Cadaverous Pallor
01-02-2009, 12:23 PM
A slight breeze rustles the grass of a sunny meadow.
The weather has held, so the precautionary rental tent was not built. Instead, flanks of white chairs are placed as if oriented for a lecture. A slight slope to the meadow assists with viewing angles for all who attend. Thin blue and silver ribbons are tied to each chair in small bows, their ends left long to sway with the wind, reflecting the sunlight.
A podium stands alone at the head. It's made of clear plexi, standing only about 3 feet high, the top perfectly flat.
Attendees arrive. Most wear blue of varying shades, though the predominant seems to be a sharp cobalt. Those that wore other colors reach for the blue sashes offered up and tie them to their upper arms. A name is stitched on the end of the sash, along with the date - a keepsake. Though the clothing is mostly formal, no one wears high heels, due to the grassy location.
After some rustle of anticipation, a thin gentleman in the front row stands and walks to the podium. He wears a starched white button-down shirt and navy blue slacks. At first glance it seems a basic outfit, but a second look highlights the crispness of the cloth, the detailed piping and engraved buttons. This ceremonial look is topped off with a pair of black, plastic-rimmed glasses, though there are no prescriptions in the lenses. As he reaches the podium, the crowd hushes.
"Welcome," says the gentleman, his lapel microphone projecting his words via speakers hidden in the trees. "Welcome, everyone."
"I am Professor Henry Axlerod, and I am honored to provide IT for today's proceedings.
"I'm sure some of you have been to an event like this before, but as a standard still hasn't been found, perhaps I should explain some of the symbols we are using here."
The professor gestured toward the surrounding trees and sky. "As you have been warned, we are meeting outside." This drew smiles from the crowd. "Even as we celebrate the virtual, we must never forget the vital. We should all spend time outdoors, breathing fresh air, testing our muscles, enjoying the beauty of our planet. Far better for us to meet out here, in our natural habitat.
"I wear formal garb today," Axlerod continued, drawing the attention his way. "This style is familiar and yet foreign - from our past, and more accurately, from our mythology. Technology is always a mystery, a secret held by those with the education to acquire it. Such simple clothes, yet they reflect a power that draws on many emotions. I decided against the pocket protector, seemed a bit over the top, don't you think?" The audience chuckles. "Anyway, let's get on to the reason we're here.
"I've had the privilege of meeting many times with Brianna Larkstone, and she is truly a fine young lady. Her parents, Sadie and Ryan, have raised her with a healthy respect for both the in-person and via-fiber worlds.
"Her screenname, BriteLark, may not be world-renown, but the acquaintances she has made with it know her to be open and kind. Her conduct on the blogs she comments on as well as her personal journal postings are all of admirable honesty and grace. Just as vital, the content is worthy of attention, and her style is conscientious and accurate.
"Today, we are here to see the culmination of 18 years of interaction and the growth it inspires. For her entire life, Brianna as BriteLark has been under the watchful eye of her parents. Even we IT old-timers understand just how hard this can be for the budding individual." The professor cracks a smile, and the congregation laughs softly.
"It is well worth emphasizing how things are about to change for Brianna. She was allowed participation in the online world beginning at age 3, and her screenname was chosen for her. Her site registrations, her photos, her prolonged instant messages - all are automatically tracked and cataloged. I spoke with Sadie and Ryan about their use of these usual tools, and as parents go, they were pretty easy going, it seems." More chuckles come from the crowd. "Remember, it's always up to the parent to decide how often to check with the Babysitter. Maybe if you knew, Brianna, you would have played it a little more loosely!" Guests laugh loudly.
"Now, it is time for Brianna to come into her own. She has developed her own style, her own viewpoint. She has learned how to decide if a source is worthy of trust. She has fought trolls, shown charity towards noobs, and pwned when pwnage was merited. She has found, shared, and brought the lulz." The gathered group nods at the familiar cadence. His smile is warm and infectious. "Not all people who use the Internet become true netizens. This moment is only for those who have proven themselves to be real participants in online culture." Axlerod gestures to the crowd. "Your presence here today shows that you, alongside Brianna's parents, agree that her virtual persona is one worth celebrating.
