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Written by Karen D. Swim or was it?
Disclaimer: All characters are fictional and in no way based on any persons living or dead. Any resemblance to any person is completely unintentional. Please only read if you have had sufficient amounts of coffee or tea and your funny bone is in good working condition.
Once upon a time in a far away land people learned that, the earth was flat and it was good. With a digital connection, innovative entrepreneurs could create global networks with the click of a mouse. No longer confined to domestic borders, start-up companies became overnight international sensations. It was the digital age and life was good.
In this era of prosperity, there arose a group more powerful than all the others in the land. They were the Extraordinarians and they were known throughout the interwebs. They were best selling authors, speakers and consultants. Hundreds of thousands stood in digital lines trying to get their attention hoping for a return tweet or response to a comment in the vastness of the interwebs. The Extraordinarians did not care about celebrity for they loved their craft. They continued to study, discover, analyze and share their knowledge.
The Extraodinarians were good but soon a new group arose that lusted after their power, and they were called the Charlatans. The Charlatans modeled themselves after the Extraordinarians. They mirrored their language and style even as they deceived the people about their knowledge. They looked and sounded like the Extraordinarians and for many years no one knew of their deception. The Charlatans led the people to the Parting Place with their magic flutes that played no sound. They drew big signs with pretty colors and the people were transfixed as they danced to the Parting Place. Word spread and everyone believed, for how could so many be wrong.
At the Parting Place the Charlatans traded brightly colored boxes of air for currency from every nation. The followers oohed and aahed about their purchase and declared it as The Answer. Everyone believed because how could so many people be wrong. The Charlatans made boxes of every size and even gave away free bonuses and as word spread the valley filled with people eager to buy air.
Across the Valley another group arose and they were known as the Anti-arians. The Anti’s scowled and frowned and believed nothing they heard. They were opposed to everything and believed in nothing. The Anti’s debated the color of the sky and whether it really should be called the sky. They condemned everyone for it was their nature to live in opposition. Word of their movement spread and their ranks swelled. The Anti’s soon created anti-air in opposition to the Charlatans. Yet they did not move as one for everyone was opposed to everyone and for every anti product, there was an opposing anti, and the people were confused.
Chaos soon ruled the land and a cosmic explosion ripped through the interwebs. The circuits were destroyed and mankind was left without digital giants. The people emerged from their dark holes and explored the world around them. They asked questions as they explored and began to form opinions that were all their own. Independent, free thought ruled the land and it was good.
So dear readers, truth or madness? You decide. 🙂 Please share your comments in the box below. All are welcome to join the conversation. You do not need a blog or website to comment, simply enter your name. If you are a new commenter your comment will not be immediately visible but don’t worry it will post. If you like this post please tell a friend. Thanks!
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Janice Cartier says
Karen,
So…. table dance.. .we like it.. 🙂
Karen Swim says
Janice, oooh, now you’ve inspired me to do a little reading. I am so glad that this got you going. You really offer a great perspective too on “conventional wisdom.” As an artist, I know that you have tons of insight on creativity and commercialism. You have given me a great gift this week Janice, thank you! 🙂
Melissa, it’s partly your fault you know. 😉 You have been so encouraging with your coaching to explore, and free my thoughts. I had so much fun writing it… a little like dancing on a table. 🙂
Melissa Donovan says
I love this tale and my brain is in knots trying to figure out what it means. A Monday puzzle 😉
Janice Cartier says
Karen,
I ‘m back for another read. In the messy way of minds sometimes, I went to refresh myself on Clockwork Orange and then I thought a bit about Ayn Rand… and I reread your post just now… good content does that, provokes a little thinking. Everyone says the internets require quick nibbles, byte-able chunks of info for the ever increasing pace of life we live. Quick in, quick out. I say pooh. This is a keeper. And I’ll be back again to savor it some more.
Wendi Kelly-Life's Little Inspirations says
Karen,
I read the story yesterday morning and went off to contemplate it for awhile. It was one of those savoring posts that I really enjoyed thinking about the entire day. I came back this morning for another read. It really is disturbing but yet the door for hope is open. I like that.
Wendi Kelly-Life’s Little Inspirationss last blog post..Remembering Pen Pals…
Karen Swim says
Alex, yes I read the MWP post and I was surprised by the eerie similarity. It’s nice to be in such good company. 😉 LOL, yea we may be living the real story now so my heart hopes for the future. 🙂
Karen Swim says
Karen, ROFL! My secret keeping abilities are legendary! LOL! Thanks Karen! 🙂
Karen Swim says
Steph, the editor, I truly thank you!!! Your comment means so much to me. Hugs!!!
