From nv91-asa@somme.nada.kth.se Thu Aug 25 13:24:12 1994 Date: Thu, 25 Aug 1994 13:17:37 +0200 (MET DST) From: Anders Sandberg Subject: The Society of Light To: mage-l@wizards.com Message-ID: The Society of Light This group, founded during the Victorian era, represents one of the most unusual groups among the technomancers. It was founded by Sons of Ether and members of the Technocracy to create a new era of enlightenment, where rational thought and science would solve all problems. Its members were influential scientists, engineers and politicians, and its purpose was to spread these ideals in society. It wanted to create technological priesthood, with strict moral and pure intentions to guide the sleepers and advice the leaders. The Technocracy founded the initiative, and many Etherists joined the project. However, as the industrial revolution went on the support for the project waned from the Technocracy which had begun to realise that it would be much easier to control a technological priesthood without any ceremonies and official recognition by simply making science more inaccessible for the average sleepers. However, a small core continued to support the society, despite the fact that most members disbanded. The Society of Light remains today, as a charming atavism in the eyes of the Technocracy. Most members are sleeper scientists and engineers, who see it more as a fraternal order (a kind of masonry for technicians, as somebody described it) than a dedicated organisation. The Society of Light is organised in a Masonic way, with lodges or "temples of wisdom" near large universities or other scientific centres. Most lodges are little more than slightly exclusive men's clubs, where they can meet to relax, discuss matters of professional interest and generally socialise with like-minded people. However, some of the old rituals are still retained. The members meet ceremonially in the temple dressed in white togas, and perform ceremonies and rituals dedicated to reason, science, humanity and light. The temple rooms are generally draped in pure white draperies, brightly illuminated. The lightbulb is the symbol of all the society stands for: science and technology used to illuminate and help people. The Society fills another important function. It is a meeting place between the Technocracy and the Sons of Ether. In the comfortable drawing-rooms, they can meet and discuss how to best help mankind together over a drink. The relaxed environment of technological masonry gives both sides a feeling of their shared heritage and goal, and temporarily makes them forget their differences. It also gives them a chance to reminisce about the good old days, before bureaucrats and fanatics turned the world insane. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Anders Sandberg Towards Ascension! nv91-asa@hemul.nada.kth.se http://www.nada.kth.se/~nv91-asa/main.html GCS/M/S/O d++ -p+ c++++ !l u+ e++ m++ s+/+ n--- h+/* f+ g+ w++ t+ r+ !y