Baronial · Notations

One cannot blame a boy for being drawn in by the fascination of Science. However, careless procedure and self-exposure without precautions is sloppy methodology.

The facts are this: Herr Loki, one of the Steelhead scamps, performed a experiment on a sample of unknown (at this time) provenance. He not only infected himself, but apparently became a carrier with a dispersal method similar to influenza. Mindy, another Steelhead child, has become obviously infected, and fainted twice during Steelhead's town meeting. Herren Doktors Sonnerstein and Mason were able to attend to her as well as I; given their... special backgrounds, I suspected they may be better suited to treat this than I.

The patient presents in a manner suspiciously similar to that of a 'zombie', to use the New World term. One of the physical characteristics is a black ooze generated internally and expelled, or by separation of body parts (skin, for example) which promptly liquefy. However, the heartbeat and breathing never cease, nor is the patient's mentality apparently affected more than any minor illness might cause. Herr Loki did seem compelled to eat a wooden cot at one point, as an aside. Mindy has a persistent, intermittent cough. Both children are extremely pale; Loki almost appears decayed, and has lost the hair on his head. His eyes have changed appearance. Neither seem to be in pain, merely a little uncomfortable.

Dr Mason treated Mindy with one of his resurrectionist formulas, which had no apparent effects at all. He then produced a staff with a large golden crystal 'spearhead', and attempted to stabilise her using magic. If this were not done in Steelhead, I would dismiss it immediately as unscientific claptrap -- but I cannot dismiss treatments so readily on the grid which would never work here at home. Results were, unfortunately, not immediate; she was sent home to familiar settings to sleep. Dr Sonnerstein was able to test both Herr Lunar and me for any affliction, but he found nothing at this time. The great variety of races may work for us, giving portions of population with natural resistance, but can also work against us, as treatment for, say, a djinni, might not work for a werewolf, elf or mortal human.

The Consulate basement has been set up as an isolated and sterilisable laboratory for we three, and any others who may be able to contribute, to work on a solution to this infection. I have requested Herr Manager Lunar seal Steelhead's borders. I have heard that New Babbage has its own similar problems at the moment, and if this is as infectious as Mindy's illness suggests it might be, the thought of it reaching Caledon or Winterfell horrifies me. It will undoubtedly have unfortunate impact on the annual Harvest Festival, but that cannot be helped unless we produce a quick solution.

Note for later: If Darien's treatment works at all, see if New Toulouse might produce a medico-thaumaturgic collaborator to increase the speed and range of a remedy or at least a resistance.

My hostesses reminded me by example that I have been remiss in sharing this schedule. For those not familiar with the Grand Tour, Duchess Caer Firnas, Fogwoman Gray Volare, founded this 'progressive party' after changes on the grid which severely affected overall morale, or as she is quoted, 'To bring all nations and groups together to demonstrate why we stay and what is important.' Since then, there have been several successful iterations, two of which also supported Relay For Life. This is the second which has been held around St. Valentine's Day, as most have recovered from the excesses of the winter holiday season but still have a celebratory spirit.

This Grand Tour is organised by and hosted by Lady Breezy Carver (Frau Fabre), and Sultana Rose Springvale.

There will be photographs of the events shared later.

Saturday

5-7 Al Andalus Alhambra
The beautiful palaces of 13th century Moorish Spain is hosting a music festival featuring Joaquin Gustav’s flamenco guitar and the amazing percussion group DRUM! Also the beginning of the All Aboard Grand Tour Photo contest, sponsored by Al Andalus! Pick up the rules here. Flamenco or Arab dress encouraged!
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Al%20Andalus%20Alhambra/214/156/59

7-9  Tuliptree
Hobo Haven Jungle Grand Opening sponsored by the Virtual Rail Consortium, with Hobo and train music played by DJ Callipygian Christensen. Come and learn the history of rail at this wonderful build, and see what the Consortium is doing in SL. Hobo costumes… or whatever you have!
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Tuliptree/104/208/30

9-11 Steam SkyCity
Sparking Gears Ball. Romance among the Robots! Clanks and Automatons are invited to come and greet the day, with dancing and prizes for best avatars.
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Caledon%20Steam%20SkyCity/121/84/76

11-1 Winterfell
Revelry on Reverie. Love and Devotion music, in beautiful Winterfell, with DJ Gabrielle Riel.
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Winterfell%20Anodyne/128/24/22

1-3 Antiquity
Celebrating the "All Aboard" theme, various sims and factions through Antiquity have donated something that makes them special or unique: food, guards, art, etc to celebrate the diversity Antiquity has to offer.
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Antiquity%20London/176/221/28

