tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14848224.post5039747774768597898..comments2023-10-12T06:30:17.592-07:00Comments on Masonic Traveler: Steampunk FreemasonryGreg Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17688459525360750872noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14848224.post-4848336644703163972010-01-31T11:59:12.517-08:002010-01-31T11:59:12.517-08:00The genre of Steampunk literature is "punk&qu...The genre of Steampunk literature is "punk" not because of the people and the fans of the genre, but because it is dark ficiton like "cyberpunk." Steampunk shows us the same darkness that syberpunk does, a fantasy world either futuristic or anachronistic, that disturbs us and provokes us to see the injustices in our very realworld surroundings. In a fantasy world that is cyberpunk or steampunk, the author and reader explore today's unpleasantness. Reality is tough. Both intelligent ficiton, and intelligent ritual direct us to do good deeds, and find the light. Sometimes, as in the dark fictions authored by brilliant authors, the brightest lights are burning deep within the citizens who populate the dark and tragic universe we see on pages of books, or on the streets in our cities.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17235277214995039983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14848224.post-43482280636508999072009-07-07T09:11:28.816-07:002009-07-07T09:11:28.816-07:00I wonder where people get the notion of what '...I wonder where people get the notion of what 'punk' entails. We might look at the Ramones as an example. <br />Joey: a hippie liberal<br />Johnny: a drug-free Republican<br />Dee Dee: a drugged Republican<br /><br />The punk movement was very diverse and leaned as often as not toward the right wing polical viewpoint, being at times a backlash against the earlier and more liberal hippie movement. Tough to leave the skinhead punks and the straightedgers out as well.The K.N.O.https://www.blogger.com/profile/12355954452159078065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14848224.post-55583710464277797832009-04-24T14:32:00.000-07:002009-04-24T14:32:00.000-07:00I'm a bit late to the party... I remember seeing t...I'm a bit late to the party... I remember seeing this post last November and thinking, "huh," and moving on. With the benefit of a few more months of perspective on the Craft, I was perusing the Masonic Restoration Foundation's description of a <A HREF="http://www.masonicrestoration.com/images/DVC_-_The_Traditional_Observance_Lodge.pdf" REL="nofollow">Traditional Observance Lodge</A> (PDF link) this morning and upon reflection I think you've hit upon a very apt comparison.<br /><br />The "Traditional Observance" concept is often touted as a return to "the good old days," but I think that it's really more of a wistful re-imagining of Freemasonry through the lens of the way we believe it to have once been, as interpreted from such written accounts, artifacts, and photographs as have survived over the years and in reaction to the way the Craft (and society) have evolved into the 21st century. It retains many of the trappings and highest aspirations of the more philosophical, more formal, less distracted fraternity that inspired it, but I think the result is something new.<br /><br />I think it's a wonderful idea and would join a TO lodge in a heartbeat if there were any nearby, but I think that the movement should be careful not to attach too much importance to certain aspects of the concept. For example: candlelight is emphasized as a requisite for a Traditional Observance Lodge. From our 21st century perspective candlelight has a great deal more romantic/nostalgic meaning than it did to our Brethren in the 19th century, who were just using candles because that's what you used for light! (That being said, I'm all for anything that enhances the sense of gravitas and uniqueness of a lodge meeting, and plan to try to put together at least one TO-style meeting during my year in the East.)A.C.https://www.blogger.com/profile/12117678093305478443noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14848224.post-6048034777777632022008-11-17T14:31:00.000-08:002008-11-17T14:31:00.000-08:00astute...http://www.thegaslightgrotto.comastute...<BR/><BR/>http://www.thegaslightgrotto.comDruidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06654737255914020772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14848224.post-33047325803049671522008-11-16T13:13:00.000-08:002008-11-16T13:13:00.000-08:00This is a very thought provoking comparision.This is a very thought provoking comparision.The Palmetto Masonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08049500796697782077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14848224.post-8547630245731633432008-11-16T01:13:00.000-08:002008-11-16T01:13:00.000-08:00Jake,Some of us are Punks, some even Pirates. No, ...Jake,<BR/>Some of us are Punks, some even Pirates. No, they usually tend to be not very well liked :)<BR/><BR/>There is Freemasonry that is more geared twards what you mentioned<BR/>(gender equal and atheist) but it sure wouldn't be found in the "Traditional Observence."<BR/><BR/>As far as "throwing the doors open." Freemasonry can be a very powerful tool for throwing open the most hidden doors of the mind, but that is an arcane practice.