Each Order’s Surges have a different Realm focus?

[in Truth,watcher of tv he/him]

I haven’t seen anyone voice this theory before, though some have come close. I’m keen to test it out in the court of fandom opinion. Rip into it, please.

So we know from B.S. that the Knight Radiant orders use their Surges differently but we’re largely in the dark on how. It’s probably in part the resonance/mixing of the two Surges but also, I think, each order focuses on either the Physical or Cognitive aspect of a Surge. Specifically, they focus on the Physical aspects of their anticlockwise Surge (on the Surgebinding table) and the Cognitive aspects of their clockwise Surge.

Explanation
First I should establish what I think Physical v Cognitive Surges look like. Physical are the classic abilities the Radiants have; flying, illusions, disintegration. They are more literal and tangible. Cognitive abilities are more subtle and often figurative/abstract interpretations of the Surge. Being cognitive they mostly effect peoples thoughts and actions, I think the virtues associated with each order are mostly based on Cognitive Surges. For instance, Gravity’s Physical aspect can be the force holding things to the planet while it’s Cognitive aspect can be a person’s gravitas and charisma.

Apparently Radiants usually pick up their anti-clockwise Surge first, and we’ve seen that they can struggle with their clock-wise Surge (especially relative to the order they share it with); Shallan basically gave up on Soulcasting, the Windrunners almost never use a basic lashing on other things, Venli’s stoneshaping experiences were awkward iirc. I think makes sense if the anti-clockwise Surge is their Physical Surge with more obvious and literal applications and for the clockwise one they have more subtle mental powers. When I thought of the Orders in this light many of the names and roles made a lot more sense. The whole theme of Roshar seems to be about bridging the Cognitive and Physical Realms, so it stands to reason the major magic system would straddle the divide. 

I’m not saying a Radiant has access to only the Physical or Cognitive application of a Surge, but it’s a focus; they major in one and minor in the other.
Internal/external might comes into play with internal (personal) effects being lesser applications of the Surge they can access regardless of focus, and the external effects being greater abilities generally difficult for them if it’s not their focus. For example flying would be an internal use of Physical Gravitation, while launching objects and people would be an external use of the same.

Applied theory
I’d just like to mention, some of the WoR excerpts in WoR seem to be there specifically to mention the Cognitive abilities of an order.

Windrunner-
-Physical Adhesion: glue and wind
-Cognitive Gravitation: charisma, leadership, gravitas, and general showboatiness (looking at you Kaladin)

Skybreaker-
-P. Gravitation: I imagine they’ll be throwing things around more? Maybe floating some perps? Haven’t seen much from them yet.
-C. Division: possibly the impartiality needed for justice, also “separating the innocent from the guilty”

Dustbringer-
-P. Division: decay and burn
-C. Abrasion: friction allows things to be held and move together, self-mastery is them getting a hold of themselves and “obedience” is sticking to another

Edgedancer-
-P. Abrasion: slicking and potentially something more destructive (after all it’s specifically abrasion instead of friction)
-C. Progression: they take care of people to heal and nurture them mentally, described as “refined and eloquent” (inner growth), healing is a fairly Cognitive power

Truthwatcher-
-P. Progression: plant growth at least (they are heavily associated with plants), probably healing
-C. Illumination: truth and watching, Illumination seems to be about reality perception and memory

Lightweaver-
-P. Illumination: illusions, obvi
-C. Transformation: inspiring people to be different (Pattern even explicitly points this out), temporarily becoming a new person

Elsecaller-
-P. Transformation: soulcasting
-C. Transportation: because this Surge bridges Physical and Cognitive I think the C. use is going to Shadesmar, also probably cerebral powers?

Willshaper-
-P. Transportation: going from Shadesmar, perhaps manifesting Cognitive things (fabrials?), maybe even teleportation?
-C. Cohesion: shaping of will, helping communities work together, solid resolve, also might be why Venli’s first stoneshaping was so spreny

Stoneward-
-P. Cohesion: stoneshaping
-C. Tension: stubbornness/dependability (stiff), resourceful (flexible)

Bondsmiths are obviously exceptional, in their case I think their Surges are shifted or expanded towards the Spiritual. So Spiritual Adhesion creates Connections, and Tension tightens or slackens Connections or at least associations.

 

GAHH! This turned into an essay, sorry. Any thoughts? Counter-theories?

tldr: maybe Willshapers can teleport??