DR. RATIO ANALYSIS: The hard Truth who Uncovers the sweet Lies | Awareness vs Foolishness
Hello everybody, and welcome back to my analysis of Dr. Ratio in: "Crown Of The Mundane And The Divine". In this post, as a follow up to my previous one about his introductory cutscene, I will talk about Dr. Ratio in "When The Stars Of Ingenuity Shines."
Disclaimer: Whilst it is not needed to read my first post, I recommend you to do so to understand the context of some comments I will do here. Also, everything said in this post is subjective, as my own, personal interpretations, and must not be treated as canon or taken as face value. I don't pretend to know Dr. Ratio better or that my speculations for him are the right ones. I will also often compare the EN lines and the CN lines, and will automatically take the CN as a base for my analysis of there are differences. Thank you <3
1- Strict education or narcissistic correction?
We will start off with the dialogues before the boss fight.
EN: "Are you waiting for a sign? Time is ticking. Descend via the elevator - what you seek is there."
CN: 愣著做什麽，你時間很多嗎？我看不像。坐電梯下去，你要找的東西就在那裡。
CN translation: "Why are you standing in a daze, do you have a lot of time? Doesn't seem like it to me. Take the elevator down - what you're looking for is right there"
The differences here are not that significant, they both kind of give the same message: Hurry up. Right from the start, we're embarked in the action, we have no time. Dr. Ratio's impatience is showing very much right there, a feeling that is much more pronounced in the CN but fairly condensed in the EN.
Though what is interesting to note in the CN is that the part" do you have a lot of time" is very sarcastic and self-explanatory in itself: Traiblazer doesn't have a lot of time. Yet, Dr. Ratio still reinforces the comment with " Doesn't seem like it to me ". Which highlights quite well his critical and observant stand point.
At the end of the cutscene, Dr. Ratio told Traiblazer to get thinking. Then, his first line is basically:" hurry up !". Which relate to the two values I've pointed out in his cutscene: the mind and time.
Then, the last line is strictly informative. He's a guide; he knows Traiblazer's goal, he knows what to do and he gives the direction (remember, always two steps ahead. I will say that a lot with him). It kinda gives off the vibe of your typical game quest cursor which shows you where to go or what to do but doesn't actually actively help you do it. Once again, Dr. Ratio is an observer and not active.
Of course, Traiblazer gets curious and can ask one of the three questions: Who are you ?/ Why are you here ?/ Do you know what I'm looking for ?
Dr. Ratio then answers:
EN: "Have you considered whether the answer to your question will be of any relevance to our current predicament?"
CN: 提問之前，不如先想一想，答案是否對你要解決的問題有益。
CN Translation: "Before asking a question, it would be better to first consider whether the answer will help the problem you want to solve"
There is a heavy difference between the two in my opinion. The EN line is confrontational and even slightly accusatory, as if it should have been obvious that this question shouldn't have been asked. However, in the CN, there is a more technical (professional) approach to it. That's not an attack or an accusation, more like a recommendation. "Have you...?" will imply a sort of expectation while "It would be..." will sound like a suggestion. EN's structure and tone gives off a similar one to "why are you even doing that?" or "That's completely useless right now." while CN is more like "it's best not to do that." or "That's not what's needed right now."
Do you see the difference? There's one word that perfectly describes that difference and it is harshness; Dr. Ratio is not meant to be harsh, he's meant to be eccentric, strict and slightly nonchalant.
EN: "If a question is of no help, then don't ask it. Time is clearly precious to the both of us."
CN: 如果沒有，最好別問，顯然你我的時間都很寶貴.
CN Translation: "if not, it's best not to ask--clearly, both your time and mine are valuable."
In itself, the sentence is the same. However, in CN we find that instructive and even slightly advisatory tone and structure instead of much more condemning one. "Don't ask it" vs "it's best not to ask". It's subtle but it makes all the difference sometimes, especially with a character that is already strict and serious, adding more to that will naturally unbalance the equilibrium between Dr. Ratio's intolerance and his casualness.
