The purpose of this paper is to provide a description of the concepts presented in that paper, as a first-person narrative of a Mason in this future period. It is hoped that by putting a ‘face’ on the concepts, it might be easier to contemplate one utopian point of view on the gentle Craft.
This paper is a companion piece to “Masonry in the Age of Leisure” which was delivered (in part) at a meeting on December 18.
Morning
IMAGE CREDIT: the square magazine digital collection
I wake to the gentle sounds of my phone. Although earlier than I would normally wake up, it is okay as today is going to be a great day: today is my day in the office! With great anticipation I jump out of bed and get ready for my day.
While drinking my first cup of tea for the day I look at my CraftBook[1] app. I see the most recent postings of my Masonic friends. I note that Ivan in Brazil has published the paper he told me about next week and I mark the article to have it translated so I can read it a bit later.
I look at my Masonic calendar and see that there are a number of meetings today and I quickly sign up for the ones I will attend and have the app update my calendar. I quickly post a congratulatory message for Ivan and also send off a couple of quick messages to friends I will see later today at meetings.
My Uber arrives and I make my quick trip into the office, now focussed on clearing work messages.
After Lunch
IMAGE CREDIT: the square magazine digital collection
After a grueling four-hour day… okay, nothing grueling about it. Maybe a few challenging discussions, but it was great to have a chance to see most of my co-workers in person as well as meet our newest team member.
I realize how young they really are… or how old I am. After work, I have lunch with a few of my peers, before heading back to my shared office to get onto the fun activities.
My shared office is really just a very small room that is soundproofed and private that I use when I don’t want to be disturbed. I quickly grab by VR glasses[2] and put in my ear buds and use my phone to initiate joining a Lodge meeting.
My phone initiates the blockchain security protocols and uses my facial figures, a voice print and my thumbprint to sign in and sends the signal to the Tyler of the Lodge of Esoteric Education in Washington DC.
After a very short time I see that I have been admitted to the Lodge. Placing on my VR glasses, and putting my phone in its cradle, so that the camera sees my face, I am immersed a computer simulated environment.
Or sort of. The face of the Tyler is actually his, but is ‘attached’ to an avatar body. Brother John greets me “Hi Scott. I am glad you could join our Fellowcraft degree today. You can go into the Lodge now. I have signed you in as a visitor as we haven’t balloted on your membership yet.”.
My on-screen avatar opens the Lodge door and enters a beautiful Lodge chamber, complete with many esoteric symbols. I have my avatar walk over to the East and virtually tap the Master on his shoulder. Its my good friend Denise.
We chat for a few minutes and I wish him luck on the degree today. I also mention that Ivan’s paper has come out.
I take a virtual seat and enjoy a well produced and meaningful Fellowcraft degree following some of the earliest European rituals. The candidate is suitably impressed.
After the degree I participate in a discussion about the ritual and make notes on a few areas I want to research later. I bring greetings from the Lodges I belong to.
Closing down the connection to the virtual Lodge I check CraftBook. There is an open discussion occurring right now with one of the groups I belong to.
My friend Robert is discussion the traditions of Masonry in the Quebec. I quickly log into the conversation, giving a virtual ‘shoulder punch’ to some of my other friends on the call, and join in a lively debate in French and English (well likely Portuguese as well, you can never tell with the translator apps).
I have to sign off, so send a private message to Robert to let him know I will be at his Lodge meeting tomorrow, and gather my stuff and leave the office.
Dinner and Later
IMAGE CREDIT: the square magazine digital collection
Tonight, I join a few other Masons for a pre-meeting supper and general discussion on upcoming social events. We are planning our Robbie Burns dinner and figure out who is going to do what speaking part. After we finish, we walk over to the hotel and quickly set up one of the meeting rooms for our Lodge meeting.
The other members who were not at dinner arrive and the Senior Warden and Secretary attempt to create some order, while we are socializing. It might look like herding cats, but by the appointed time we have settled down.
All routine business having been completed virtually over the last week, we move directly into degrees. Tonight, we will be conducting the Select Master degree and then will be holding a discussion on its similarity to the Antient and Accepted Rite.
There are about fifteen of us in person, including the two candidates, and the Tyler tells us that we have about thirty members and visitors joining us on-line. I slip on my glasses to better see the props for the degree and the on-line visitors.
I see my good friend Matt has stayed up late in France, and before we get started, we have a short, private conversation.
Another great meeting and a few of us retire to drink our whiskey and discuss tonight’s meeting.
After a full day I head home and take some time to read Ivan’s paper. I have been waiting for this all day and I am not disappointed.
I record a message for him to congratulate him on the paper and I post some comments onto his page as well as send a few prompts to other friends who would be interested.
Footnotes
References
[1] Reference to CraftBook is a future ‘FaceBook’ type product that is restricted to Masons.
[2] “VR glasses”: virtual reality devices to project a three dimensional image onto the eyes. In this case, rather than being large goggles, what is envisioned are simple glasses, that are transparent from the outside viewer, so that the wearer’s eyes can be seen.
Article by: Scott Wisdahl
RWBro. Scott Wisdahl
Junior Warden, Fort St. John Masonic Lodge No. 131. Grand Lodge of BC & Yukon
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