THE ERNOTH

The social order that exists between all emoths is incredibly complex. There are countless parallel and overlapping hierarchies within which emoths are all constantly gaining or losing power. Because they are all more or less the same, when an emoth elevates its status it is through sheer confidence. Likewise, it can only diminish in status on account of its own anxiety and doubt. This confidence level does not depend on its temperament but simply on its position within its given hierarchy. The emoths in the lower echelons are all convinced that they belong at the top, whereas the elite emoths are nagged by fears that they secretly belong at the bottom. It is for this reason that an emoth never holds a position in a hierarchy for long, as its current position—whether in power or out—is always a source of anxiety. The only thing that changes is in what direction that anxiety is compelling it to strive.