Now, putting that aside, Dr. Ratio is right on one thing: That will not help trailblazer to know who he is exactly, what he's doing here or how he knew what their goal was. The thing here is that he's not saying "I expect you to follow my every word because I'm right", more like: "I'm not important, you don't have to trust me, but hurry up, time's running".
Time is extremely important and to make sure to not waste it, we may be confronted with a situation where we have to dive into the unknown and be in a place where we don't know what's trustworthy or not.
EN: "...Never mind. Allow me to clarify something. I know exactly who you are, and I'm aware you are in Ruan Mei's employ. This was not my intended destination — I just happened to find my way here during my visit and saw what she was up to."
CN: ...…算了，就当做个示范：我知道你是谁，也知道你在为阮•梅办事；我本是空间站的访客，误入此地，目睹了她的实验.
CN Translation: "...... Never mind, just treat this as a demonstration: I know who you are, and I know you're working for Ruan Mei. I was originally a visitor of the Space Station but accidentally ended up here and witnessed her experiment."
Here, Dr. Ratio acknowledges Traiblazer's confusion and need of some answers. So, instead of ignoring it, he takes time to address it. He, at first, tried to advise Traiblazer about oral efficiency by explaining it but then the "never mind" comes a change of method to adapt at a situation. He's thoughtful.
There's one important difference in the first line, which reinforces the tone difference for the two previous lines: "Allow me to clarify something." vs "just treat this as a demonstration:"
Since in the two previous lines the EN went with a more harsh and accusatory structure, here, to follow the steps, when Dr. Ratio answers to dissipate Traiblazer's confusion by giving actual needed answers, it feels like he's putting up with it just because they asked first. It's an abrupt transition that doesn't make sense. Why is he explaining itvwhen right before he was condemning it. As if: "Since you already asked, i'll answer it then"
While, for the CN, since the structure was instructive, it is a continuation of the previous lines, which transforms a mere suggestion/comment into a demonstration. His answers are not simply there to answer Traiblazer in a relevant manner, he's using this opportunity to teach what he had already begun to teach before (crazy when he's a professor right).
He knows Traiblazer, he knows Ruan Mei, he knows there's an arrangement between them, he's a visitor to the space station (subtly telling that he isn't someone trying to attack it, he was invited), he was there first and saw Ruan Mei's experiment and that's why he's there. All that information in two simple sentences. That's his demonstration.
EN: "My goals are roughly aligned with yours. Since you're here, I won't intercede... but should you fail, I will be forced to prevent some avoidable misfortunes."
CN: 我的目的大抵和你相同，既然你來了，我便不會干涉。但如果你失敗，我就會強硬介入，阻止一些不必要的麻煩
CN Translation: "My goal is roughly the same as yours. Since you're here, I won't interfere. But if you fail, I will step in forcefully to prevent any unnecessary trouble."
The sentence is kinda the same, the only difference is that for EN, Dr. Ratio says he will be forced to step in rather that he's the one that will forcefully step in.
What he's saying there is that while he'll stay on the sideline, because that's how Dr. Ratio operates, failure is not to be feared. He's kind of telling Traiblazer that there's a safe net below them. If they fail, he will be there to take the torch and arrange everything. It's not only a way to show Dr Ratio confidence in his own abilities WITHOUT arrogance and narcissism (pride and confidence does not equal those), as well as it hints at us that he alone is capable of dealing with this mess, but it is just a show of how Dr. Ratio methods' and mindset fundamentally work: "Failure is not the end, there's always another option after it."
EN: "That's all you need to know. Just two paragraphs. Very effective communication."
CN: 你知道這些就夠了--- -共兩句話，非常有效率的溝通
CN Translation: "Knowing this is enough for you--just two sentences in total, very efficient communication"
Both mean the same. However, without the instructive tone given by the first lines, the last two can't be perceived as educational and ends up feeling like showing off and putting up with the interlocutor (something that can be seen as a burden), which naturally leads to believing he's arrogant and narcissistic. Because, he isn't really praising himself there, he's demonstrating remember, but since the EN didn't utilize the right structure, it can end up being read differently.
