NetNews Usenet Archive 1992 #31/NN_1992_31.iso/spool/alt/callahan/15918

Internet Message Format | 1992-12-29 | 3.5 KB

Path: sparky!uunet!paladin.american.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!rpi!bu.edu!acs.bu.edu!schweppe
From: [e-mail] (Edmund Schweppe)
Newsgroups: alt.callahans
Subject: Re: The world, and what it'd be like...
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Date: 30 Dec 92 04:31:55 GMT
References: <[e-mail]> <[e-mail]>
Sender: [e-mail]
Organization: Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
Lines: 70

Darkshot writes:

>Darkshot maniests himself, in a puff of logic. He fixes certain people in
>the Place with his eyes, and clears his throat.
>
>The closest thing to passion anyone has ever heard colors his voice, and
>he rumbles: "You people need to get Out more."

Merlinvin, who just managed to get "In", has his interest piqued by this
line and turns to face Darkshot.

>"To wonder about the world as it would be if you weren't in it, is to
>wonder about whether or not you have any effect _on_ this planet- and the
>tipoff is that "if ya got time to worry about it, well DAMN....."
>
>"I dunno. Maybe I'm too old to take part in the Place- maybe I shot my wad
>in looking for it, and so am unable to interact with the folks herein.
>
>"I dunno. But it seems to me that you all _live_ here. The same names come
>up time and time again- and I jst don't get it.
>
>"Trust me: The whole world is out there, and the only reason it doesn't
>work as well as the Place is because nobody's FORCED it to yet. The world
>DOES work in a rational manner around _me_; I demand that it does so.
>
>"You can do the same."
>
>"I recognize myself in all of you- and what I don't pity, I welcome. You
>folks have been kind to me, and I thank you for it. Remember, though-
>Callahans's is where you find it. Ya just gotta LOOK for it.
>
>With that, Darkshot turns and walks slowly out the swinging doors.
>He does not look back.

Merlinvin feels the need to reply, but is unsure where to start.

"My friend.  I don't think that all that many people _live_ in the Place.
I can't think of _anyone_ who strikes me as being constantly online,
with a "rn" process constantly monitoring the net for any electronic
flicker posted to alt.callahans.  There are quite a few who post daily;
just because they spend an hour or two of their free time netting here
doth not mean they are without a life!"

"Not all of us have the power or ability to force the world to
rationality; I envy you that skill.  Hell, I'd be happy to make the
Internet work in a rational matter, let alone the world as a whole!  I
wish you would share the techniques you use...  As for age, I don't think
anyone's too old for the Place; Spider's characters ranged from twenty to
two hundred (not including the Callahans themselves), so I'm sure you
fit somewhere in that range."

"I hope you find (or make) a place as safe and supportive as this.
Know that we'll be here if you need us."

After Darkshot leaves, Merlinvin steps over to Mike and lays two singles on
the bar.  "One's for me, Mike; the other is for Darkshot when he returns."

Merlinvin walks to the line and addresses the fireplace.

"To the dreamers, who show us where we need to go;
 to the doers, who show us how to get there;
 and to the denizens of the Place, who stand ready to heal the scars
   we get along the way."

<crash!>

__________________________________________________________________________
Ed Schweppe o/k/a Merlinvin - [e-mail],
    (or for faster replies)   [e-mail]
All standard disclaimers (also datclaimers and deotherclaimers) apply.