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Message from France to all
1909 Symposium on Philosophy, Europe and
Everything.
- by Prince Xavier Boar
[Hello this is Richard S. acting as this year's
commentator. My contract states that I can reveal my
identity as was true with the last commentator. I am a
bit disappointed in that Prince Boar will not be
lecturing this year. I guess that he was afraid of my
*sharp* wit!]
Hello good people of France. I will keep this State of
the Union speech short because I am excited about our
guest speaker. Things were looking very good, but they
are a bit shaky now. Rest assured that the Dauphin and I
will do our best. Just assume that I took my usual shot
at Ivy and sent warm fuzzies to Italy and Russia.
[Notice how short he kept his speech, fearing my *sharp*
tongue of critique!]
Philosophy
Our guest speaker today is Henri Bergson. He is a
Faculty member at the College de France. He has occupied
a chair in Greek Philosophy and now one in Modern
Philosophy. I consider him a teacher, a mentor, and a
good friend of France. His recently finish work (1907)
"Creative Evolution" is sure to someday be considered for
the Noble Prize. Without further ado, here is Professor
Bergson.
Bonjour. There is two things that I wish to teach you
about today. First that the world (through evolution)
has purpose and meaning, and I assure you that God is
still there. The second is that the primary function of
human intelligence is to to go to the heart of things, to
understand objects and events in the real world exactly
as they are. Let's start with the first goal ....
[Blah, blah, blah. I think that it is time to just end
this thing.]
[Richard S.]
[It is a good thing that they are paying me so well to
comment on this thing. Otherwise it would be unbearable.
I better cash this check before France collapses.]
Message from Russia to all
Busy. More later.
Message from Master to all
This is your gentle reminder to submit an E.O.Y report, if you're
so inclined.
Doug
Message [from Russia] to all
>Broadcast message from masseyd@btv.ibm.com as Master in 'titleist':
>
>This is your gentle reminder to submit an E.O.Y report, if you're
>so inclined.
Or even if you're not so inclined. :)
Message [from France] to all
>Broadcast message in 'titleist':
>Or even if you're not so inclined. :)
We know that is you Ivy :)
You just forgot to "mess up" and let us know.
Message from Russia to all
> 1909 Symposium on Philosophy, Europe and Everything.
> - by Prince Xavier Boar
> The primary function of human intelligence is to go to
> the heart of things, to understand objects and events
> in the real world exactly as they are.
"Does a tree falling alone in a forest make any sound?"
Isn't human understanding a function of individual interpretation, and
isn't it therefore influenced by our different experience and perceptive
limitations? In attempting to understand objects and events in the real
world, do we not influence and alter those events and objects, making
their fundamental nature inherently unknowable?
The living entity's original constitutional position is pure spirit. But a
human being who identifies with the material body may be said to be
in Maya. Maya means "not this." In the twilight, a curled-up rope is
sometimes mistaken for a snake. The imagined snake is "not this"
rope. One thing is mistaken for another. Thus beguiled by Maya, the
conditioned living entity considers the body to be the soul.
However, how can we mistake the rope for a snake unless we know
what a snake is? The conception of a snake is not in itself untrue or
unreal. The false identity is untrue or unreal. Similarly, the material
body is a product of Maya, the material energy of the Lord. Similarly,
the material world is ever manifest and again annihilated, just as waves
in the sea rise and recede. Thus the material world is a product of
Maya, just as the body is.
Therefore, in attempting to understand the "real world", you are
blinding yourself with illusion. The primary function of human intelligence
is, therefore, to understand itself, and its place in the true world of the
spirit.
Gregory Rasputin.
Message from Russia to all
"Moscow Izvestia"
by: Alix Hesse-Darmstadt January 15,
1910
A bruised, battered, and torn nation keeps vigil tonight as Czar
Nicholas and Tsarina Alexandria return to Moscow and convene
an emergency meeting of the Council of Advisors as the sounds
of war grow ever closer.
Sources report that Finance Minister, Sergei Witte, returned from
Siberia where he has been overseeing the construction of the
Trans-Siberian Railway, and began the meeting by tossing fistfuls
of Lira onto the council table; protesting the drain on expected
revenues that Italian occupation of Warsaw and Sevastopol had
caused, and warning the Czar that financial insolvency was likely
and that construction of the TSR would have to be cut back, if
not halted completely. "The economy is in near ruin and if action
is not taken quickly to drive the Italians from Russian soil, the
Empire will fall.", proclaimed the Finance Minister.