Two of the threes choices to say after are either "Thank you for telling me that" or "You're not a bad person after all". Because Traiblazer's curiosity reflected their doubts and distrust to a literal stranger. Dr. Ratio knew and acknowledged that while giving a lesson. And you may remark that Traiblazer still doesn't know anything about Dr. Ratio! All Traiblazer needed to know was that Dr. Ratio is not a menace to their goal, which he delivered. Efficiency ++
If "Thank you for telling me that" or "You're not a bad person after all" then:
EN: "I can't stand discourtesy - even when it comes from myself."
CN: 因為我討厭不知禮數、惡言相向的人一富然，也包括我自己。
CN Translation: "Because I despise those who lack manners and speak harshly--myself included, of course."
A very, very important line that I feel like a lot of people overlooked and partially because of EN. Oh, what do I read here......."AND SPEAK HARSHLY" Crazy! Why would someone who's harsh hate people who speaks harshly? Maybe because he's not supposed to be harsh to begin with! I'm just sayin."What if he is hypocritical?" Ahahahahah. No. The last sentence literally is there to reject hypocrisy.
Anyway. Dr. Ratio explains that he despises - here, the characters 讨厌 (simplified) describe a sentiment between mild dislike to intense dislike, the end of the phrase softens the tone by mixing a sense of humility with strong critique- those who lacks manners; in other words, disrespect and rudeness.
Dr Ratio would have been 'rude' had he not given answers to Traiblazer's questions or reassured them that he wasn't an enemy. After all, while it was a question for an unnecessary answer, it was still a reasonable one. That's why despite his lesson about it, he still actually answered, while turning it into something that both of them could profit for: for Ratio, he proved his sincerity and his alliance, and Traiblazer gained an ally and a free lesson on time management (lol).
And he PRECISES that he also dislikes people who speak harshly. The phrase itself is pretty clear, but the characters 恶语相向 (simplified) also form an idiom in Chinese that refers closely to being cruel, being verbally offensive on purpose and lashing out. So mean and harsh comments. And I think we can't make it more obvious that Ratio is not mean, harsh or cruel in any way. Dr. Ratio is sarcastic, strict and negative minded, but he isn't cruel or harsh about it.
Lastly, "myself included, of course". Self-awareness. Dr. Ratio quite literally tells in black and white that he doesn't like harshness and rudeness, especially from himself. "Of course" there emphasizes the fact it should be a banality, a norm and obvious. Of course it concerns himself! He represents truth, why would truth be hypocritical and insincere? No, truth is strict, straightforward and simple, yet also detached, neutral and helpful. That's who Dr. Ratio is.
(If "Why do you wear an alabaster head...." Then:)
EN: "Because I can't bear to see idiots. Of course, they wouldn't want to see me either."
CN: 因为我见不得蠢材，当然，他们也不想见我 。
CN Translation: "Because I can't stand fools, and of course, they don't want to see me either."
Fortunately, CN and EN are nearly identical on this one, both in tone and structure, because it is a very important line. The characters 见不得 for“l can't stand" are very strong: they imply heavy dislike, absolutely no tolerance or even aversion. But the key word here is intolerance. It's not a surprise when Dr. Ratio constantly expresses his intolerance for foolishness (a.k.a, arrogance and ignorance as we concluded on the last post).
What's funny is that so far he only complains about foolishness, waste of time or mean behavior. And I think we can take those as some sort of standards. And yes those standards, paired with biases Ratio has for the cosmos (but as Truth, how can he not?) kind of honestly nurture a sense of unconventional "self-centeredness" (in the sense that he acts only based on his standards and biases) that isn't associated with selfishness, arrogance or narcissism. Quite paradoxical? That's the point, Dr. Ratio's entire character is ironic and paradoxical, while embracing a complex, perfect imperfection. (note: will be heavily developed later).