"Many of you here have never met Brianna in person, and many of those didn't even know her real name until I spoke it earlier. It's time for formal introductions, one last joining of identities."
Axlerod had stood alone, gesturing only generally throughout. Now, he stretches a long arm towards one person sitting in the middle of the crowd, his palm facing deferentially upward.
"Brianna, will you join me here?"
It is only as she stands that everyone is sure it is her. Many wear blue today, but her dress is a shade that evokes the heart of electricity. Her hair is simply styled but precisely so. Her parents, sitting on either side of her, stand briefly to give her large hugs in turn. She's blushing by the time she pulls a rectangular bag out from under her chair and approaches the podium. The attendees murmur and smile, connecting a face with a name with a personality with a past.
The professor offers his hand and Brianna shakes it gently, smiling for the others, smiling for a photo, but obviously nervous. Moment documented, she carefully hands him the bag. Axlerod opens it and removes a gleaming laptop computer, which he places on the podium. Brianna stands next to her IT person as bravely as possible. The group quiets, and the professor speaks again.
"Before we continue, I want to explain the reasons why. Earlier, many of you had no idea who this young lady was, even as you knew her online. You may have even sat near her today and had no clue." A teen boy sitting a row away from where Brianna had been shakes his head and smiles. "The online world is like that. The bond between being and not being, identified and not identified, is tenuous. This gives netizens great strength, and as with any strength, it can be misused. It can empower the meek to be heard, and it can provide cover for the most ugly of activities. Always keep this in your thoughts. Anyway, on to happier things.
"This is Brianna's new laptop, a gift from her parents. I'd like to point out the inscription here, on the lid. It says, 'We will always be proud of you, no matter whom you choose to be. Much love, Mom and Dad.'" The crowd sighs. "Yes, lovely, isn't it? Some may think that the gift of a laptop is merely because it's nice to have, but when you consider the shift at hand today, it's ultimately necessary."
<continued below>
The weather has held, so the precautionary rental tent was not built. Instead, flanks of white chairs are placed as if oriented for a lecture. A slight slope to the meadow assists with viewing angles for all who attend. Thin blue and silver ribbons are tied to each chair in small bows, their ends left long to sway with the wind, reflecting the sunlight.
A podium stands alone at the head. It's made of clear plexi, standing only about 3 feet high, the top perfectly flat.
Attendees arrive. Most wear blue of varying shades, though the predominant seems to be a sharp cobalt. Those that wore other colors reach for the blue sashes offered up and tie them to their upper arms. A name is stitched on the end of the sash, along with the date - a keepsake. Though the clothing is mostly formal, no one wears high heels, due to the grassy location.
After some rustle of anticipation, a thin gentleman in the front row stands and walks to the podium. He wears a starched white button-down shirt and navy blue slacks. At first glance it seems a basic outfit, but a second look highlights the crispness of the cloth, the detailed piping and engraved buttons. This ceremonial look is topped off with a pair of black, plastic-rimmed glasses, though there are no prescriptions in the lenses. As he reaches the podium, the crowd hushes.
"Welcome," says the gentleman, his lapel microphone projecting his words via speakers hidden in the trees. "Welcome, everyone."
"I am Professor Henry Axlerod, and I am honored to provide IT for today's proceedings.
"I'm sure some of you have been to an event like this before, but as a standard still hasn't been found, perhaps I should explain some of the symbols we are using here."
The professor gestured toward the surrounding trees and sky. "As you have been warned, we are meeting outside." This drew smiles from the crowd. "Even as we celebrate the virtual, we must never forget the vital. We should all spend time outdoors, breathing fresh air, testing our muscles, enjoying the beauty of our planet. Far better for us to meet out here, in our natural habitat.
