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TITLE:THE PANDEMIC SCENOLOGY DEBATE - THE LONGEST SCENE ARTICLE EVER PALETTE:0223 089a 0aaa 0c89 THE PANDEMIC SCENOLOGY DEBATE Written by Mop/Essence, RokDaZone/Infect, Nimrod/42 and Macno/Abnormalia Scenology does not like to emphasize and exaggerate its language, as you well know, it does not like the screamed sensational news that seems so common and trendy in nowadays diskmags, it definitively does not use all the popular, demagogic, commercial tricks that catch the attention of the less keen ones among the sceners. Nevertheless I do not think to exaggerate when I write that what you are going to read is by far the most important event of Scenology history. I am extremely proud and slightly excited to introduce you the first universal Scenology debate ever held in the history of this science. For the occasion, after efforts that can hardly be described, it has been possible to gather around the same table ALL the living scenologists still in activity. It's easy to understand that such an achievement could be possible only with the massive and vital help of our sponsor, SCENERETICA, the sceners' producer you can trust blindly. I also take the occasion to remind you all that the Sceneretica gamma includes quality certified members of all kind for your group. Just ask for the complete menu; Sceneretica stocks coders, musicians, graphicians, swappers, sysops, editors and many other kind of sceners for every necessity (don't miss the new product, the spelling checker, indispensable for your diskmag). Ask to your Sceneretica agents also the modality to exchange your old group members with brand new talented ones, special offers are always on sale! Enough for the commercial break, let me finally introduce you the guests I have the honour of hosting in front of your monitor, they are: - Mop, main editor of the mag Rom, ex main editor of Compass, he is probably the world's bigger expert of diskmagazines, his publications about this wide subject have always been keen and well inferred, his logic and his eloquence are unbeatable. - Rokdazone, main editor of the Marvellous(!) Lunatic Balls, multi sub mag of innovative formula. His thirst of provocation is endless and also as member of the Scenology Academy he has managed to invent a personal and revolutionary current, the Socio-Scenology. - Nimrod, editor of 42, ex editor of RAW, his collaborations with other mags are various and important. He likes the taste of provocation too even if with a more sober style and calmer tones. Famous worldwide for his direct and non excessively diplomatic speeches, when he has something to say he just says that, whatever the interlocutor. - Macno, the host of this debate and Scenologist of the first hour, he had the luck of living in the same house Beppe used to inhabit and from the beginning he has been the official spokesman of the rat. As you can see all the scenologists worldwide were called for the occasion, nobody refused the invitation to such an historical event, even the ones that usually don't like public meetings and mundane occasions. I am sure you have grasped the importance of such an event, something never tried before, a real scenology debate which can teach more than a mere interview between two persons. MAC: Here we are, then, first of all let me express you, dear colleagues, all my pure joy for having you all here, I am proud and pleased of your presence in front of the reader's face and I am sure that he is excited as me at the idea of listening your sage and clever words. A discussion about the scene needs necessarily to begin with an introduction about the present of the scene. My dear Mop, you have the rare talent of conciseness, would you feel like enlightening us disclosing what are the trends and the most important aspects you're noticing in nowadays scene? MOP: They say that the scene is changing, but they, the poor sheep of the scene, don't really know what's happening. They try to cause havoc amongst other sheep, by entertaining disk magazine readers with their statements and views of the future. Yet, how can such beings entail into these worldly and important debates as the AGA syndrome, the importance of intros and the rise of 10Mb animation demos? To a certain extent, the scene is not changing very much. If we carefully look at the past we can see that most of today's ideas are borrowed from the time when crack intros where still an innovation; so to a certain extent, we can extern, with the aid of monumental thesis backing, that the scene is becoming a little stale. Big commercial events promise enormous money prizes and fair competitions to throw fog in the eyes of the poor scener. Commodore gives it's contribution by developing intricate mechanisms they like to call AGA, triple A and RISC machines. The most notorious personalities in the scene have also brought forward two ambiguous trends; that of blindly jumping into the PC scene, or to enter the game developing sector; two inevitable trends which are turning the whole scene into an anxious gathering of sheep waiting to be deprived of their precious wool. RDZ: I am somewhat bewildered to hear such kind of ego-boasting from a established Scenologist of your capabilities, dear friend. Who has ever legitimized the superiority of Scenologists? We ain't here to congratulate ourselves, but to deriddle questions that no one ever asked! This is also a trend of nowadays: Instead of having a provable factor as basis of scenish success, people try to euphemize their own minor deeds. Where is the difference if a swapper says: "I'm tha cewlest - I have 150 contacts!" or if you - Mop - bragg: "Yet, how can such beings entail into these worldly and important debates as the AGA syndrome, the importance of intros and the rise of 10Mb animation demos?" and thereby indicating that you for yourself can? From this structure on, the often demanded future trend "Back to the Roots!" will vaguely have success. NIM: To me, it sadly seems like you are missing the major point here: The Scene, as the rest of society, is going from production to consumption. Capitalist thinking has made the average scener into a mute consumer, letting diskmagazine editors do the talking for him. MOP: I say it once again; (* His voice hardens, his blood starts to boil, and his fists tighten up *) how can such beings entail into these worldly and important debates as the AGA syndrome, the importance of intros and the rise of 10Mb animation demos? But you, dear Rock, ... RDZ: Rok,.. it's RokDaZone, not RockDaZone. MOP: ...and only you, have expressed the fact that Scenologists are a superior breed in the society of the whole scene. Even if your declarations might be truer than God, it was ONLY YOU, who claimed such a rewarding diplomatic award for the Scenology community, and not me! I have never indicated that I, in my self, am in a position to give answers to such wise dilemmas. Maybe Beppe can, but not me, a miserable being, who even if you like to call established (and therefore