3-6 Seraph City
A city representing the era “between the world wars, presents music and dance with Edward Pearse, at the Seraph Club, the classiest club in Seraph City. http://slurl.com/secondlife/Seraph%20City/66/143/106

6-9 New Babbage
Piermont Landing presentsThe NeverMore Midnight Blue Ball Saturday including a Creative Steampunk Cage Building Contest. ( After all, do you think we are going to cage Ravens or they going to Cage YOU ?) Dress is formal, midnight blue of course, and there are prizes!
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Wheatstone%20Waterways/46/49/113

9-11  Caledon’s Oxbridge Village
Thistle Hill Marketplace, a cozy collection of shops featuring Victorian era Steampunk gadgetry, original artworks, and much more, hosts a dance at Alley Cat Alley, with a theme of cats and other night animals, with DJ Poppy.
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Caledon%20Oxbridge%20Village/169/59/26

11-1 New Toulouse
DJ Gabriel Riel takes the party to crescendo with “Don’t Throw Mama From The Train: Jazz and Blues in late night. Theme is trains and travel and 1920’s dress appropriate!
http://slurl.com/secondlife/New%20Toulouse%20Bourbon/165/132/27


Sunday

7-9 Seraph City
Hold the Front Page! The Primgraph Offfice Grand Opening in Seraph City includes dancing and a murder mystery! Journalistic attire will get you in the proper frame of mind!
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Seraph%20City/96/154/106

9-11 New Babbage
Brunel Hall Academy Pop over to the steamlands largest and most luxurious hotel for dancing and general frivolity as Victor1st Mornington takes you through a tour of the chart topping hits from 1950's all the way to the 1980's.Steampunk attire is a New Babbage standard.
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Academy%20of%20Industry/74/91/108

11-1 Clos Normand
The Consulate of Europa welcomes the Tour as Duke Otenth Paderborn regales us with tales from the rails, high above the beautiful sims of Côte Fleurie.
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Clos%20Normand/75/106/37

1-3 Armada Breakaway
Celebrating the second anniversary during the Grand Tour with a dance! There will be rum and pirates and ladies in their finest gowns. Join us as we ring in another year of mayhem!
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Armada%20Breakaway/155/170/23

3-5 Steelhead Nevermoor
Tea will be served at 3:00, along with a dance, featuring a combination of gothic, Wonderland, and that eclectic mix that makes Steelhead what it is, provided by Fuzzball Ortega, Marshal of Steelhead City!
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Steelhead%20Nevermoor/128/128/27

5-7 Steeltopia
Rounding out the tour in the Pneumatic Revolution Lounge,DJ SteelCobra Calamarihosts the Super Spy vs Super Villain Dance. Come as a Super Spy, Villain or henchman, let's make Mr Bond and Goldfinger proud! A wide variety of spy tunage to be played.
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Steeltopia/25/239/51

A copy of the presentation I and the Vice Consul, Frau Annechen Lowey, gave on January 16, 2011 L.E., at the January Aether Salon, 'Diplomacy!'. I have marked how we shared the speech.


LOWEY:

Diplomacy: The art and practice of conducting negotiations between nations (particularly in securing treaties), including the methods and forms usually employed.

Diplomacy is dexterity or skill in securing advantages; tact.

All diplomacy is a continuation of war by other means.

All war represents a failure of diplomacy.

Diplomacy is to do and say

The nastiest things in the nicest way.

Diplomacy is more than saying or doing the right things at the right time, it is avoiding saying or doing the wrong things at any time.

Diplomacy is the art of letting the other party have things your way.

WULFENBACH:

A diplomat is a person who can tell you to go to hell in such a way that you actually look forward to the trip.


As you can see, there's a wide variety of opinions on diplomacy. A more formal definition, from a popular source, is 'The representation and protection of the interests and nationals of the sending state, as well as the promotion of information and friendly relations.'

Let us set out some more definitions from a respected dictionary, as I have found some small confusion in the use of diplomatic terminology:

An Ambassador is: 'an official envoy; especially: a diplomatic agent of the highest rank accredited to a foreign government or sovereign as the resident representative of his or her own government or sovereign or appointed for a special and often temporary diplomatic assignment'.

An Embassy is: 'a body of diplomatic representatives; specifically: one headed by an ambassador' and also, 'the function or position of an ambassador'.

A Consul is: 'an official appointed by a government to reside in a foreign country to represent the commercial interests of citizens of the appointing country' This is descended from an Imperial Roman title, although the function has changed entirely.

A Consulate is: 'the office, term of office, or jurisdiction of a consul' and also 'the... official premises of a consul'. In addition, 'A consulate is similar to (but not the same as) a diplomatic office, but with focus on dealing with individual persons and businesses.'

