New Mission [19 Jan 2005|04:47pm] I've recieved a new mission today. I am unable to reveal the details (at this time?), but I can say that it has something to do with "The Magus" by John Fowles. 2 comments|post comment

Initiation and the Big Con [19 Jan 2005|10:09pm] For your consideration... In a con game, everyone knows their part in a structured drama except for the mark. When being initiated into a secret society, everyone knows their part in a structured drama except for the initiate. Con games have a decided advantage in the illusion created: they happen in the real world, seamless with reality. The mark may never know that s/he was deceived. The initiate knows s/he is being initiated. The initiation happens within the bounds of the lodge. The initiation rituals of most orders have lost their power. The initiate does not need to know s/he is an initiate to experience initiation. Initiation, when brought into the model of the con, happening seamlessly with the rest of life, is greatly empowered. I find it probable that Neurocam knows all of these things. Neurocam fits the mold for what I would expect an organization seeking to spread initiation in this manner would look and operate like. An email from Iocus Severus to Graham is relevant. For those too lazy to click, I quote the following from Graham's blog. Consider this: In 1617, alchemist Michael Maier (1566-1622) published his book "Jocus Severus" in which he deals with certain processes of initiation, couched in the languages of satire and allegory. And this: In your journal entry, dated January 29, 2004, you published an email you received from Robert Henley. I quote, "As a kind of introduction (we prefer this term to *initiation*) we would like to set you an assignment. ...It is an important part of *a process you will soon come to understand.*" (my asterisks) The Theatre of Magic by Ray Sherwin is good reading on this subject. 8 comments|post comment

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