automatically boost up my self ego to the outer limits!), are just another being. RDZ: I would like... (* Gets interrupted *) MOP: "Back to the roots!", yes, the solution to the meaning of life is just there. Just look at the same group, the holy sleeping legends of eternity, who made out of these same majestic words, an own slogan; a way of living. The whole scene has since long forecasted a cruel and painful death, for TRSI, yet their new releases dictate otherwise; and in the position I am now, I can firmly state that you ain't seen nothing yet! (the last paragraph was a paid advertisement) RDZ: I would like to... (* Gets yet again interrupted *) NIM: (* Comfortably leaned back in his chair, obviously amusing himself. Starts talking with a smug look on his face *) Well, now that Mop has let off some steam, the more balanced ones among us may get back to the point. The capitalist society and culture which makes it impossible to achieve the anarchistic Utopia. As I was saying before Mop interrupted me with his rather tasteless harangue of Rokdazone, well placed and necessary though it might have been; the Scener is more and more turning into the silent consumer, readily letting himself being dictated by what he feels being the proper authorities of the status quo, which he of course has been brought up to believe must always be upheld. Through a... (* Suddenly interrupts himself as he obviously notices someone or something hitherto unrecognized in the room. Casts a few wary glances around the set, clears his throat and starts to talk again *) Well, more of that on a later occasion. RDZ: I would like to... (* Looks angrily at Macno interrupting him *) MAC: (* With a nervous voice *) Yes, yes, Nimrod, your words have really been almost interesting, I have to say. Nevertheless I feel the urge somehow to take the parts of Mop, in this animated discussion. I somehow feel like he has been misunderstood and that his statements have given you, Nimrod, the occasion of diving into fields which are rather complex and dangerous and which probably don't fit the space and the time we are using now... (* Gets interrupted *) RDZ: I would like to add that... ehrm... Now I lost my point! At least I want to thank Nimrod for his true outspeaking. The scener is consumer which doesn't give Scenologists the right to state we ARE superior - although we might appear unearthly beings. (* Tries oppress a grin for having had the last word in this round *) MAC: (* Stares irritated RokDaZone, holds his breath for some seconds, scrapes lightly his nose and starts to talk with an icy voice *) I think it's the moment to move to another more interesting topic. (* Waits, looks around, continues *) The introduction of AGA machines in the market has provoked what is known as "AGA Syndrome". Scenology literature about this disease is quite large and you all have had occasions to study the phenomenon, what are the results you have obtained, dearest colleagues? MOP: What you call the AGA Syndrome or "Upgradableus Diseasium" has completely stormed the scene during the past year. To the intimidated scener, such a move can be interpreted as a God sent from Commodore themselves; yet deep studies have revealed that all this syndrome is just a massively spreading campaign from Commodore to get rid of the scene. The side affects are known to be many, and even though a massive percentage of the scene has already lost their lives in the process of upgrading, CBM seem to be not content enough with the results. Even tough, as at today no one can resist the AGA syndrome, our theories will soon have to be revised when the "AAA Tumour" (an advanced decayed status derived from the AGA Syndrome) is introduced. RDZ: Wrong! COMMODORE never tried to get rid off the scene, they always tried to get rid off the market. They finally succeeded as they've recently announced liquidation. The AGA Syndrome is therefore just a minour side effect to reach Commodore's major goal. The illness itself doesn't need to be described again here. I'd only like to repeat my own words: A solution would be first to confront the scener with the illness carefully (e.g. "you have to die") and then give him new aspects and make him a part of the scene, he lost - in another more idealistic way. The motto has to be: "AGA POSITIVE - I AM OK, YOU ARE OK!" In addition: Who really believes in a new generation of AMIGAs after the liquidation? MAC: We have already had the occasion, Rok, to compare our studies about the AGA Syndrome, I have also to underline openly here that I wasn't excessively glad to see your results published before mine, also because they were directly connected to my earlier works (* Raises his hand and interrupts RokDaZone before he interrups him *), but that's not a serious problem, as long as it's not repeated. What instead is worth your attention is the evidence that AGA Syndrome is driving many sceners to suicide or, worse, to leave the scene. Yes, the actual quantities are less than expected, somehow many have preferred to buy an AGA machine instead of dying for their illness, but that's not a good reason to treat the whole problem in your "idealistic" way, RokDaZone. What's this matter "AGA positive, I am OK, you are OK"??? You call this a cure? The real medicine exists and has been developed in the Scenology applied laboratories. It's not yet on the market because our technicians are looking for some side effects which could eventually require the development of another medicine, which has obviously to be copyrighted before the concurrence. (* Ignores RokDaZone who was ready to interrupt and turns towards Nimrod *) Were you going to say something, Nimrod? NIM: The AGA syndrome is in my opinion not something Scenology, a science in its birth and with scarce resources, should divulge in too much study of yet. As any other condition of this sort, the AGA syndrome will stop itself in the long run. For the time being, we should limit ourselves to only recording information about the AGA syndrome, leaving the process of actual research and analysis to a time where the ranks of scenologists, as well as our bank accounts, are better filled. MAC: Well, that's always an opinion, I don't agree but thanks for it. MOP: Nimrod's studies about the ways of how the Syndrome can stop by itself in the long run of the forthcoming years, open new doors for a hope of a better world. If my colleague will allow me to entail deeper in his findings, after this discussion, I would maybe be able to present other visions of the future of AGA, in another debate, if the need will arise. Rock's... RDZ: Rok,.. it's RokDaZone, not RockDaZone. (* Finally interrupts *) MOP: ...corrections about Commodore's marketing strategies are even more entertaining. The scene, which just like everyone knows, rose from an expanding and commercialistic market, is still the major organization, mostly hit because of CBM's latest deficiencies. A new generation of Amigas after Commodore's liquidation? It can be, it can be not. Everything will depend on the future purchaser