"I wear formal garb today," Axlerod continued, drawing the attention his way. "This style is familiar and yet foreign - from our past, and more accurately, from our mythology. Technology is always a mystery, a secret held by those with the education to acquire it. Such simple clothes, yet they reflect a power that draws on many emotions. I decided against the pocket protector, seemed a bit over the top, don't you think?" The audience chuckles. "Anyway, let's get on to the reason we're here.
"I've had the privilege of meeting many times with Brianna Larkstone, and she is truly a fine young lady. Her parents, Sadie and Ryan, have raised her with a healthy respect for both the in-person and via-fiber worlds.
"Her screenname, BriteLark, may not be world-renown, but the acquaintances she has made with it know her to be open and kind. Her conduct on the blogs she comments on as well as her personal journal postings are all of admirable honesty and grace. Just as vital, the content is worthy of attention, and her style is conscientious and accurate.
"Today, we are here to see the culmination of 18 years of interaction and the growth it inspires. For her entire life, Brianna as BriteLark has been under the watchful eye of her parents. Even we IT old-timers understand just how hard this can be for the budding individual." The professor cracks a smile, and the congregation laughs softly.
"It is well worth emphasizing how things are about to change for Brianna. She was allowed participation in the online world beginning at age 3, and her screenname was chosen for her. Her site registrations, her photos, her prolonged instant messages - all are automatically tracked and cataloged. I spoke with Sadie and Ryan about their use of these usual tools, and as parents go, they were pretty easy going, it seems." More chuckles come from the crowd. "Remember, it's always up to the parent to decide how often to check with the Babysitter. Maybe if you knew, Brianna, you would have played it a little more loosely!" Guests laugh loudly.
"Now, it is time for Brianna to come into her own. She has developed her own style, her own viewpoint. She has learned how to decide if a source is worthy of trust. She has fought trolls, shown charity towards noobs, and pwned when pwnage was merited. She has found, shared, and brought the lulz." The gathered group nods at the familiar cadence. His smile is warm and infectious. "Not all people who use the Internet become true netizens. This moment is only for those who have proven themselves to be real participants in online culture." Axlerod gestures to the crowd. "Your presence here today shows that you, alongside Brianna's parents, agree that her virtual persona is one worth celebrating.
"Many of you here have never met Brianna in person, and many of those didn't even know her real name until I spoke it earlier. It's time for formal introductions, one last joining of identities."
Axlerod had stood alone, gesturing only generally throughout. Now, he stretches a long arm towards one person sitting in the middle of the crowd, his palm facing deferentially upward.
"Brianna, will you join me here?"
It is only as she stands that everyone is sure it is her. Many wear blue today, but her dress is a shade that evokes the heart of electricity. Her hair is simply styled but precisely so. Her parents, sitting on either side of her, stand briefly to give her large hugs in turn. She's blushing by the time she pulls a rectangular bag out from under her chair and approaches the podium. The attendees murmur and smile, connecting a face with a name with a personality with a past.
The professor offers his hand and Brianna shakes it gently, smiling for the others, smiling for a photo, but obviously nervous. Moment documented, she carefully hands him the bag. Axlerod opens it and removes a gleaming laptop computer, which he places on the podium. Brianna stands next to her IT person as bravely as possible. The group quiets, and the professor speaks again.
"Before we continue, I want to explain the reasons why. Earlier, many of you had no idea who this young lady was, even as you knew her online. You may have even sat near her today and had no clue." A teen boy sitting a row away from where Brianna had been shakes his head and smiles. "The online world is like that. The bond between being and not being, identified and not identified, is tenuous. This gives netizens great strength, and as with any strength, it can be misused. It can empower the meek to be heard, and it can provide cover for the most ugly of activities. Always keep this in your thoughts. Anyway, on to happier things.
"This is Brianna's new laptop, a gift from her parents. I'd like to point out the inscription here, on the lid. It says, 'We will always be proud of you, no matter whom you choose to be. Much love, Mom and Dad.'" The crowd sighs. "Yes, lovely, isn't it? Some may think that the gift of a laptop is merely because it's nice to have, but when you consider the shift at hand today, it's ultimately necessary."
<continued below>