The other part is as important and impactful:"Of course, they don't want to see me either." "Of course" implies some sort of expectation, norm once again, while the rest brings forth a direct confrontation.
While Dr. Ratio critics fools he also admits mutual dislike. There's a clear and poignant duality that we were already able to read in his cutscene, because to cure foolishness is a battle of the self and one must go through it the hard way (practice and negativity) to let go of ignorance and achieve awareness. What I find extremely interesting is that the sentence itself is written in stone, it won't change: the confrontation between Dr. Ratio and fools are inevitable. And if we look at it through my personal theory, that Dr. Ratio is the personification of Truth (as a concept itself) then this sentence is even more meaningful. Because it isn't just Dr. Ratio vs fools, it's Truth against Arrogance (foolishness). Fools, ignorant and arrogant people, hate to be told the truth or to confront the truth. Truth is self-aware, fools are not and that's what sets up the global norm to what people are in Ratio's point-of-view: Fools and everyone else. Simple as that.
EN: "Go. Take the elevator and bear witness to this "Genius' Masterpiece.""
The CN is identical.
What I want to talk about for this lines is what represents the "Masterpiece Of Genius" and how it sets the beginning of Dr. Ratio's lesson that will happen in "Mundane Troubles". What Ruan Mei created is mindblowing of course, but also extremely dangerous and that's what "Masterpiece of Genius" represents: it shows Geniuses' habits to selfishly produce danger without them necessarily caring. And that will be one of the points that will lead Dr. Ratio to question their hierarchy in the cosmos and people's careless, blind faith in them, in "Mundane Troubles".
2- Cutscene: Final Observation
In the cinematic, Dr. Ratio stands far and above, with an absolute view of everything. Not only does it showcase exactly Dr. Ratio's methods (remember, standing back and observing) but the fact he is there, like an instructor yes, but the settings itself give him a sort of charisma.
Well, I may be biased on that one because there's no denying Dr. Ratio's attractiveness and charisma. But, my point is that even when he was only in a secondary plan in this situation, his presence still feels significant.
He does a standard, clinical observation about what happened at the end of the experiment. Once again the fact he's the one confirming that the threat is over instead of Traiblazer who had been fighting or Ruan Mei who is the author of it, shows some kind of importance for his character, his role and what he represents (here, can be read as truth).
Then, immediately and without hesitation, it's time to get going. There's no need to linger there or to ponder about further things, no time to waste; again, Dr. Ratio and time management.
3- RUAN MEI: Truthfulness vs Falsehood
For this last section, I will talk about two of Ruan Mei's dialogue moments. You may ask yourself "but why talk about Ruan Mei in a Dr. Ratio's analysis?" Well, let me show you. But before that, keep in mind that what's told below is based on the idea that Ratio is Truth.
I find this specific line to be very interesting, because I think it kind of give an idea of what Geniuses stand for and we can make (and even see) an opposition with Dr. Ratio which ends up being quite ironic (just like his character hm). Trailblazer asks Ruan Mei about life outside of research and Ruan Mei basically answers that she has none and that it's how she wants it.
It seems like Genius Society members dedicate their entire life and existence to research and some extent, to finding answers, so 'truth'. While, on the other hand, from everything that we are able to observe about Ratio in all the contents he's appearing in, it seems like Dr. Ratio is dedicating research to Life. Not in the same way Ruan Mei does. Life as in humanity and civilization throughout the cosmos.
And that's one of the dualities that is present in "Crown Of The Mundane And The Divine". Dr. Ratio, who is pretty self-aware and represents truth, dedicates his existence to the assistance of civilization and their evolution. While geniuses who dedicate life to research don't have much knowledge of civilization (the Mundane) and sometimes even less of the self. There's a clear opposition between them and it may be what's actually the cause of Dr. Ratio being unable to draw the gaze of Nous. I will talk about it in more detail in another post.