or investor, that will be mad enough to mix up with Commodore! Moreover only the Bahamas office went down; the rest of Commodore is still functioning quite well... they even released the A4000T! (T stands for Tower not Terminator) But on the other hand, just look at what happened to CD32. At first there was no software. Then there was some crap software. Then there were some 100 or so, titles, amongst which a quarter or so, were usable for entertainment purposes. Nowadays, every AGA hit is immediately converted to CD32, and by the fall of this year, over 400 titles will storm all stores across all countries. NIM: Of course Mop, you will have full access to all data afterwards, though I feel there is limited what you may find, having your long and extremely competent research in the area on my mind. Something I feel I nevertheless may contribute with in the discussion, is my discovery of a new religion. Certain elements in the Scene have started grouping and waiting for "The Coming". These cults have many similarities to fundamental Christian societies. By praying and the sharing of visions (often called "verified rumours") they support each other waiting for a buyer for Commodore to turn up. Typically, prophets declaring doom (that a buyer will not turn up) and demand contrition and penance have appeared. I feel this broadening of Scenology into theology might give interesting results. MAC: Brilliant illumination, Nimrod, I don't know if some scenologists believe in this new adventist religion but I am sure it's worth further Scenology studies. They say it's quite an healthy market... RDZ: (* Looks carefully around for eventual interruptions *) In case I may correct my humble colleague Mop once again: A4000T was released quite some time BEFORE the liquidation - I don't want to state that Malta (Mop's homeisland) is AMIGA-third world, but you'd better check out another Commodore-dealer... To refer to Nimrods words, I am deeply impressed about his short "The Coming"-interpretations which could explain differences that recently tumbled through the scene, but here, an essay would be useful. (* Oppresses a major grin as he again had the last word in a round of discussion *) MAC: (* Casts a false benevolent smile to RokDaZone *) Talking about religions and syndromes we can't forget the so-called "Helmet syndrome" which has really reached huge incidences among diskmags editors, according to some released and unreleased studies... (* Speaks slower *) you all have been affected by the syndrome. (* Smiles uneasy *) We have had in the past motive of contrast about this aspect, what are you points about the problem? Do you think to be actually affected by it? MOP: I cannot feel otherwise than offended when You, Macno, make such unbased and infantile statements towards Us; Your esteemed colleagues. I can derive from the obscene gestures and wry expressions of my colleagues, that I can hereby state that We are absolutely immune to what you call the "Helmet Syndrome". (* RokDaZone starts a quite disturbing murmur *) Since We are in many, I can firmly state that the only one affected by this syndrome must be You, dear Macno. And through our recent theoretical studies and elaborations We have also found innumerable backup to our statements. The side affects that have invaded your mind status, and which can be affirmed through the past issues of your delirium magazine, Abnormalia, are many and too afflicting to list them here, yet we can mention that our theories have indicated the exact results we were suspecting for a long study period; the final and subliminal state of this syndrome; that to take over the place of Lord Helmet himself. (* Macno hardly prevents himself from replying immediately *) RDZ: I want to offend any of the here bysitting and really dear colleagues, but I can't reveal that I've found implicit splinters to massive trees of the Helmet Syndrome in the many of the mags from the here present writers. No one of us is immune, but of course it is quite difficult to say this openly. Especially, when one wants to become the number one mag instead of just number two... (* Who the hell is he thinking of? *) NIM: I am afraid that I must say I agree with RokDaZone here, but it is too simple to say that it only is in the function of diskmagazine editor one may be stricken by the Helmet syndrome. Through meticulous study I have found clear evidence that scenologists are especially exposed. It might be objected that scenologists usually are diskmagazine editors, but this is no kind of proof against my claim as this only shows that it sometimes are the same traits of character that may draw an individual to scenology as diskmagazine editing. The fact that scenologists may be attacked by the Helmet Syndrome is especially made clear when investigating scenology reports where the author claims not only to have brought scenology a little step forward, but briskly states to have found a final and absolute solution. Claiming to be the sole distributor of truth is as we all know one of the classic symptoms of the Helmet Syndrome. RDZ: I guess we have misunderstood us here, I meant that each scener is endangered, but those who spread reports about the matter (editors and/or scenologists) often claim to be immune - which in fact they ain't. I for myself have my itches to scratch sometimes! MOP: Seeing that my same words, those uttered in the vainly hope of defending the hereby seated scientists (apart from you Macno, who doesn't even have the look of a scientist), I must agree about one of the most fundamental side effects of the Helmet Syndrome; that of unawareness. As you, my dear colleagues try to insinuate and direct your same accusations towards my self, I can only conclude, that just like me, you can all be even more afflicted by this same deadly syndrome; you cannot know it; no one can! NIM: A sobering comment on the right place there, Mop. Though to my eyes, it seems like you missed one the more important implications of your own words: The need for an effective way to diagnose this treacherous condition at an early stage. My suggestion is that from now on this search for a reliable and quick test must be given top priority in the scientific community. RDZ: I would like to add something to strengthen Nimrods position here, but your simple outspeaks, Mop, indicating Nimrod and me both are collaborating against you, let me think that I'd better stay calm - yet in protest! (* An astounded murmur rushes through the audience *) MAC: (* With the voice of who wants to scream and hardly remains calm *) As scenologist and diskmag editor I feel somehow that your words, my dear Rokdazone and Nimrod, could be addressed also towards me, not to mention your own ones, Mop. To defend myself from the accuse of being affected by the Helmet Syndrome is not the case, since one of the interesting facts about the disease is that the person affected doesn't know to be affected, as Mop has noticed. I would like also to underline that no serious scenologist pretends to hold exclusively