<BR/><BR/>Awesome site BTW. Love the Steampunk Mac Mini. I would<BR/>love to do my upcoming home<BR/>all punked out. Let's see if<BR/>I can get the Mrs. to agree.<BR/><BR/>A Steampunk lodgeroom, how awesome would that be?<BR/><BR/>Cheers,<BR/>BCMagus Masonicahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17740839444564909542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14848224.post-70964865356594156752008-11-15T22:26:00.000-08:002008-11-15T22:26:00.000-08:00Wow, steampunk seems to have created a strong sens...Wow, steampunk seems to have created a strong sense of fan loyalty. It seems similar to Star Wars or Star Trek where props are created to evoke this style and fans dress as their favorite characters. How I might view TO and Steampunk is that TO Lodges are using what could be considered the best aspects of the Victorian age without the obvious baggage of Victorian society, such as the strict societal strata that pervaded the popular public perception. Steampunk also necessarily ignores these problematic aspects of Victorian life. I am not sure if this is, in and of itself, a problem or an improvement on an old bag. My opinion is to look at history, warts and all, and to resist the urge to be revisionist. That being said, I still enjoy the feel of Steampunk movies and literature.<BR/><BR/>NickMillennial Freemasonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10365269439441609340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14848224.post-51053101180311956282008-11-15T16:33:00.000-08:002008-11-15T16:33:00.000-08:00Don't forget the punk. Many of us are rather mili...Don't forget the punk. Many of us are rather militant on issues of gender, feminism, and deity (or lack there of). That may make us incompatible with Freemasonry.<BR/><BR/>Many of us also find secrecy to be anathema to progressive thought. Are there factions with in Freemasonry that favor throwing open the doors? They would be the Steampunks.Jake von Slatthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16503053276041399665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14848224.post-59505692482908637602008-11-15T12:26:00.000-08:002008-11-15T12:26:00.000-08:00This is a very good post. I love Steampunk, one co...This is a very good post. I love Steampunk, one could say that I have been taken from it ever since meeting the "man" himself, Mike Pondsmith.<BR/><BR/>If you are into motorcycles, type in "steampunk motorcycles" into Google. You will get some awesome links. It is a growing movement amongst gearheads.<BR/><BR/>I don't really know how Steampunk relates to the "Hodge Podge" that is T.O. Freemasonry, but it is an interesting topic to explore.<BR/>S&F,<BR/>BCMagus Masonicahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17740839444564909542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14848224.post-66364609624250738342008-11-15T02:23:00.000-08:002008-11-15T02:23:00.000-08:00Well, you've certainly sent your train of thought ...Well, you've certainly sent your train of thought down a unique track.<BR/><BR/>You may be dead on.Christopher Hodapphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04201859873755654395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14848224.post-85900575441316938282008-11-14T16:25:00.000-08:002008-11-14T16:25:00.000-08:00Awesome comparison piece, Greg. Of course, I am pa...Awesome comparison piece, Greg. Of course, I am partial to the original "Wild, Wild West". Artemus, how do you think of such great inventions?!<BR/><BR/>NickMillennial Freemasonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10365269439441609340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14848224.post-434893176112451402008-11-14T10:11:00.000-08:002008-11-14T10:11:00.000-08:00Thank you, Brother, for the fascinating and accura...Thank you, Brother, for the fascinating and accurate comparisons between Freemasonry and Steampunk. (It always seemed like a natural fit in my work.)<BR/><BR/>You also have a magnificent blog!<BR/><BR/>Fraternal Regards, <BR/>Wor Bro. Art Donovan<BR/>Wamponamon Lodge #437, Sag Harbor, NY<BR/><BR/>www.artdonovan.vox.comArt Donovanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01810885050839493428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14848224.post-69444826436882184782008-11-13T18:49:00.000-08:002008-11-13T18:49:00.000-08:00This has got to be one of the more interesting rec...This has got to be one of the more interesting recent ideas relating to our Craft. Definitely gives some food for thought!Prexyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09360373309806880168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14848224.post-43034820559525226022008-11-13T14:54:00.000-08:002008-11-13T14:54:00.000-08:00For me, personally, I think that's the perfect com...For me, personally, I think that's the perfect comparison, although I never would have come up with it on my own.<BR/><BR/>I just love that steampunk 'feel.' To me it's a feeling of outward simplicity and beauty hiding inner complexity. Much like the rituals.<BR/><BR/>Well done.<BR/><BR/>Oh, and Steamboy is an awesome movie.Catman ∴https://www.blogger.com/profile/16234732946355551105noreply@blogger.com