Dear Unknown Friend,

Of late, I have been mired in world of illusions. Interestingly, the illusions center on what is, or is not political. What moves are made for political gain, the perception of moves made for political gain, and associating perceived evils with individuals who are perceived to be politically motivated.

Most would refuse to see it, but I am in fact on the crux of this perception, constantly pulled one way or the other depending on the conversation. This struggle is centered on a Masonic Lodge, and because of my middle position, I can see the very fabric of this Lodge tearing over the tremendous weight of the matter.

The simple truth - the Lodge is too large. I normally don’t take absolute positions Masonically, but a Lodge larger than about 35 people is only manageable through compromise, and excellence cannot exist within a compromise. Hence mediocrity. Hence disappointment and illusion.

Compromise and relations of large, impersonal organisms reminds much of my day job in information technology. Unlike most of my colleagues - if such a thing exists in American business - I do not think technology solves anything, or improves the human condition. Far too often we marvel at our own inventions, and neglect the moral purpose of our condition. Hence our current situation.

For some time I took comfort in not being alone in my profession. Although no one agreed with me in my personal interaction, I took some comfort in knowing that Joseph Weizenbaum was a kindred spirit. His seminal work, Computer Power and Human Reason: From Judgment to Calculation, put forth the premise that computing as a social force, established/formed/supported bureaucracies, and limits understanding of the world in purely reductionist frameworks, resulting in restricted potention for human interaction/relationships. He is centuries ahead of the rest of the artificial intelligence community.

He just passed away.

As I mourn a fellow, and fell alone professionally, I feel alone and cut off Masonically, and I think of this Lodge, too large, too massive, and wholly supported by bureaucracies all of which undermine the fundamental tenet of Brotherly Love. There is a current struggle in this Lodge to review operating expenses, budgets, etc… Lamentably, the natural and correct solution: split into a new Lodge is not part of this discussion. Both sides of the argument are so convinced of their supremacy, and both sides are so entrenched in their own illusion, that they fail to see the multiplicity of options before them. Blinded by their own Light I suppose.

Instead, even those who operate under the illusion that they hate politics will constrain themselves to the limitations of their own delusion, and drive to a purely political answer (compromise of income, reduced operational expensed, increased clerical efficiency, etc…).

Prisoners of our creation. Tortured to support an invention that consumes more than it can output.

Personally, I am frustrated, torn, and exhausted by this particular issue. I have little energy left for it. I mention all this not to discuss this particular Lodge however - even though it is tearing itself apart, and demits are already coming in.

I mention this as a cautionary tale to other Lodges.

Brotherhood requires that individuals, not organizations, be the atomic level of interaction. We have far too long labored under the well-meaning, but ill conceived idea that organizations (lodges, grand lodges) form the chain of our union. When Lodges get so large that people become anonymous, and policy/procedure not human relationships define our interactions, it is time to split into a smaller, more intimate Lodge.

Recommended Reading

• Computer Power and Human Reason: From Judgement to Calculation - Joseph Weizenbaum.

Picture Credit: Artist unknown as I am away from my book, taken from the Book of Nod. Caine in darkness and liminality.

PotS

J.