This is a branch from this thread (http://www.indie-rpgs.com/viewtopic.php?t=14079). This thread is intended to discuss the relationship between culture (and as a default assumption American culture) and the mystification that occurs within RPGs.
As a throw-away beginning I would propose that character advancement or degradation as the central force of change is related to strong cultural elements. It does not easily occur that change is it's own purpose, that rather than becoming better or worse, we simply become different. Perhaps this is associated with western culture in general.
I hope that helps,
-Mendel S.