So no one went with my suggestion to take a poll to find out who are the pirates or the ninjas of our school. Unfortunate!

I have done some research myself on this account. Though I have no exact numbers, I have been able to get the opinions of quite a few people on the subject of pirates and ninjas.

My questions always seem to lead into interesting conversations. Often conversations bring up other questions, such as what makes up a pirate or a ninja, can ninjas and pirates get along, is there any other category, etc.

Naturally, everyone's opinions differ on these matters, but here are the definitions as far as I know:

Ninjas:

Pirates:

Naturally, both parties are so complex that it is quite difficult to find a true definition, and there is plenty more to say about each one. Basically, if you want stereotypes of each one, think Captain Jack Sparrow for pirates and the ninja from Ask A Ninja for the ninjas.

As for whether pirates and ninjas can get along, most people say there's no way that could happen. They are polar opposites, I have been told.

I guess I can understand where they are coming from, and I suppose for the most part I agree. However, when I consider the question of which one I am, pirate or ninja, I've found that I fit neatly into both categories.

That's blasphemy, I'm told, but it's true: I am both pirate and ninja. I seem to get along alright like that, no half of me tries to kill the other half, so I am guessing that somewhere there must be a pirate and a ninja that can get along.

As far as whether other categories exist we decided that there is another category: gypsies. We haven't got around to defining them very well, but so far we have this:

Gypsies:

So there you go, that's as much as I have at the moment. Perhaps I shall write a second part in the future, maybe telling about who would win in a one-on-one.

If you have any feedback on the matter, let me know. fskmh17@uaf.edu.