the truth, the examples you have found in your studies, Nimrod, are probably bad cases of misuse of the Scenology methods. I would invite you to signal such disagreeable publications to the Faculty itself, in order to punish eventually the deviated scenologists who have forgotten the basic principle of every science: Doubt. (* Looks everybody with a friendly and reconciling smile, the atmosphere gets more relaxed *) Said this I would shift our speech towards another interesting matter. After a long and suffered study, I've came up to the absolutely real conclusion, revealed to the public in the first issue of ROM, that the whole existence of the scene and the real reason which motivates sceners to make scene productions is just the desire of showing the superiority of the machine Amiga on the other computers. What's your opinion about this extraordinary intuition? MOP: Once again, the scener decided to follow, those few pioneering sheep that had once decided that the Amiga was the best computer ever. This was a very rightful statement in a time when the first Atari ST and 8088 PCs started to appear; nowadays things have changed radically, yet the scene flock has also grown considerably. In the meantime PCs have grew bigger; a normal PC is now equipped with SVGA graphics, 16 bit sound cards, CD ROM, huge SCSI hard drives and even FMV modules, coupled with a 66 Mhz processor, thrown in for good measure. A souped up Amiga, armed with all these PC standards would cost an eye and an arm. The PC has nowadays stolen enough talents from the Amiga and Falcon world to have a strong demo scene; revolutionary programmes and FMV software always turn up on this machine first, and then, MAYBE converted to our Amiga. Amiga demos might still be able to hold a superiority level on their smaller PC brothers, yet what will happen to the PC demo scene, towards the fall of this year, when FMV will become another standard in the PC world, and Amiga sceners would be still dreaming about this piece of extravagant hardware? We are all tied sentimentally to this machine; that's why we're all still here, and not grazing other greener pastures. RDZ: Once again the truth that the car of a man equals to a extension of his penis might be added by the sub-sentence: "...and the computer of his pleasure dome." Where is sense in all this nonsense about who has the faster processor and all of this kind? Factual is: The AMIGA is the computer with nowadays the most active scene, but not with the most superior character. Perspectives are: Pretty dark. Hopes are: Exaggerated nowadays. The best computer is: The one the individual loves to work with. This could also be a ViC20... The PC has outdated the AMIGA and the RISC generation will outdate the INTEL-PC. That's the way of life. Just like that. By the way. Did someone knew that there is an active scene on the ViC20? NIM: Claiming that the Amiga scene, or any other computer scene, is made to demonstrate this model's superior capabilities is in my opinion one of the weirdest claims ever made. The Amiga scene is hardly known outside its own closed circuits! If someone wanted to prove the superiority of a computer, this individual would not have made obscure programs to "spread" among teenagers. (* Macno looks surprised at Nimrod, sets himself up the seat ready to reply and is interrupted *) MOP: I quite agree with the illustrious statements put forward by Nimrod, who has finally dared to class Macno's own theories as weird. I cannot understand what kind of programs of the obscure kind, might be more popular with teenagers? Maybe Nimrod can be more direct in his extensions. RokDaZone's superiority list, clearly shows where the future will lead us to. Ages will have to pass by until a low end Amiga will come equipped with a RISC processor; that is if any new Amigas will come out! So are you, Rock, ... RDZ: Rok,.. it's RokDaZone, not RockDaZone. MOP: ...suggesting the whole scene to move over to the Mac? RDZ: Naaaw, really not! I just hope that what we know nowadays as scene will spread its basic ideals and principles to other system that will come hence. I don't believe the Mac's leave much space for a scene nowadays - although I tend to believe that there will be (maybe already is) a small copy of a scene - like on the Archimedes. By the way, I guess Nimrod means demos and alikes by the "obscure programmes". (* Can hardly oppress his grin here for the known reasons *) MAC: (*Grins back to RokDaZone, glad to steal him the round's last words *) Needless to say that I completely disagree with you, Nimrod, since my studies, which lasted various hours, are surely right and complete. I am also surprised that you, Mop, agree with Nimrod, since you didn't seem to dislike my theory when you published its divulgatory article on ROM. (* Grins and interrupts Mop's replying attempt *) But let's change topic again; many articles writers and some scenologists have tried to describe the various races of sceners, RokDaZone, for example, has written the brilliant essay about party-sceners published in Abnormalia 3.14. Do you think that new figures, new roles, new kind of sceners are going to take shape in nowadays scene? MOP: Most sceners fall into two main categories; the grazers and the shepards. The grazers, in their turn fall into hundreds of other categories, who even if their use is of no overall importance to the scene, still clinge together and try to influence the masses. Editors and writers, are a good example; they have existed since the very beginning hidden behind scroll texts, until recently brought the disk magazine phenomenon to new heights. They even influenced the existent charts, and made them believe that they are a vital category to include. RDZ: First, I'd like to thank you, Macno, for the nice words about my essay. It was just a first step in that direction and now I come to know with pleasure that people acknowledged the possibility of structuring the scener-categories. The major division into Shepards and Grazers by you, Mop, is an interesting point to follow, still I wonder why you've put the editors underneath the grazers when having stated before, that editors are superior to the masses. I also can only follow your demandings to insert a vivid editors-charts. Something I'd like to add however, is the danger in it: It will only feature (as a matter of experience from the first careful steps in that direction) main-editors. Which might draw a wrong picture of the editors microcosm. NIM: As to directly pose my opinion of a possible answer to Macno's question: On the matter of new Scene-identities I think we only will see more and more roles "growing out of the woodwork". As RokDaZone, as well as other scenologists, carry on this research we will see the need for more differentiation. At the same time the usual Scene-evolution will cause new "titles" to appear. If works on Scenology should become casual reading among sceners we might get such effects of narcissism that people could come up with new roles just to have the pleasure of seeing