Social Sciences of Gemology

An interdisciplinary field that combines anthropology, economics, and political science to understand humanity's long and complicated relationship with minerals. It studies the trade routes of ancient civilizations as determined by their lust for lapis lazuli, the role of emeralds in colonial exploitation, and the modern-day geopolitics of "blood diamonds." It views the history of gemstones not as a series of pretty objects, but as a primary driver of human migration, conflict, and cultural exchange.

Example: "Her thesis for the social sciences of gemology was a riveting look at how the discovery of gold in California didn't just create wealth; it fundamentally restructured the region's demographics, accelerated the genocide of Native peoples, and cemented the '49er as a new kind of American folk hero, all because of a shiny yellow metal."

by Dumu The Void February 14, 2026

Critical Social Sciences Theory

An umbrella term for the habit of over-analyzing every single human interaction until it becomes a textbook case study of systemic oppression, power dynamics, or cultural hegemony. It’s what happens when you can't just enjoy a party because you're too busy deconstructing the guest list as a socio-economic map of the city's class structure, and the playlist as a tool of cultural imperialism. While useful for understanding the world, in practice, it can make you the most insufferable person at the dinner table, unable to simply say "please pass the salt" without launching into a lecture on the geopolitics of sodium mining.

Example: "He couldn't just watch the Super Bowl; he had to deliver a dissertation on its role in reinforcing patriarchal norms and militaristic pageantry. He had a PhD in critical social sciences theory and zero invitations to future Super Bowl parties."

by Dumu The Void February 14, 2026

Sleep Social Sciences

The study of how sleep—or the lack thereof—shapes human societies, relationships, and cultural norms. It examines the unspoken rules of who gets to sleep in (bosses, babies) and who has to wake up early (everyone else). It explores the sociology of the shared bed, the politics of the snooze button, and the economic impact of a nation running on caffeine and spite. It asks the big questions, like: Is "sleeping on it" really a decision-making tool, or just a way to postpone responsibility until you've had coffee?

Example: "A deep dive into sleep social sciences reveals that the phrase 'I'll sleep when I'm dead' is primarily used by overworked millennials as a flex, signaling that they are so busy and important that basic human biology is an inconvenience to their grindset."

by Dumu The Void February 14, 2026

Dream Social Sciences

The study of how dream societies function, including the unspoken rules of the dream workplace, the politics of dream governments, and the economics of a currency that changes every time you look at it. It explores why your dream friends are always a confusing blend of three different real-life people, why dream restaurants never have menus, and why the dream bus system is both incomprehensible and always late. It concludes that dream societies operate on a logic that is both utterly alien and weirdly familiar, like a foreign film you're pretty sure you've seen before.

Example: "In my dream, I was elected mayor of a town where all the buildings were made of cake. The dream social sciences were fascinating: the cake council was corrupt, the cake citizens were always on the verge of being eaten by birds, and my entire campaign platform was 'better icing.' I woke up before I could be impeached."

by Abzugal February 14, 2026

Astral Social Sciences

The study of the societies, cultures, and power structures that supposedly exist on the astral plane. It seeks to understand the politics of ethereal beings, the economic system of an energy-based reality (do they trade in good vibes?), and the class structure among ascended masters, spirit guides, and that one guy who's just there to show you your past lives. It's a field filled with fascinating theories and a complete and total lack of verifiable data, making it a favorite among creative writing majors.

Example: "Her thesis in astral social sciences explored the hypothesis that the astral plane has a rigid social hierarchy, with 'beings of pure white light' at the top and 'confused, recently deceased people who don't know they're dead' at the bottom. She claimed she learned this from a talking orb named Bartholomew."

by Abzugal February 14, 2026

Spiritual Social Sciences

The study of how groups of spiritually-inclined people form communities, establish hierarchies, and develop their own unique cultures and jargon. It examines the social dynamics of the yoga studio (why is there always a competitive mat-placer?), the unspoken rules of the crystal shop (don't touch the selenite with dirty hands), and the politics of the meditation circle (who gets to ring the bell?). It's a field dedicated to understanding how people who are seeking inner peace somehow manage to create so much outer drama.

Example: "A deep dive into spiritual social sciences reveals that the 'namaste' said at the end of a yoga class has a direct correlation to how aggressively someone will cut you off in the parking lot. The divine light in them acknowledges the divine light in you, but their Honda Pilot has right of way."*

by Abzugal February 14, 2026

Divine Social Sciences

The study of how divine beings interact with each other and with humanity, forming complex pantheons, heavenly hierarchies, and sometimes, really messy family dramas. It examines the politics of Mount Olympus (Zeus was a terrible manager), the management structure of the angels (too many cherubs, not enough oversight), and the diplomatic relations between various gods (it usually involves lightning bolts or turning people into animals). It's essentially celebrity gossip, but for the immortal set.

Example: "A deep dive into divine social sciences reveals that the Greek gods functioned less like a divine pantheon and more like a reality TV cast. They were constantly scheming, betraying each other, and having inappropriate relationships with mortals. Hera was the long-suffering wife, and everyone was afraid of Hades, even though he was probably the most chill of all of them."

by Abzugal February 14, 2026