Traiblazer talks one last time with Ruan Mei, and it is revealed that she gave the "Anti-Truth" she gave them has more abilities than she had told. Traiblazer will slowly forget about Ruan Mei in order to protect her secrets because she isn't someone who trusts easily.
I find this moment extremely interesting and meaningful in its contrast with Traiblazer's whole interactions with Dr. Ratio.
On one side, we have Dr Ratio, who can be considered the personification of Truth and was there to point out Ruan Mei's lies and guide us to the real truth; on the other side, Ruan Mei, a Genius, uses "Anti-Truth"to conceal her lies and secrets after they had been discovered and dealt with.
We have Dr. Ratio who is often villainized and is eccentric, while Ruan Mei is praised and delicate.
Dr. Ratio (or truth) is straightforward and can be perceived as ruthless, while the Anti-Truth is described as slow and sweet. Almost like a metaphor to truth being hard to accept while lies are sweet and easily deceives.
And finally, Ruan Mei, who lied, tried to conceal the truth (and her identity) while being bare-faced with us. However, Dr. Ratio, who guided tb to truth, had his identity hidden throughout the quest. It's funny when bareness is a typical symbol associated with Truthfulness and their personifications, but Ratio had his identity covered while Ruan Mei was not hiding it. There's actually a story about the Truth Goddess Ratio may be inspired from; about her counterpart (falsehood) pretending to be her (Truth). One of the moralities in those myths and stories is often that lies may start off as successful but Truth will always prevail. Which I think is quite fitting in this situation
CONCLUSION:
As a continuation to his introductive cutscene, we have the start of a slow development of Dr. Ratio's main traits and characteristics. It's diverting to realize, after all the other quests and looking back at the first ones, that early on there were already the hints and showcases of Dr. Ratio's personality and values. Throughout the quest, Trailblazer interacted with an unknown man (Dr. Ratio), and it was that same unknown man that helped Traiblazer uncover the affairs of someone Traiblazer already knew and trusted!
Here, Dr. Ratio may have represented Truth, not in its bare state as he usually does. It's interesting to note that Dr. Ratio tells himself that he could show his true colors but that it ends up being rather counter productive. Just like the fact Truth itself is better represented bare but few people actually can handle it that way. That's also a morality brought forth in the story of Truthfulness and her Counterpart, the one where Falsehood pretends to be Truthfulness by wearing her clothes, Truthfulness was naked and tried to convince Men that it was a trick but Men condemned Truthfulness, preferring a beautiful lie than the bare truth.
Dr. Ratio wearing an Alabaster Head most of the time might be a reflection to that but a little bit twisted, in order to prevent counterproductive results; a covered truth is still truth. Hiding his sight (truth) from fools doesn't prevent them from learning and trying to find it behind the barriers he puts. I also think the alabaster Head is simply a reference to him being the personification of Truthfulness, since one of the myths about the goddess speaks of her being a statue originally.
Here's the points to remember:
Time is extremely important and should be used efficiently. Which we were already aware of, but the fact time is such a close and important concept glued to Ratio's character might have something to do with him being Truthfulness, as whilst one version tells that the goddess was created as a statue, another says that she was the daughter of Cronus (the time titan/god)
Dr. Ratio is an educator first and foremost. He is strict and intolerant but not harsh and cruel. His manner of speech will often be straightforward, simple, instructive and effective. But it doesn't exclude things like sarcasm, a touch of humour without losing that gloominess that surrounds his character.
His intolerance with fools is strong and reciprocal, which could represent, through a metaphor, the confrontation between arrogance/foolishness and truthfulness.
We are shown the premises of Dr. Ratio's methods more clearly: practice and detached observation.
And lastly, The way both Dr. Ratio and Ruan Mei were portrayed in constant opposition from one another foretells of the duality that Crown of the mundane and divine is inherently about and will be plainly talked about in Mundane Trouble
I hope you enjoyed this long but hopefully interesting and insightful post! I always end up writing so so much ahah. Next, I will dive into the very important quest: "Mundane Troubles'
If you like my analyses, and if you're interested to know more, stay tuned!