their name "in print". MOP: I am more than happy to hear RokDaZone's sage words, about the possible categorizing of the sceners' community. But again, I can back up my same words and again state that writers, or editors, as you like to call them, are nothing more superior than the coder, graphician, musician, or what have you. Is this an indication of racism towards the other scene jobs? By this I'm not affirming that ANSI artists, swappers, organisers, leechers, traders and the rest of the scene are anything inferior. No everyone should be treated equally in this scene, but does it actually happen? (* Witty remark by RDZ: "No!" He's clever isn't he? *) The possibility of editors' charts, being dominated by the most known main editors, is quite substantial, and that's why, if you can remember, I had suggested to start a WRITERS CHARTS, and not exclusively an editors' one. However, your theories, Rock,... RDZ: Rok,.. it's RokDaZone, not RockDaZone. MOP: ...have been clearly proven wrong by the same REAL CHARTS in the latest Propaganda issue. Yourself, even without being any main editor, apart from the Marvellous Lunatic Ball, which isn't a whole magazine, but just a section in a magazine, graze highly towards the top! That can only indicate that even if Lord Helmet can fool the scene with his spelling mistakes, a part of the scene is still in a position to judge by talent! RDZ: I haven't read Propaganda as I haven't followed the scene doings some months, I am afraid, but one or two writer underneath dozens of main-editors? And why are main-editors of the most popular mags always the best writers? They often only write a quarter of the articles! ... Ehrm, do you remember at which position I was ranked then? NIM: Here I would like to point out that even though Mop and RokDaZone's chart discussion may be quite interesting, charts have outlived themselves. An effective way of stopping all this obsolete and energy draining bickering over chart positions would be to let a committee appointed by the Scenology Faculty publish a quarterly report of who really are the most skilled active Sceners at the moment. Thus, we would be guaranteed the first truly objective, up to date and competent chart in history. This way we will have removed an entire genre of uninteresting disk mag articles. (Articles on chart cheating, too old votes, voting for the most popular or the most skilled, etc.) I will not tolerate accusations of authoritarian tendencies for my suggestion of abolishing an institution which in it initial outlook may seem democratic though. If you ask for a competent report on nuclear physics you do not take up polls, you ask a physicist. The Scene is no less complex than atomic nuclei. RDZ: "Hopp! The weasel jumps", eh? About the scene's complexity you are right but it is also at least as feverish as a neutron bomb - charts are here to stay, a plain fact, they are demanded. Who should participate in this essay? The best writers write about themselves? (* He forgets to grin here *) MAC: I must recognize that your idea is really interesting, Nimrod, and not only because, as someone could evilly suggest, I welcome whatever enlarges Scenology's power. The fact, anyway, is that after all sceners have their own primary necessities, their demands, and, as Rok has underlined, to be ranked in a chart is a pretty strong one. After all this same debate could be seen as a struggle of sceners who want to climb Articles writers-charts, even if it isn't as we all know. (* Looks around for confirmations, everybody nods *) Lately there have been various discussions about the Masters of The Scene, it's a delicate matter which is supposed to be handled with care, since their eventual power and their influence is quite unknown, even if possibly bigger than any possible expectation. Do they exist? Who are they? At which points can arrive their obscure hands? MOP: The Masters of the scene are subtly hidden hands who like to play a game which they've become immensely addicted to; that game is called scene life, and we are their humble puppets. Most disk magazines and scenology experts have put various suppositions about the latest scene tremours; the fall of Lemon, the changes in Spaceballs, RAW, TFG and Sanity's magazine, the radical changes in Compass, the decline of Kefrens and rise of Polka... the Master are there, watching us. RDZ: The Masters are pure fiction if you ask me. It is just the wish of a might to take over responsibilities for ones own doings. All in all I - as a practising nihilist - say that the movement, seemingly behind this Masterisque happenings, may be defined as panic stricken mass-stampedes. NIM: I agree with RokDaZone, though I would like to add that the hunting for a conspiracy instead of rationally searching the truth, which may be complex and uncomfortable, is an age-old pastime. (Though I am not claiming conspiracies never is the right solution. "My being paranoid does not necessarily mean nobody is after me.") MOP: You, Rock and Nimrod are claiming the non existence of The Masters, thus being more realistic and more rational. However, our interlocutor and my goodself, are more adventurous and prefer to think otherwise, thus creating a perfectly balanced flow of ideas. It should always be like this. RDZ: Rok,.. it's RokDaZone, not RockDaZone. MAC: I don't know if I'm happy of having this "balanced flow of ideas", as you call it Mop. My same opinion about the existence and the power of these Masters is quite erratic. I don't know if I always believe in their existence, but that's not a good reason to be satisfied with that and to accept peacefully the presence of opposite opinions. I would reccomend further researches on the topic, after all it's not exactly a secondary one, I suppose. In any case, if the debate about the Masters is still controversial and uncertain, the existence of Priests of the Scene is a certainty and actually even among you I can find some, or at least someone who longs to become one. What is the image of these priests amongst the normal sceners? How do you think they are going to handle their power? Are they dangerous? Is there really the "Master" behind them? MOP: The priests of the scene, or the main editors of the best 5 disk magazines, have a huge power, only because the modern scener lives on disk magazines; without them he won't be able to find enough satisfying food to feed his scene obsessed mind. The priests can be seen as one of the most lethal weapons in this scene; their words are a commandment to live and follow; their suggestions are the hope for a better future; Their allies are many. After the recent retirement of the biggest Priest (who incidentally is also said to have met face to face with the Masters), the scene expected the second biggest priest to take his place, yet others seem to be aspiring to such a position too. RDZ: May I have another one of this lovely juice? (* Laughters and a small break set in, whilst a quite cute young woman serves another round of drinks *) ... thank you, dear. But back to