The issue of the continued occupation of St. Petersburg by the
English was raised by Union Steward V. I. Lenin. Lenin warned
that worker morale was suffering, and that this was negatively
impacting Production, pointing to the loss of Kiel and Holland
this Fall. Though Lenin did not mention it, revolutionary
pamphleteering has also increased sharply.
Okhrana signals experts reported that while there was no
evidence that the Turkish General Staff was responding to any
messages sent to Ankara, intercepts indicated that the French
continue their efforts to influence Turkish military planning. The
Okhrana analysts speculate that this is the most likely reason for
the continued Turkish occupation of the Black Sea, though they
were forced to admit that they had no hard evidence to support
this assertion. The signals experts also warned of increased
communication between England and Italy, and the possibility of
Anglo-Italian cooperation to further reduce Russian holdings.
Tsarina Alexandria made a calm but emotional plea to the
advisors to remain focused and to maintain trust in, and allegiance
to, the Czar; but while the Tsarina received due respect, the
presence of the "Mad Monk" Rasputin at her side has continued
to diminish her influence with all but Czar Nicholas.
Organized citizen rallies are on the decline, though strikes continue
to plague the economy, and widespread food shortages are
reported. Unrest and violence is becoming rampant as foreign
forces continue to occupy Russian cities. The question is will the
citizens rise up against the enemies of the State or the against the
Czar himself? .
Message from England to all
>"Does a tree falling alone in a forest make any sound?"
>
>Isn't human understanding a function of individual interpretation, ...
>The living entity's original constitutional position is pure spirit. But a
>human being who identifies with the material body may be said to be
>in Maya. ...
>However, how can we mistake the rope for a snake ... The primary function
>of human intelligence is, therefore, to understand itself, and its place
>in the true world of the spirit.
>Gregory Rasputin. ...
... who was intent on continuing, when Groucho, Harpo, and Chico turned
from pelting the hapless Margaret Dumont with tomatoes and redirected all
their frustrations at the even greater insanity coming from eastern Europe.
Message from France to all
Sacre Bulle!
All this talk of philosophy. I say we take Rasputin &
Bergson and put them together in a room, then throw in my
brother, lock the door and throw away the key. (I was
tempted to include Ivy too because of his contribution to
the discussions, but although we have our differences, I
would not punish anyone that much.)
Philosophy, Bah!
I say we end our differences, shake hands, and then get
together to invade Germany and take over Frederick's hot
tub!
LE DAUPHIN
Message from France to all
Mes Amis:
Did anyone go see Harry Potter? If so, or if you go
soon, please let me know if you think that it might be
too scary for an 6 and 8 year old. The Dauphin wants to
see it and he cannot handle too much excitement!
(Seriously, I am debating whether I should take my kids.
Any opinions would be much appreciated!)
France
Message from England to all
Did anyone else see the meteor shower?
My wife and I and a friend drove into the country to a dark spot at 4:30
a.m. this morning and saw about 1000 meteors in a little over an hour.
Spectacular.
I haven't seen Harry Potter yet. We expect to see it this holiday weekend
with our younger son, who is considerably older than Prince Boars children.
Ivy Wingo
Message [from Russia] to all
> Broadcast message from England in 'titleist':
>
> >"Does a tree falling alone in a forest make any sound?"
Yes.
http://www.banned-width.com/shel/works/differentdances/treefalling.html
Message [from Austria] to all
> My wife and I and a friend drove into the country to a dark spot at 4:30
> a.m. this morning and saw about 1000 meteors in a little over an hour.
> Spectacular.
I agree. (Hey! Ivy's on GMT-5 = Eastern Standard Time!)
> I haven't seen Harry Potter yet. We expect to see it this holiday weekend
> with our younger son, who is considerably older than Prince Boars children.
I suspect that children everywhere are going to join in the old lament -
"The movie was OK, but the book was better."
Message from France to all
>I suspect that children everywhere are going to join in
>the old lament -
>"The movie was OK, but the book was better."
Maybe they will say that about this game too? :-)
When they make the movie, do we get royalties?
