Cultural Taxonomy
Written by Simon Allmer
The Allmerian Cultural Taxonomy is a hierarchical system to understand the building blocks of all human and certain animal cultures. It offers a practical categorisation of endeavours, separated from biological instincts.
The Five Ranks
Order
Total Number (Current Estimate): 12
Example: Communication
The most general classification that separates it from other orders. It establishes the requirements for all lower ranks.
In the example of communication, this includes: sender, message, medium, receiver and feedback.
Family
Total Number (Current Estimate): 144
Example: Oral Communication
A narrower selection within an order that specifies how that order might be performed.
Technique
Total Number (Current Estimate): 1728
Example: Speaking
A Technique within a Family is functional, transmittable and, in certain usages, recursive.
For example one can speak about speaking, collect collections but not hide the hidden, making only the first two cultural techniques.
Form
Total Number (Current Estimate): > 20 000
Example: Public Speaking
Individual form within a technique.
Subform
Total Number (Current Estimate): > 250 000
Example: Motivational Public Speaking.
Specific usage of a form. Subforms are not solid, as new ones emerge while others die out.
Categories for Cultural Techniques
Solitary Techniques
Can be performed by one person alone.
Flexible Techniques
Can be performed by one person or multiple people.
Collaborative Techniques
Require the participation of two or more people.
Level of Abstraction
None (Physical)
These techniques involve direct physical action and interaction with the material world. They are concrete and tangible, with little to no abstraction.
Partial (Representational)
These techniques involve a mix of physical actions and abstract thinking. They often include symbolic or representational elements, requiring both concrete skills and some level of interpretation or creativity.
Full (Conceptual)
These techniques are primarily based on abstract thinking and intellectual processes. They involve high levels of abstraction and often deal with ideas, theories, and concepts rather than physical actions.
Examples of Cultural Techniques:
Collecting
Writing
Meditating
Tiling
Placing
Assembling
Throwing
Deploying
Conceiling
Collecting
Unifying
Federating
Masking
Notes
A comprehensive table of the entire known cultural taxonomy will be published in 2025.
Simon Allmer is part of the Ludological Symposium at the University of Applied Arts Vienna in which the Cultural Techniques in games are defined for the first time.
New publications can be found on the following website: www.ludology.uni-ak.ac.at
