Moondance

Moondance is the common term for a condition where, every month when the moon is new, artists across Pangiopolis take to the streets to dance for inspiration.

The tradition dates back to the days before Pangiopolis' incorporation, when the mega-cities that had taken over the natural resources began to war among themselves. Students and artists would take to the streets in the dark of the moon--a time when they could count on the darkness to hide their identities--and dance in protest to the authoritarian regime.

Credited with being the strong foundation providing the momentum toward change that saw the formation of Pangiopolis, it is celebrated monthly to remind the Power Structure that the true source of power comes from the consent of the governed.

The most fascinating part is that this tradition has gone on for so many generations that geneticists, biologists, sociologists, and anthropologists are beginning to notice a startling trend. What began as a tradition has been carrying on so long that entire portions of society are now demonstrating subtle variations in genetic code that make them more susceptible to becoming an artist.

In short, celebrating the Moondance has made artistic passion a genetic condition that cycles with the phase of the moon.

Much research is currently ongoing to determine whether this condition is resulting from spontaneous genetic mutation or from a cultural version of 'natural selection' where a desired trait becomes more 'attractive' to potential mates and therefore, the genetic sequencing that contributes to this 'attractive quality' then becomes stronger through generational breeding.

Obviously such studies take an incredible amount of time and manpower. This is why continued funding with modest increases to cover additional equipment and personnel must be secured in order to continue this delicate and necessary research.