Lawful Bors Explained: A Beginner’s Guide
The internet is a strange and wondrous place, a digital landscape teeming with memes, inside jokes, and evolving subcultures. Among these digital denizens, the “Lawful Bor” stands out as a particularly intriguing figure, often misunderstood and misrepresented. This comprehensive guide aims to dissect the Lawful Bor, exploring its origins, characteristics, common misconceptions, and its place within the broader context of online humor and communication.
I. The Genesis of the Bor:
Before delving into the Lawful aspect, we must first understand the “Bor” itself. The term originates from the Danish word “bør,” meaning “children” or “should.” Its online usage, however, stems from a now-infamous Twitch stream featuring streamer Vinesauce Vinny playing RimWorld. During this playthrough, Vinny encountered a character named “Bo,” which his text-to-speech software consistently mispronounced as “Bor.” This mispronunciation, coupled with the character’s in-game actions and Vinny’s commentary, quickly gained traction within his community and spread across the internet.
“Bor” became a memetic catchphrase, used to express a variety of emotions, from amusement to frustration, often accompanied by an image macro featuring the RimWorld character. It represents a blend of absurdity, unexpectedness, and a shared understanding within specific online communities.
II. The Alignment System and the Emergence of Lawful Bor:
To understand “Lawful Bor,” we need to look at the Dungeons & Dragons alignment chart. This system categorizes characters based on their ethical and moral compass, ranging from Lawful Good to Chaotic Evil. The chart provides a framework for understanding character motivations and actions, and it became a popular tool for analyzing fictional characters and even real-life personalities.
The application of this alignment system to the already memetic “Bor” led to the creation of various “aligned Bors.” Among these, “Lawful Bor” gained particular prominence. The concept of a “Lawful Bor” plays on the inherent absurdity of applying a structured moral framework to a meme born from random chance and mispronunciation.
III. Defining the Lawful Bor:
The Lawful Bor is typically characterized by a strict adherence to rules, regulations, and established procedures, often to a comical and exaggerated degree. This unwavering commitment to order and structure contrasts sharply with the chaotic and unpredictable nature of the original “Bor” meme, creating a humorous juxtaposition. Key characteristics of the Lawful Bor include:
- Respect for Authority: Lawful Bors hold authority figures in high regard and are unlikely to question their directives. This can manifest as unwavering obedience to even the most nonsensical rules.
- Rule Following: Rules are not merely guidelines for the Lawful Bor; they are the very foundation of their existence. They will meticulously follow instructions, even if it leads to absurd or counterproductive outcomes.
- Order and Structure: Lawful Bors thrive in environments with clearly defined hierarchies and predictable routines. Chaos and disorder are their greatest adversaries.
- Predictability: Their actions are often easily anticipated due to their strict adherence to established patterns and protocols. This predictability itself becomes part of the humor associated with the character.
- A Sense of Justice (Often Misguided): While driven by a desire to maintain order, their interpretation of justice can be rigid and inflexible, leading to humorous misapplications of rules and regulations.
IV. Lawful Bor in Practice: Examples and Scenarios:
To better illustrate the concept, let’s explore some hypothetical scenarios showcasing the Lawful Bor in action:
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Scenario 1: The Library: A Lawful Bor in a library would not only adhere to the rules of silence but might also meticulously organize returned books alphabetically, even if it isn’t their job. They might even shush someone for breathing too loudly.
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Scenario 2: Playing a Game: In a board game, a Lawful Bor would meticulously follow every rule, even if it puts them at a disadvantage. They would refuse to bend or break the rules, even for strategic advantage, finding inherent value in playing “by the book.”
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Scenario 3: Driving: A Lawful Bor driver would scrupulously observe all traffic laws, even to the point of slowing down below the speed limit in perfect weather conditions, simply because the sign dictates it.
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Scenario 4: Online Interactions: In online discussions, a Lawful Bor might correct minor grammatical errors or point out deviations from established forum rules, often with excessive formality and a complete lack of irony.
These examples highlight the core comedic element of the Lawful Bor: the juxtaposition of strict adherence to rules with the absurdity of the situation.
V. Misconceptions and Nuances:
It’s crucial to differentiate Lawful Bor from other related concepts:
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Not Simply “Being a Good Person”: Lawful Bor is not synonymous with being morally good. Their actions are motivated by adherence to rules, not necessarily by altruism or empathy. A Lawful Bor might uphold a discriminatory rule simply because it is a rule, even if it leads to negative consequences.
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Not Just “Following the Rules”: While rule-following is a core component, Lawful Bor goes beyond simple compliance. It embodies a zealous and often exaggerated dedication to order and structure, making it a distinct character archetype.
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Not Inherently Boring: The humor in Lawful Bor derives from the unexpected application of rigid structure to often chaotic situations. This contrast creates a comedic tension that can be quite entertaining.
VI. Lawful Bor in the Wider Internet Culture:
The Lawful Bor, like many internet memes, serves multiple functions within online communities:
- Shared Language: It provides a shorthand for describing specific behaviors and personality types, facilitating communication and understanding among those familiar with the meme.
- Humor and Satire: It allows for humorous commentary on societal norms and expectations, particularly regarding rules and authority.
- Community Building: The shared understanding of the Lawful Bor concept fosters a sense of belonging and camaraderie within online groups.
- Character Creation and Roleplaying: It offers a framework for creating engaging and humorous characters in online games and roleplaying scenarios.
VII. The Evolution and Future of Lawful Bor:
As with all internet memes, the Lawful Bor is constantly evolving. New interpretations, variations, and applications emerge as online communities continue to engage with the concept. Its future likely involves further integration into online gaming, roleplaying, and other forms of digital interaction. The core concept of a rigid adherence to rules in absurd situations, however, will likely remain central to its enduring appeal.
VIII. Conclusion:
The Lawful Bor, a seemingly simple internet meme, reveals a complex interplay of humor, social commentary, and community interaction. It demonstrates the internet’s ability to transform random occurrences into shared cultural touchstones, providing a language for understanding and expressing shared experiences. By understanding its origins, characteristics, and nuances, we can appreciate the Lawful Bor not just as a humorous meme, but as a reflection of the ever-evolving landscape of online culture. It reminds us that even in the seemingly chaotic world of the internet, there is a place for order, structure, and perhaps, a touch of absurdity. This guide aims to provide a foundation for understanding this multifaceted online phenomenon and its place within the broader context of internet humor and communication. As the internet continues to evolve, so too will the Lawful Bor, adapting and changing to reflect the ever-shifting dynamics of online communities.