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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 *)
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-- S C E N E R E T I C A --- Your scene as you dream it --
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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!"