Progenitor Paradigm
By Chihiro Yamada
This is the Final version of the Progenitor Paradigm Page, at least as far
as i am concerned, these things aren't sacresanct aferall, if you don't
like my page, change it! Thank you for those who made comments and
suggestions (Anders Sandberg, Paul Strack and someone else whose post I
lost) I have made some alterations and additions to the Spheres. i have
also added a bit on the end about the Progenitor Methodologies.
Those of you with the Sourcebook on the Progenitors might notice that
although I have used the names (which I don't like incidentally, but
that's my problem) I haven't quite defined the Methodologies in the same
way. I should say at this point I was never overly impressed by that book
(though it had good stuff in it) but I disagree with the tone of the
thing.
Firstly I tend to be of the opinion (with a fair number of others on the
net - it was certainly not my "idea") that Technocracy "Magic" IS
science just that the Technocracy has developed technology 50 years or so
ahead of what they allow out. The tools and equipment they use are the
focuses and talismans that Mages would use. I didn't feel the book
emphasised that much.
I also think that there was not enough emphasis on PRESENT technology i.e.
the technology that The convention has allowed to become part of the
Paradigm. There are a great many uses for the Science that exists today
that are powerful enough, and that Vulgar Magickal effects are for the
most part unnecessary. anyway if you disagree tell me, I'd be interested
to know.
Chihiro.
The Paradigm
The Organism: The Organism is the fundamental unit of Society and Reality
as we understand it. The Organism works in a predictable and controllable
manner. The Organism controls Reality, we control the Organism in order
to create a Better Reality.
Magick
Biology. By striving to understand the Organism in a mechanistic manner
we can develop methods to control it. Biology is most strongly linked to
the Sphere of Life, but can be used to influence many other aspects of
Reality also. It is not straightforward to assign a "sphere" to each
Research Field but approximations are presented below. Note that we
follow the General Technomancy Paradigm on all Science and respect the
other Conventions superior knowledge in other Spheres, though our use of
those spheres are often very different to those other Conventions.
Spheres
- Correspondence: Microspcopy, Communications. .
This Sphere is not a
fundamental part of the Progenitor Paradigm, but the Genegineers often use
Correspondence to investigate Organisms at the microscopic and molecular
level. (The electron microscope uses forces and correspondence). They
also use the Technology and of other Conventions, in day to day
communications. (Cellular phones, computer networks, private jets,
surveillance vans etc.).
- Entropy: Senescence
(Cell Biology). The organism breaks down. By
striving to understand the cellular mechanisms involved we can prevent or
manipulate the senescence of the organism or individual cells within the
Organism as we see fit.
- Forces: Energy.
Not an area that Progenitors spend much time studying,
some collaborative work can happen with Iteration X e.g. neural interfaces,
neural networks, etc. Iteration X can also help with the manufacture of
equipment used in Biological Research.
- Life: Biomedical Sciences.(Genetics, Microbiology, Cell Biology,
Physiology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry,).
These sciences form the
backbone of the Conventions tools. Genetics can be used as a method of
analysing life patterns, to identify the Organism, as well as a method of
altering the organism, (through one of newer Rotes we have allowed to
become part of the Paradigm, Gene Therapy), The manipulation of the
microorganism has proved useful in many ways, from the production of drugs
to the ability to pass on drug resistance to commercial plants. By
analysing physiological processes that we have identified many ways to
improve the performance of the organism, from drugs, diet, and
lifestyle. Molecular Biology and Biochemistry are the tools we use to
analyse these processes.
- Matter: Chemistry.
The study of Inorganic and non-living Organic
Chemistry These are useful as tools in a few aspects of Progenitor
research, e.g. Artificial Organs, and in the design of Research
Equipment but the ultimate aim of the convention is to manipulate the
Organism itself rather than rely on crude mechanical devices.
- Mind: Neurology and Psychology.
We strive to understand the molecular
mechanisms involved in the Brain and thus find biochemical methods of
manipulating it. Pharmacology is an ideal method of doing this..
Medicine and Health Matters have always been very powerful forces in
society, by controlling Medical advances we are in a strong position to
shape future minds to our ideals. The NWO has extensive knowledge of
brainwashing and other techniques and the Pharmacopeists often collaborate
and use their tools.
- Prime: Metabolism, (Biochemistry).
The Organism requires biological
energy to live. We have isolated the biochemical unit of Energy, (ATP
and other compounds) in order to use it to manipulate the organism. Many
of our tools require the use of this energy to work. Understanding the
flow of Energy also gives us greater insight into the Organism.
- Time: Genetics (Eugenics, Molecular Archeobiology, DNA fingerprinting
Developmental Genetics).
Genes are biological Programs that create the
Organism, every organism has copies of this program in every cell. By
the mechanism of Inheritance we can pass our influence onto future
generations by permanent changes to the Genome. We can also reconstruct
organisms of the past, or past movements of living organisms by collecting
and analysing their DNA, their genes. By altering the program itself we
can alter the time course of the development of the organism from the
single fertilised egg cell, to the complete organism.
Arete
Progress:
The use of Research and Knowledge to gain a fuller
understanding and greater control of the Organism.
Quintessence
Metabolic Energy.
The Organism uses energy to live, Energy passes up the
food chain from Organism to organism, by understanding the energy flow
within and between organisms can give us useful information about the
Organism. Manipulating the Energy gives us greater control.
Paradox
Insufficient Knowledge.
Sometimes insufficient knowledge of the organism
leads to mistakes. These mistakes must be explained and removed quickly
to maintain the image that Biology is an essential and desirable tool for
Society's good.
Awakening
Education.
Before an initiate can further the knowledge of the Convention
she must have a thorough understanding of accumulated knowledge of her
predecessors.
Mage-specific Backgrounds
- Arcane: Low Profile.
The ability to study fundamental aspects of the
Organism without causing undue adverse publicity. This allows the
Progenitor to present the discoveries to Society when the Convention
determines it to be the correct time.
- Avatar: Insight.
The ability to analyse the evidence and invent credible
and useful models of aspects of the Organism. It are these models that
define the Paradigm and further the cause of the Convention.
- Destiny: Success.
The ability to investigate and prove her models coupled
with the ability to convince others of the validity of that model will
allow the Progenitor to succeed.
The Methodologies
There are three Progenitor Methodologies that have slightly different
methods and mindset. All use the Life sphere as described as above but
also use other spheres. They are also influenced and collaborate with
other conventions in different ways.
The FACADE Engineers.
The oldest Methodology, the FACADE Engineers were once the researchers,
but more recently have become responsible for the use of Progenitor Science
on the Sleeper world. They are the Methodolgy most interested in Social
Engineering and thus often have things in common with NWO.
Genegineers.
This Newest Methodology are responsible for most of the recent
Biotechnological and Genetic breakthroughs. They are the most technical
and esoteric of the Methodologies as they primarily conduct and control
Scientific Research. They often require Cutting edge technical equipment
to aid them and thus have links with Iteration X. They are most likely of
the Methodologies to use Forces, Matter or Correspondence science in their
equipment to investigate the organism more completely.
Pharmacopeists.
This Methodology are the most Industrially oriented of the three and thus
have links with the Syndicate, They have both successfully used
Pharmaceuticals and Medicine as a very useful product in the Market. They
will be the Methodology who will be responsible for the marketing of the
new Genetic Technologies that the Genegineers have developed and the FACADE
Engineers have decided are ready to be released to the Sleepers - for
example, Gene therapy and the Genetic Screening in the short term, Human
Genetic Engineering in the longer term.
Chihiro Yamada.
Cambridge. U.K. cy@mole.bio.cam.ac.uk