| From: | Doctor Doom <jch8169@*******.TAMU.EDU> |
|---|---|
| Subject: | So-Called Techno-Shamans |
| Date: | Fri, 16 Dec 1994 15:16:08 -0600 |
A number of comments have been lobbed hither and thither regarding the
so-called Net Shaman or Techno-Shaman phenomena, here is a recapitulated
posting from 22 September 1994 (18:26:12):
---
At the very first mention of the phrase "techno-shaman" juxtaposed
to references to upcoming FASA material I immediately sought an telephonic
audience with the Dark Lord entreating him to explain this apparent violation
of a central Commandment of ShadowRun, which has heretofore been observed and
kept most holy, /id est/:
"Thou shalt not mix thy Magic and the Matrix."
What he then began to elucidate upon was that a (seemingly) radical new
approach to technomancing ... it should be pointed out that the following
(admittedly sketchy) explanation is only apparent to readers of the pertinent
regulations in upcoming products, it shall remain a mystery to the actual
inhabitants of the ShadowRun milieu for some time to come.
On the face of it, the anecdote and testimony appear at once fantastic,
disquieting, and awe-inspiring:
Magic, never before possible in Virtual Reality, actually being wielded
effectively by technomancers?
Spirits of computer systems?
A Worldmind phenomena similar to the metaphysical Astral Plane?
Is it actually possible?
NO.
According to my notes from the conversation, the process involves (roughly
speaking, it is probable that he did not relate the entire procedure) an
ASIST rig with an incredibly high-end Reality Filter which permits a manner
of interaction betwixt the technomancer's mind and the Matrix on a level
heretofore unachieved.
In fact, this Reality Filter is such a quantum leap (or so it appeared from the
description) in sophistication, that the Virtual Reality is so compelling a
depiction that practitioners of this new method of technomancing are convinced
they have bridged the gap betwixt Metaphysics and Technology.
THIS IS NOT TRUE.
The /brute fact/ of the matter is that it does NOT constitute Magic within the
Matrix, despite deceptive appearances. It is a technologically-based system,
and as such, no non-technological constructs may come of it, despite how
convincing the resulting Virtual illusions are.
However, this achievement must be muted with the implication by the Dark Lord
that the net effect, the final result of this so-called "decking without a
deck" may be of the equivalent, if slightly more flashy, potency.
I reiterate at this juncture is that this fact is only to the Game Master and
players who read the rules; the differentiation is NOT clear to the
inhabitants of the ShadowRun milieu.
Consequently, while these avant guarde (and gravely deceived) technomancers
shall proudly proclaim they have succeeded in the marriage of Magic and Matrix,
scientists and metaphysicists will vehemently and indignantly claim that Magic
may not function in conjunction with the Matrix, as it is neither alive or even
real.
---
Herr Dowd specifically stated to me at the time that Magic would/could
not be feasible within computer systems until truly organic/biological
computer technology was a) developed and b) perfected. Biological
micro-chips such that a computer actually is imbued with a life force,
of sorts.
Now, there was one other possible element which he made speculatory mention
of (only following several very probing questions) at the time, howe'er, I
hesitate to mention it presently for fear of mis-interpretation would make
for many and myriad manifestations of malignant munchkinism. I shall say
this, that as explained to me it has nothing whatsoever to do with casting
spells or summoning spirits with the Matrix.
Colonel Count von Hohenzollern und von Doom, DMSc, DSc, PhD.
Doom Technologies & Weapon Systems -- Dark Thought Publications
>>> Working on solutions best left in the dark.
<<<
[ Doctor Doom : jch8169@*******.tamu.edu ]
^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^
"Welcome to Timbuktu . . . There are thirty million names in the Naked City;
I can only pronounce half of them. Mine's easy, though: It's Dharma . . .
Brad Dharma, Psychedelic Detective. The case I was working on started like
any other: Atmospheric lighting, rain-slicked streets, obligatory
voice-overs. . . ."
-- Brad Dharma, Psychedelic Detective
