hunches herself inward. 'Leave me be, fool, you are weak and your weakness may well kill this tribe!'

Of course, as fellow Zarflings I'm sure you're asking: where is the practical merit to this line of inquiry? How can this knowledge advance our species in our unending quest for galactic supremacy? Well my friends, I tell you this: it is no longer enough to study the ways of strength, of warfare and violence - we must now turn our sight toward weakness, toward vapidity and deficiency. These are tools, and perhaps represent a new type of battlefield: one, perhaps, where it is no longer necessary to engage our enemies directly

Perhaps we can win by allowing them to defeat themselves.