One might compare the relationship of an Ambassador and a Consul to that of a military ship's captain and his executive officer. The captain deals with external matters – communications of policy and practice with the ruler or his delegates, overall strategies and the unit's part in them. The executive officer looks inward, handling the crew, disseminating the local applications of the policies received from the captain and ensuring all unit resources are properly used and distributed to ensure the highest level of functioning possible.

In that manner, a Ambassador deals with the desires and orders received from his ruler and negotiates on the highest level possible, dealing with the ponderous and far-reaching movements of kingdoms and principalities.

The Consul, however, will ensure that tourists and expatriates have their correct paperwork intact; will start potential new citizens on the right path to their desired country; will maintain resources on business practices, police procedures, and other local matters.

Let us now address some examples of diplomacy. The Vice Consul found this one example of a well-played hand – the aetheric address for the reproduction of the newspaper article is http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=F00D17F63F5D1A7493C3A8178AD85F478784F9

LOWEY:

You may read it at your leisure, of course, but the gist of the matter is that Austria found themselves bound by an unpleasant commercial situation which was causing hardship to its citizenry.

The ambassador, after a dint of hard research, found a trade clause which allowed him to not only remove the hardship, but in effect punish the extortionistic behaviour of France.

An example of diplomatic ties assisting in war: during the French & Indian War: French soldiers, aided by 200 Abenaki, Pennacook, Kanien`kehaka, and Wendat soldiers on snowshoes launched a surprise attack on the village of Deerfield, which was the northwestern frontier of the New England colonies. The French and Indian force quickly retreated to Canada with their captives, many of whom never returned. The English forces did not have snowshoes, and were unable to overtake the invading forces. The attack was a triumph of diplomacy and military strategy for the French. They had forged alliances with the Native nations, and by adopting a Native American technology (i.e. snowshoes), they succeeded in moving large numbers of men 300 miles through the snow.

A reknowned failure of diplomacy in one documentable future is that of the Shōwa imperial reign in Japan. The Emperor and his court, emboldened by their national success in adapting to European influences without losing national identity, moved to impose a 'Co-Prosperity Sphere' uniting the Asian countries 'the eight corners of the world' under the rule of the Japanese Emperor. The failure came in that all the time convincing the Japanese people about the gloriousness of this concept was time not spent in convincing the rest of the 'Sphere' of the same — and as a result, the Japanese participated in wars and atrocities for almost two decades, only stopping on becoming an occupied country for the first time in its history.

As seen by the recent unauthorized release of diplomatic documents, diplomats are still humans, and subject to the same faults as all other humans. They can have unpopular opinions, and unconsidered moments. The effects of the exposure of these faults range from acute embarrassment to possible damage of international relations.

Thus there will always be diplomatic secrets.

Some more embarrassing than others.

While some of these secrets may become the seed for jovial anecdotes years later, many will be changed by the intervening years.

WULFENBACH:

At home, diplomacy is... not as effective. For those not familiar with the history of my Europa, the local rulers are, more often than not, Sparks. With the Spark comes madness, and those Sparks who survive their first great creation are not necessarily the most rational of rulers. I have, in truth, suppressed border disputes based on 'He looked at me funny,' and 'She insulted my newest creation.' In situations such as those, the best technique has proven to be not calm, rational negotiation, but smothering force until they stop struggling and can be taken away to calm down. Only then, after they return from their 'time-outs', can we begin the rational negotiation phase.

Possibly.


Diplomacy on the grid is yet another matter. The usual resorts of failed negotiation – sanctions, siege, full-out war – are not as functional here as they are in other circumstances. When most punitive or hostile acts can be subverted by sitting or removing oneself entirely from not just the area but the grid itself, diplomacy gains greatly in value for dispute resolution, but even more for benign interaction.

Diplomacy has led to greater exchanges of information, of greater participation at events, and a greater selection of events possible. Consider New Babbage's recent Fleet Week, where the biggest prizes were evenly distributed between the Steamlands. A nation bound by isolationism would not have had such excellent competition and challenge.

Channels opened by even casual diplomacy provide quick exchanges of information, such as reports of griefing to allow for proactive bans to protect as yet unafflicted lands. They allow for less troublesome exchanges, such as clarifications of changes from the Lab, or new devices that make tedious matters less vexing.

Diplomacy has led to the expansion of the Imperial Bank of Steeltopia to cross the waters to Cala Mondrago, where the bank itself faces the Magistrate's tower in the middle of the market district. The system on which it runs was originated in Antiquity, which has a burgeoning internal economy based on a non-linden currency.