Message from Master to all
I saw Harry Potter on Friday -- the movie toned down the dark themes
of the book. There are a few big ugly monster scenes at the end as
H+R+H solve the puzzles at the end of the movie that I would think would
scare 6 and 8 year-olds. But otherwise, I thought it was pretty light
on all the "Voldemort killed my parents" stuff that I would think
kids might have a hard time with.
With regards to the worry that kids will think the movie was OK
but the book was better: the movie was pretty darn true to the book.
The lopped of just a few things -- Mr. Dursley's skip-to-my-lou into
madness, the growth of Norbert the dragon, the potion puzzle in the
end -- but really, that was just shortening things a bit. I read
the book 3-4 months ago and couldn't remember much that was different.
The ending was "spot-on", as those wacky Brits would say. :-)
Have they read the book? If not, I'd take them to Monsters, Inc.
instead.
But what do I know? -- I'm not a parent.
Doug
Message from Master to all
We have an extension request from Wed 11/21 until after Mon 11/26 --
does anyone wish to add to that?
Doug
Message from Master to all
By the way, I wore the sweatshirt for the first time yesterday (for
those of you observing who are unaware, the players of 'titleist'
gave me a very gracious gift for running the VGFP tournament -- a
dozen Titleists and a sweatshirt with the Diplomacy map on the front
and this on the back: "Vermont Group Full Press Diplomacy Tournament"
and "I finished in 37th place in my OWN tournament!" Ha, ha, very
funny . . .). I drove to Cambridge Mass and played a game against
Adam Silverman, Mike Boutot, Melissa Nicholson and a few others.
On my way home, I stopped and McDonald's for a quick bite.
A gentleman approaches me in a McDonald's and asks me if
I play, so we talk about the game as I munch down a cheeseburger.
He mentions that he doesn't like email Diplomacy, but his son
used to play a good bit. I ask what his son's name is and he
says David Rosen, whom I recognize as a member of the Vermont Group
(but not one who lives in Boston or was playing at the game).
Neat, huh?
Doug
Message [from Russia] to all
> Game 'titleist' has a deadline of Mon Nov 19 2001 23:30:00 -0500.
> One or more players have not gotten their orders in.
Four hours until deadline people, let's get those orders in before the
Thanksgiving holiday is upon us!
England: Fleet English Channel → Picardy (*bounce*)
England: Fleet Irish Sea → Mid-Atlantic Ocean (*bounce*)
England: Army Kiel SUPPORT Russian Army Berlin → Munich
England: Fleet North Atlantic Ocean SUPPORT Fleet Irish Sea → Mid-Atlantic Ocean
England: Fleet North Sea CONVOY Army Yorkshire → Holland
England: Army Norway → Sweden
England: Army Yorkshire → North Sea → Holland (*bounce*)
France: Fleet Aegean Sea → Constantinople (*bounce*)
France: Fleet Albania → Greece
France: Fleet Brest SUPPORT Fleet Mid-Atlantic Ocean
France: Fleet Greece → Bulgaria (south coast)
France: Army Holland SUPPORT Army Munich → Kiel (*cut*)
France: Army Marseilles → Piedmont
France: Fleet Mid-Atlantic Ocean SUPPORT Russian Fleet Belgium → English Channel (*void*)
France: Army Munich → Kiel (*bounce, dislodged*)
France: Army Paris → Burgundy
France: Army Picardy → Belgium (*bounce*)
France: Fleet Spain (south coast) SUPPORT Fleet Mid-Atlantic Ocean
France: Army Tyrolia → Trieste
France: Army Vienna → Budapest (*bounce*)
Italy: Army Bulgaria → Constantinople
Italy: Fleet Constantinople → Ankara
Italy: Army Rumania → Budapest (*bounce*)
Italy: Army Serbia → Budapest (*bounce*)
Italy: Army Sevastopol → Armenia
Italy: Fleet Smyrna SUPPORT Army Bulgaria → Constantinople
Italy: Army Warsaw → Silesia
Russia: Fleet Belgium SUPPORT English Army Yorkshire → Holland (*cut*)
Russia: Army Berlin → Munich
Russia: Army Moscow → Livonia
Russia: Army Ukraine → Galicia
Turkey: Fleet Black Sea SUPPORT French Fleet Greece → Bulgaria (south coast)
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