the question: I feel ashamed if we as editors of reasonable standard try to struggle to become priestlike. I have to criticise however, that here there are made statements without deeper background information. Helmet gets ridiculed in and by this round for no point really and I wonder if this isn't just the first step in a row to open the biggest battle for chartrankings in scene history? Especially the old-school Scenologists here at the table just seem to love their position of power. A state I as Socio-Scenologist can't accept. We are should be instrument of the masses and not aux contraire to achieve more power. I say, as long as we have those foolish self-addicted priests, we have an oppressed scene-society. If the elite starts to battle itself, we may challenge it at ease! (* He jumps up in friction with a lifted fist *) Arise and walk! Brothers, to freedom to sunlight! (* A tumult sets in; the whole discussion gets stopped for several minutes in which a advertising block is shown *) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -- S C E N E R E T I C A --- Your scene as you dream it -- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -- We build sceners for every taste -- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -- SPECIAL DEBATE OCCASION: Four scenologists at the price of a journalist! -- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NIM: (* Clears his throat *) Yes, the Priests of the Scene. Priests, Why such melodrama? In real life these are called opinion makers. Their actions are not guided by some metaphysical hand, they are just following their own more or less low motifs. Out of this patchwork any pattern the beholder wants may be read, conspiracies, religious indoctrination, political assassinations. But it is not always the pattern instantly makes any sense, like in the Scene, in such cases the more imaginative theories blossom at full. As Scenologists we should struggle against anything resembling the spreading of dogmas. MAC: I would have really many things to say now (* Looks ferociously Rokdazone who tries to look fierce *), I could talk about the arrogance of newcomers who think to discuss the Scenology basic principles (* MOP nods in acceptance *) (* RDZ sees him and shows him his tung *) with extemporaneous and faible new currents which don't add anything new to the Science, I could remind you all that certain persons who have previous talked are not exactly models of coherency and transparency, I could also condemn certain populist and demagogic declarations, but I won't do that. I forgive, I forget, I know that certain declarations are children of exhibitionistic tendencies. (* Waits, looks around, silence *) MAC: (* Breaths deeply *) Many have discussed about the dynamics of swap letters in northern Lappland and the debate is still hot and open. What do you think about this important matter? MOP: Unfortunately, my Scenology thesis do not extend to such far away lands, still the contents of swap letters is an intricate derivative issue which many scenologists amongst you would surely like to entail into. RDZ: I am in the same position as my forespeaker. NIM: Though I have not studied this to any greater depth, I still feel competent of saying a couple of words on this matter, living closer to these strange areas than many other scenologists. The Scenglish of Lappland is quite special, one may even observe influences from languages long thought extinct, Finnish, for instance. Where Scenglish of civilized areas of Europe is , as Macno earlier has pointed out, merely incomprehensible, Scenglish of Lappland manages to be vulgar and rude at the same time as well. This makes it even more incredible that swapping not yet has totally disappeared from Lappland, though the unique psyche of the inhabitants could be the answer to this riddle. MAC: I appreciate your precious notes about the philologic problem which strongly affects the same dynamics of swap letters in Lappland. As you maybe know I have passed some time of my life (the usual seven or eight minutes) learning Finnish and I must admit that I have been fascinated by the bizarre language and by the rare, curious and generally insane guys who talk it. I would rename their scene language a "Perkeleen Scenglish", for its strong and powerful accents, for his natural and pure sound, for its lovely rhythms. Forgive me, dear colleagues, for this dive into romanticism, but a part of my heart is in a finnish sauna, the brain swimming in Lapin Kulta pools, the veins already filled by Koskenkorva. NIM: (* Wiping away a tear *) A very interesting digression, indeed, there Macno. I must admit that I was somewhat touched by the way your scientific mind was borne away by your muse. As Scenologists, we must never forget that research is art. MAC: Thank you, Nimrod, thank you. The digression about Perkeleen Scenglish has been necessary to introduce a new topic. The mag scene seems to find a new trend. Maybe bored or irritated by the spreading Helmet Syndrome, someone has started to make diskmags which claims to treat scene matters in a serious and sober way. Oepir Risti, Compass and ROM are just some examples. What's is happening to many main editors? Are they all affected by Scenologite? Is Scenologite just the natural antagonist of Helmet Syndrome? Do you really think that they are incompatible? MOP: In a time when RAW and its unlimited copies struck the scene, boredom could be seen across the face of the whole scene. Even though new ideologies rose up, Scenarium and Lunatic Ball being just two of the few, the scene wanted something different; a RAW of the present. Investigations were made; polls were spread; rumours have been set up and party attenders have been consulted. The introduction to this new phenomenon came upon us in the form of Oepir Risti. Compass struck onto the scene with a sensational innovation, since it mainly extended the main concept of presenting the scene as a cultural organization with rich and healthy morals; a presentation which was warmly welcome even amongst the most active crackers and the filthiest porno freaks! Now we have ROM. Is this the new bible of a new era? RDZ: I understand your boasting of ROM as I came to know you're one of the mains behind it. Let me tell you something: The scene has to pose itself into question the very moment that the community tries to see itself as an culture. Being scener refers more to Dada - an art which is set up to question art. I saw Compass as being born out of boredom. Maybe there was a new idea behind it, but many people didn't come across this point - overall it's just another mag under many - although I can't hide that it is much better than most of the others - and also ROM will turn out the same way when being left alone by the idea of adultery. SCENARIUM and THE MARVELLOUS(!) LUNATICS BALL - which strangely enough both appear as subsections - seem to me the more logical steps as it was about time, to stop the infantile adultery - "We have to get adult and we want it know!" Ipso facto: Trying to