Relationship between the Muggle & the Wizarding World

[Aleks]

No: HPFGUIDX 24166

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "Mindy, a.k.a. CLH" <mindyatime at j...> 
wrote:
> I am still quite perplexed by the entire premise of JKR's books. 
Granted, I know that they are fantasy and all, but still, 
realistically I still have a lot of unsettling doubts.<snip>

Wow, this is a long post, with a lot of questions. I'm not even going 
to attempt to answer all of them, but I'll have a go at the ones 
which seem most obvious to me. Firstly, you say:
> 
> But, here it's only ONE family... I don't understand
> how an entire POPULATION, an entire WORLD, can manage to always, 
always, keep their existence a secret. Don't they EVER have to go out 
in the 'real' world for some thing or other? Do they  live in 
exclusive villages like Hogsmeade, or if they're scattered around 
London, etc., don't the Muggles notice them? Do you mean to tell me, 
that the big government of England, for instance, has never noticed 
this huge unusual population?

Well, we can assume from comments made in PoA that the British 
government does know of the existence of this community as Fudge is 
quoted in the Daily Prophet as having informed the Muggle Prime 
Minister of Black's escape. Also, the existence of the Ministry of 
Magic suggests that the government knows. I assumed from the name 
that it was just another government ministry like Ministry of Defence 
etc, why else would it be called a 'ministry', also Fudge is 
the 'Minister for Magic' so presumably in the Cabinet.

> Isnt' there a census or something? Doesn't every citizen have to pay
> taxes or whatever? You can't just be a 'non-entity'. You exist, and 
you live in this world, and people are bound to notice you. They are 
not entirely invisible. The government of England would know if 
a 'village' of such exists, and if they live mixed, then they are 
certainly due to pay taxes or whatever. And then again their are fire 
inspections and other government - related things you can't wiggle 
out of. 

Following on from my previous point there would then be no reason for 
witches/ wizards not to: appear on a census, pay taxes etc. 
All it takes is one person to discover it, which leads
> to one magazine article describing it, which leads to one television
> special, and the secrt is out!
> 


> Why, if there are Muggle studies in school, dont' we ever read 
about them? Why is Arthur so excited about 'eklectricity' --
> don't they learn about it in Muggle studies? Do these Wizards think
> they're so smart, knowing curses and potions and charms, when they 
know absolutely zero about the world around them -- biology, science,
> technology, etc.?

This is the second thing you bring up that interests me: Muggle 
Studies is an optional class that students can take starting in the 
3rd year. Possibly very few students take this option. Of course, it 
seems odd that someone like Arthur Weasley with such an interest in 
muggles wouldn't have taken it but maybe it is a recent addition to 
the curriculum. As for knowing nothing about biology, science etc is 
there any need for them too? Why should they have to learn about 
things that are not relevant to the wizarding world, things that 
won;t affect their lives? 
> 
> Also, I dont' think it's legal to live with a telephone. How, can 
the
> Wizards contact an ambulance, policeman, or fireman in case of an
> emergency? Do they even HAVE an emergency squad? Or are wizards so
> magical that they can worm their way out of any emergency -- fire,
> burglary, and illness? 

I'm presuming here that you meant 'live without a telephone' in which 
case it is perfectly legal to do so and I know people who do. If 
anyone needs to contact them they phone a neighbour who has a phone 
or visit them directly. Also, it seems that witches/ wizards can 
negate the effects of fires (Wendolin the Weird comes to mind) and 
they are capable of healing injuries w/o the use of muggle medicenes 
etc so they wouldn't need to use muggle emergency services. 

> 
> Additionally, I don't know how the Muggle kids survive without the
> electronic pastimes out kids can't be without. No TV. No movies. No
> computers. No electronic games. No Nintendo. It is highly 
unrealistic to expect all of the Wizarding kiddies to sit and read or 
play card games all day. What a highly boring life. Why would a child 
want to have such a life when there is such an exciting electronic 
life out there?
> 

I think this comes from us living in the Muggle world, of course 
those from Muggle families probably do miss computers, TV etc but 
wizarding children know no better. If I didn't have a computer would 
that mean that I had a boring life? I managed to entertain myself as 
a child w/o a computer or electronic games - I'm sure wizarding 
children have as much imagination as I do and are perfectly capable 
of entertaining themselves. It is arrogant to assume that because you 
or I have these electronic gadgets that everybody else would need or 
even want them.
> 
> I have so many questions. These are just
> half of them. I will write more later. I hope this sparks a lively
> discussion.
> 
> 
> MINDY


Well, there's my attempt at answering some of your burning questions, 
hope this helps.

Aleks