On a more intimate scale, diplomacy can be used between a peacekeeper or an experienced citizen to resolve issues of an inexperienced person accidentally littering a common area, using weapons inappropriately, or even merely miscommunicating by means of gestures, actions or phrasings which violate common customs.

In some areas, this might involve the wearing of a health meter (or not), or a matter as simple as inappropriate dress causing an upset. A calm voice and a ready ear can negotiate a peaceful resolution instead of resorting to official reports.

LOWEY:

When the Consulate was founded in 2007 (Linden Era), the mission was fairly simple. We endeavored to aid the new residents from home to assimilate to the grid. In doing so, we needed to learn the laws, customs and traditions of the various Steamlands.

However, many things have changed in the years since. The Steamlands have expanded (in some cases explosively), then the Openspace crisis altered the landscape considerably. Old lands have faded into the mists, and been replaced by new lands with brave new views.

Along with the Steamlands, the mission of the Consulate has changed. The job has developed to include many aspects of an embassy, though not specifically for Europa. In some ways the staff have become unofficial ambassadors for inter-simulator relations.

Rather than limiting our actions to aiding the individual emigres to the grid and private concerns of commercial nature, we have endeavoured to increase awareness of the citizens of the broad spectrum of city-states and micronations of Second Life.

To that end, besides the offices we have in several states, we have supported endeavors such as the Aether Chrononauts Calendar project and the Steamlander forums, hoping to encourage intersimulator cooperation and dialogue.

Part of that mission has been the Grand Tours, identifying people who might host stops on the tour, assisting those who have not participated previously, and in one fit of madness, conducting a Tour ourselves.

I never said diplomacy *always* made sense.

WULFENBACH:

To sum up, diplomacy attempts to solve, by means of reasonable discussion and fair compromise, issues of trade, cultural exchange and land use, on a scale from between two individuals to that of several countries.

LOWEY:

The goal is to gain the cooperation of all parties involved to the good of all parties.

Thank you for letting us rattle on this afternoon.

I should like to wish Professor Foglio, Professora Foglio, their children and minions; all of those devoted followers of the serial presentation of the history of Lady Heterodyne; and most especially, my staff and friends on both sides of the dimensional gates a most happy, peaceful and productive new year. May your experiments stay contained, your clanks remain in perfect running condition and your envelopes always maintain inflation.

Bookworm Hienrichs finishes lubricating her throat with tea, and sets the cup down.
She takes a breath, then grins mischeviously and begins to sing.

Efficient machines and well-oiled turbines
Bright copper boilers and warm steamy engines
Sparks that will create new kinds of bushings
These are a few of his favorite things
Green-colored Jaegers and militant ethos
Sprockets and lockets and order from chaos
Airships that fly without recourse to wings
These are a few of his favorite things
Mathematical problems to solve for unknowns
Oil stains that stay on his nose and high cheekbones
Gigantic clanks made of cogs and springs
These are a few of his favorite things
When the lab blows
Slaver Wasp stings
When he's feeling bad
He'll simply remember his favorite things
And then he won't feel so mad

---

Stereo Nacht: A little ode I simply called "To Our Beloved Dictator"

Tyrant of all [note: in the original sense, of course.]
A power wall
You seek brawl?
Watch your fall!

His armies walk
Beware the shock
Don't you mock
Wulfenbach!

He rules this land
With iron hand
Ruthless, stand
Ever grand.

He's our guide
Obey with pride
As we stride
By his side

Duty we serve
As he deserves
It preserves
His good nerves

Beware his wrath
Though, clear his path!
Or blood bath
Is the math...

So keep the peace!
(Or waffle piece -
His caprice! -
Risks decrease.)
(end)

---

Eugenia Burton: Happy Birthday, Dear Baron

Don't pinch your nose or say 'Red Fire!'
This message isn't all *that* dire!
Though I may be a little cloud,
I came here to join with the crowd
In wishing you the best of days
With a little, rhyming praise.

Most births, they bring a family joy
And you were such a sturdy boy
That I am sure they felt delight
When you first came into sight
Such happiness was in the house
When they welcomed little Klaus!

That sentiment is echoed here
Within the hearts who hold you dear.
We are here in celebration
Of your parents procreation!
We'll lift a glass in merry honor
Before your old self is a GONER!

---

Annechen Lowey: I did find something from the Romanian poet, Nicolae Sirius.

Yesterday

What was yesterday like?
Ah, yesterday was yesterday.
I remember the order of stars:
Three were alike, three were alone
One was fostering a bigger star
With a wing flapping over the sea
Distended from another ocean.
It had no knowledge
That another star was spinning
Like a mill-wheel.
But it was beautiful, even when shrouded
In dreams. For other stars
Kept flailing at it in anguish.