make the Scene an adult culture is the equivalent of learning to read by taking Marx's Capital for the first steps. NIM: Editors claiming to handle Scene matter "in a serious and sober way" are simply so badly affected by the Helmet Syndrome that they hardly resemble the the casual victim anymore. They hide their bids for leadership in the Scene, a commodity approximately as useful as a mirage no one can see, behind "serious" discussions. Mop, you need help. MOP: What surprises me, is the fact that such a personality with wide ideas as Rock,... RDZ: Rok,.. it's RokDaZone, not RockDaZone. MOP: ...is claiming a somewhat resemblance between ROM and COMPASS, without having ever seen ROM. According to you, COMPASS was born out of boredom; you have your right as an Academy member to express your opinions, but you are also forgetting the reaction of the masses. "COMPASS is boring because it doesn't write kewl, but cool"; this might be the reaction of a minority of the scene, but you, Rock;... RDZ: Rok,.. it's RokDaZone, not RockDaZone. MOP: (* His voice hardens *) ...you just class COMPASS as boring, when you then say that it is much better then most of the other magazines. So what? Apart from 3 or 4 magazines, the rest are boring? Abnormalia is boring? 42 is boring? Of course not, but even these same magazines don't apply to the masses. But I can't affirm that they are boring just because of this. Then we come to ROM; a magazine that hasn't even been released yet. Even if ROM won't have any Scenariums or Marvellous(!) Lunatic Balls (because there can only be one!), I'm still convinced that you, Rock,... RDZ: Rok,.. it's RokDaZone, not RockDaZone. MOP: ...can find a pleasant thing or two in this same publication. If not, then I would be more than pleased to delve myself into your forthcoming thesis works, "Boredom in the scene - an art to avoid." RDZ: No need for irony, Mop. Everyone after his own peril. If I dislike the style of Compass, then it's my taste and that shouldn't be attacked by tactful people! The mentioned mags ain't boring in my opinion, because they don't boast seriousness more than anything else. They have some light tones which make them more enjoyable to me. If there will be reason to change my opinion about ROM, I will happily do so - don't you think that criticism in the forefield is more constructive then after the release? MAC: (* Mumbling ironically *) What a surprising idea... MOP: I'm also looking forward, Dr. Nimrod, to get some help from you, in your prestigious clinic. But for the time being I need to finish ROM, so you'll have to wait a little bit more. However, you cannot continue to claim that serious writings hide any kind of self thirst for power; then even the Spandimerda movement is hiding the rise of wars and battles, behind what seems sarcastic comments, which in fact cause more damage then intended! NIM: Your point is indeed noted, Mop, in some of their essence your words do indeed have a fragrance of a truth - although an idealist's truth. I hope your stay at our clinic will be rewarding. (* RDZ giggles silly *) MAC: (* Interrupts whoever intended to continue *) Err... I see that discussions about personal magazines tend to get rather... uhm... personal. I have also to remind you, Nimrod, that free advertising for your clinic won't be tolerated anymore, I hope you understand... we have exclusive sponsors who prefer to remain exclusive. Mop has mentioned the Spandimerda movement, probably rude and tribal initiatives like this don't appeal to serious scenologists as you. What's actually your opinion about this noisy movement? Do you think it's what the public wants? Is Spandimerding just a face of violence? MOP: Violence and Spandimerda statements go hand in hand. What had originally been painted as an ironic attempt to see the scene through different glasses, crashed completely on it's originator, who now seems to have wrapped a new cover around an old game. (* Macno nods with approval *) Even though The Spandimerda Committee has to be respected, it must also be stopped in all manners. The scene does not want any wars; such complimentary statements you usually read in disk magazines are all faked sensations, just made up to inject some new glamour! RDZ: Who has ever said that SPANDIMERDA awards necessarily have to be something to be neglected? Media evolves in many ways and without satire and sarcasm, we still would probably read pure monarch propaganda! No, the point can't be to condemn Spandimerda. It must be seen as another interesting field to study. What worries me most is the social aspect: Single sceners are getting dragged out to be vexed by the editor. The victim has no possibility to defend and - much like the late stadium of the Helmet Syndrome - is getting caught in a whirl of anger and lust. Here the intellectual level is as low as can be and only minour instincts get appealed to. Therefore it's the ideal field of reading for the average scener. Spandimerda IS a matter of violence, but COULD be a matter of constructive criticism. NIM: Spandimerding IS what the public wants. Even if the individual has no direct possibility to defend, or even exactly because the scener can not defend directly, it is still something other sceners like. Spandimerding is verbally violent, and sceners like such violence when they are not directly involved. The fact that they could be the next victim themselves is of little importance. If spandimerding is popular, trying to stop the Spandimerda Committee will only make someone else follow the trend, in fact, it has already happened. MAC: I somehow believe that the Spandimerda movement is a sign of the times. Scene life is degenerating fast, such as morality and sobriety of the whole society. It is obvious that future is approaching us much faster than before. Man is still not used to such rapid changes and his morality has to be challenged continuously, to an extent where, I presume, it will be completely overwhelmed. Under some points of view, someone could consider immoral also the activity of our sponsor SCENERETICA. Personally I think that a professional and serious market of sceners can only benefit the scene groups, what is your opinion about our sponsor SCENERETICA, the leader in sceners trade and production? Before answering, I would suggest you to remember that our nice discussion was made possible thanks to its generous help... MOP: If the scene and therefore it's productions have to continue their path of evolvement, a more professional approach must be sought for. Since the scene has already become too professional, it is the sponsors who must step in to give a helping hand. In one way it can be seen as a clear sign of advancement; Abnormalia is now sponsored by SCENEretica, whilst ROM is sponsored by LEGO LAND INC. The next victims of the sponsorship tendencies will be demos (sponsored by the likes of Pepsi and Coca Cola), trackmos (sponsored by Mitsubishi, Fiat and Sega) and crack intros directly sponsored by Ocean and Psygnosis. NIM: The trend you're describing