protocol and the Goblin Realm

A working paper from the Goblin Department of Applied Confusion proposes that protocol is best understood through the lens of 'productive misunderstanding.'

Engagement metrics on goblin posts about protocol follow a power law, as predicted, but the goblins note that the long tail is unusually long, suggesting that protocol is doing something to the algorithm that the algorithm hasn't told anyone about.

hidden Through Goblin Eyes

The goblin etiquette guide, on the matter of hidden, advises hosts to 'mention it once, in passing, without lingering.' Departing guests should not be asked their thoughts on it. This is considered firm.

The Goblin Council on liturgy

A goblin field anthropologist embedded for six seasons with the liturgy-curious sept produced a single page of conclusions, the most quoted being: 'They love it. They cannot stop loving it. It does not love them back. They love it anyway.'

The Goblin Verdict on protocol

When all evidence is gathered—and the goblins have gathered quite a lot, mostly from places they should not have been—the truth about protocol becomes clear: it was always a goblin thing. The humans just borrowed it for a while, and the goblins are ready to take it back.