What was yesterday, then?
Yesterday was yesterday, and I saw the master's
Hand; it was like the Ark
With room in it for everything.
Yesterday
My bones shivered
And I was crying near the ageing tenements
Where ladies with skirts of summer
Tossed over wintry thighs
Were rocking deaf, bushy cats;
And chaining the hounds
Bouncing from moment to moment
Towards their snouts.
With silken tones caressing the oxen
Horns, so they wouldn't topple the earth.
Yesterday; yes, that was yesterday.

---

And again, from Fraulein Kapitänin Nacht:

About the Brain

More dangerous than pure uranium
The brain is shielded in the cranium
And three meninges: the dura mater
The arachnoid and the pia mater.

Thirty billion neurons in the cortex
Powers the endless idea vortex
Through its trillion synaptic connections
Propagating through as many axons.

In two hemispheres, they neatly divide
Of the body control the other side...
Then split in four lobes: the occipital,
Frontal, parietal, occipital.

A fabric of cells, many times folded
In gyri and sulci, as clay molded
On the outer side lays the grey matter
Inside, white matter helps the brain chatter

One has to marvel: its plasticity
Helps recover from incapacity
So neural damage is not forever
(As long as it is not all too sever.)

And let’s not forget neurotransmitters
Their action within makes the brain glitters
Through synaptic cleft, excitatory
Or – as you can guess – inhibitory.

GABA and glycine prevent transmission
Over brain, spinal cord, it’s their mission;
While glutamate has opposite action
Synapses adjust as a reaction

Dopamine: motor control, cognition
Noradrenaline: deep excitation
Serotonin: for sleep and satiety
Cholinergic: for learning, memory

Yes, we know a lot about the brain’s work
How it makes us sane – perhaps with a quirk
From all this knowledge remains a question:
Where in there the spark finds its expression?

---

Tausend dank, damen. I am delighted in your presents and your presence.

One of the staff passed this to me. With only small modification, it can apply on either side of the dimensional gateway:

On firing creative geniuses:

[At Pixar] there is very high tolerance for eccentricity, very creative, and to the point where some are strange… but there are a small number of people who are socially dysfunctional [and] very creative – we get rid of them. If we don’t have a healthy group then it isn’t going to work. There is this illusion that this person is creative and has all this stuff, well the fact is there are literally thousands of ideas involved in putting something like this together. And the notion of ideas as this singular thing is a fundamental flaw. There are so many ideas that what you need is that group behaving creatively. And the person with the vision I think is unique, there are very few people who have that vision.. but if they are not drawing the best out of people then they will fail.

We will support the leader for as long and as hard as we can, but the thing we can not overcome is if they have lost the crew. It’s when the crew says we are not following that person. We say we are director led, which implies they make all the final decisions, [but] what it means to us is the director has to lead.. and the way we can tell when they are not leading is if people say ‘we are not following’.

From Ed Catmull’s talk at The Economist

I can pause only long enough to say three things for the moment: Firstly, despite additional duties which I have accepted, do not favour any one nation over the others; not all are fit for this land here or that land there, and I attempt to ensure information about all of the Steamlands is evenly distributed. Do not presume to correct me without comprehending my mission. I believe my record of support will prove my point.

Secondly, I wish Professor Philbert Foglio the happiest of birthdays. Were it not for the popularity of his histories, I would not be hosting Walpurgisnacht for the third year running.

Lastly, after tonight's Walpurgisnacht in Kittiwick Town, Caledon, at the Consulate, this album of photographs will be available for public viewing.

Bitte, enjoy the holiday.

Although I am out-world today, Fraulein T. Davies was kind enough to send me snapshots of the new land, which I am pleased to share here. The last image, as you see, was sent by Sgt. Birdsan Weezles-Timeless, one of the Jägers posted to the grid.

Davies - St Helens 01 Taken by Frl T. Davies ' It's here! Steelhead St Helens is here! A view from one corner.'	Davies - St Helens 02 Taken by Frl T. Davies ' Differing water levels ...due to the dam.'
Davies - St Helens 03 Taken by Frl T. Davies 'CHEESE! Missus Tensai obliged one of the scamps.'	Davies - St. Helens 04 Taken by Frl T. Davies 'Cheese St. Helens mit Jaegermonster. The dam and waterfall at the Boomtown border.'
Weezles - St. Helens 05 Taken by Sgt B. Weezles-Timeless 'Mt St Helen's with Moon & Jager. Spot the Birdie!'