there, Mop, is indeed already coming to life. As people with an eye for logos surely already have noted; Andromeda is sponsored by the sports equipment chain stores G-Sport. (Some rumours also claim the Norwegian Worker's Party also has unofficial influence on Andromeda.) I must here also thank our sponsor SCENERETICA for their truly professional and helpful service to Scene. SCENERETICA does indeed mark the coming of bright new future for all of us. (Their generous donations to us do of course have nothing to do with my praise of great corporation.) RDZ: (* Nonchalantly hiding the fat "42" on his chest *) As socio-scenologist (* The others roll their eyes by sighing loudly *) ... I as socio-scenologist am against any kind of sponsoring, as it endangers the idea of a clean and free scene with joyful relationships between people of different nations and sheep on green fields under a blue sky and all that rubbish. Still, I'd like to greet my FRIENDS from FRUIT OF THE GLOOM(tm) - the real wear for losers - for all their assistance in making the MARVELLOUS(!) LUNATICS BALL such a major success in the splendid diskmag for the scene: 42 - the only mag that doesn't try as it already can! MAC: Uhm dunno if I can accept here FREE advertisements of the concurrence... Director, what do you think, have we to cut this scene? A DEEP VOICE FROM NOWHERE: No, it's not necessary, for this time. MAC: Ok, you are the boss here. So where were we? Uhm... Commodore is gone, the japs are coming, Amiga's future is uncertain, I like PCs. (* Nimrod grabs around his glass, his knuckles turning white, his whole body is shaking *) Is the scene going to suffer severe changes? Is it perhaps going towards a slow decline, like the C64 one, have we reached the second part of its parabola? I am somehow worried by how fast the scene has moved to AGA machines, are sceners that influenced by a consumist mentality? MOP: Only time will tell, however, there's still life in this AGA bread box, and moreover the Amiga's future still hasn't been written off yet. However until every scener destroys his machine (A thing which will rarely happen), hundreds of thousands of Amigas will still grace the Earth! NIM: (* Nimrod rises, eyes red, trembling with fury, he points an accusing finger at Macno *) So you like PCs, do you? Do you know what people like you are doing to our community? (* While talking, Nimrod sends cascades of saliva out over the table *) Do you understand that? Do you really understand that? (* Nimrod's talking slows down, seeming slowly to come to his senses again, he sits down, a tic around his left eye remains though. While wiping some imaginary dust away from his left shoulder, he continues *) Well, yes, hrrhm, what I was trying to say was... well, yes, perhaps I made myself more than clear enough. RDZ: (* Under drying his glasses with his shirt, looks at Macno who has gotten smaller and smaller in his chair *) Yet, you call ME melodramatic? ... What will happen to the scene? It will die. Factual. The question is, when will it die? Will the PARTY 4 be the last real AMIGA X-Mas Convention - not due boredom of organisers but the lack of sceners? I don't think the end will near that fast, but one can't deny signs of the times - well, one can, but one shouldn't. At the moment, the PC remains a coldhearted monster to me, which I still use to leach stuff out off the nets at the university. I personally prefer deckstations, yet I doubt if a scene will be realistic on machines that cost the same as the Silicon Graphic computers... I also use the ATARI ST and I LOVE the CPC! I guess, other systems ain't the problem; as long as people are interested in the scene, there will be an AMIGA scene. Still, it will get smaller and smaller until it's factual non-existent, since the AMIGA is an old lady and the times are fast. The AGA-machines didn't prevent this, they just gave the sceners some new possibilities to concentrate on and made them feel less miserable when compared to PC-owners. MAC: (* Looks shyly around, avoids Nimrod's eyes *) I have lately studied dynamics and phenomenology of the So-What? articles, the results of my research will be published in Abnormalia 5 (where a short sum up of this debate is supposed to appear). You have already had the occasion of looking at a preview of the relative publication and probably you have had the opportunity of forming in your minds a personal opinion about methods, results and interpretation of the results. Do you agree with them? Have you got further elements to pointout? MOP: So What? articles are generally very dangerous and unhealthy for the whole readers' community. Please don't make them anymore. (* Macno looks surprised Mop and whispers "What a So-What? statement!" *) NIM: I must say your analysis was balanced and well accomplished. I am not quite certain whether I am sure if these damned souls, chronic So-What? authors should be inhumed without further ado. I feel these entities might benefit from a stay at my clinic, that is, if they have relatives who can pay for their stay. If we are not able to cure them, their lives will at least have brought Scenology one more little step forward. (* Macno looks upset, he watches towards the director, nowhere, he casts a reproaching look at Nimrod, he calms down listening RokDaZone words *) RDZ: What do you moan, Macno? We both live from "So-What"-articles. Without them, SCENARIUM would have been pretty empty in recent issues and the MARVELLOUS(!) LUNATICS BALL needs them as field for mockery. I like them - as long as I don't have to read them as matter of information... In the end, people have their right to bring their writing attempts to the public. What do I care for their social-suicide? MAC: Well, there could be an hidden and potential scenologist among them, I think that we could try to find him out before he suicides (not only socially) reading his own articles. Ooops, I am deeply sorry to announce you, esteemed colleagues, that the time at our disposal is over. I would like to thank you once more for your kindness and I wish you all the best for your future studies. By the way, I am glad to invite you to the dinner kindly offered by our sponsor Sceneretica. If you have something to say to finish worthily our debate, here is you occasion. MOP: For how much are you selling those branded editors over there? Any discounts for bulk orders? NIM: The Scene getting to you? Having problems copying new ideas? Come stay in pleasant arcadic surroundings in Northern Europe! (Call +47 800-POOR SOD!) (* Macno sighs resigned *) RDZ: Normally, I'm supposed to say something very witty or important here, but I don't find anything... Maybe I should just sit here and let people see my charismatic face a little longer... I ask myself if I should show my profile now as it makes me look so macho... On the other hand, people wouldn't actually realise then that - although being 21 years of age - I still have kept a appealing appearance due to my workouts in the gym. Maybe I should just stay like I am and say bye? "Bye!"