Karen Swim says
Evelyn, I am so glad you enjoyed it and glad that you could feel the words. I cannot tell you how much your words mean to me! Thanks for the stumble too, you rock! I’ll be by later to travel. 🙂
Karen Swim says
E, as I read your comment I grinned and rubbed my hands together thinking “ooooh that’s good!” Yes, blind following, a modern day Stockholm syndrome – you hit on so many great points. “Great story.” This line totally makes my day, my gosh the words writers live to hear. Big fat huge hugs to you E! Thank you!!!
Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome says
Funny how similar this post is to Men With Pen’s sheeping and shepherding post – something floating about the ether, I suppose.
I was with you up until I got to this line:
And then I realized that we were dealing with a piece of fantasy. Unfortunately for me the real story would end with…
Karen Putz says
So, Karen, if I bribe you with chocolate, will you reveal names? Nice post!
steph says
What a cool story! Well-written, Karen, I enjoyed it. I especially loved the tone you chose, the narrative voice.
stephs last blog post..Magic in the Air
Evelyn Lim says
Well written! You hit on important points and observations with your story. I could feel the chaos and confusion, amidst the fight for superiority and clashes of the ego.
Stumbled!
Evelyn Lims last blog post..Mind Travel To Ancient Egypt
Ellen Wilson says
Karen,
This is a damn good story. I like it. It kind of reminds me of a rough sketch of Steven Kingist kinda stuff. Or should I say, Swimist kinda stuff.
What do I think of when I read these words? Things in Mythical Proportions! I like the independent thinking aspect – so I like the end of the story because there is some hope.
You know it’s interesting that Brad thought of government regulation and I thought of something entirely different. I think of people blindly following their leaders without questioning anything (digital giants).
And I think of this: the Aryans were an actual group of people (Indo Europeans) who thought themselves superior to others – it is interesting Hitler used this term for his ideas of the “supreme Aryan nation.” Some archeologist/anthropologists believe they may have started the whole light/dark, male/female polarity thinking in human thought.
Great story. I think you tapped into something here. Now I want to know what your were REALLY thinking when you wrote it.
“Magic flutes that played no sound.” That is gooood!
Karen Swim says
First, a big, huge fat thank you to all of you! Can I just confess I’m tickled pink that you didn’t stop in and say “you total nutcase what the heck were you thinking?” LOL!
@Janice, several months ago I wrote a still unpublished post called “who’s in your wallet?” I thought it was too pointed so let it sit. The US election drew some similarities in my mind to what happens online and on Saturday this post took shape.
@Joanna, I really appreciate those words. I have been trying to be mindful of being respectful while also stretching myself. 🙂
@Kelly, *GRIN* Thank you, thank you, thank you! This is why love fiction, you can tell the truth and no one gets sued. 🙂
@Ulla, danke gut! 🙂 I love the idea of the Normalians! Hmm, there may be a part II!
@Alina, thank you so much! As always you have such a great, upbeat attitude! You are so right, when we can still joke about it, it’s not too bad! 🙂
Alina Popescu says
Hi Karen! What an amazing read for a Monday evening. I really had loads of fun and couldn’t help notice the pieces of truth inserted in your story. If we can still make fun of the virtual world we live in, then it is still really good 🙂
Alina Popescus last blog post..Monday Reading Roundup – Take #11
Ulla Hennig says
Karen,
I loved to read this piece! Especially that part about the Extraordinarians and the Charlatans! Just thinking about it – what about adding a group called the normalians? They looked at all the fights between Extraordinarians and Charlatans, shook their heads and decided to leave them alone…
Ulla Hennigs last blog post..Friendly Waters
Kelly says
Karen,
That is a beautiful tale, and clearly non-fiction, except that we haven’t reached nirvana quite yet, but the rumblings are there. You hit it all right on the metaphorical head here. Nice job.
Regards,
Kelly
Kellys last blog post..Tip of the Week: Push a Friend
Joanna Young says
I’m glad you enjoyed writing it. I certainly enjoyed reading it. It’s always good when people step out of their comfort zones – for the reader that is!
Joanna Youngs last blog post..Can’t Get To Vegas? Come and Expo Here
Janice Cartier says
Karen,
I like this. Would love to know more about what inspired it.
Karen Swim says
Hi Joanna! I had so much fun writing it! It was scary publishing it, you know the fear of stepping out of your nice comfy place but the writing was great fun! I have been watching lately this phenomena of group think and began to ask questions of myself too. It inspired my writing. BTW, I had fun at your expo and the food was top notch! 🙂
Joanna Young says
Hi Karen, I enjoyed reading this a lot – a most original piece.
You hit on a very important point – that as readers on the net we need to learn new skills – to be discerning, to form our own opinions, not to take everything at face value, not to take ‘social proof’ as proof that you’re reading or consuming something of quality.
Did you have fun writing it?
Joanna Youngs last blog post..Can’t Get To Vegas? Come and Expo Here
Karen Swim says
Hi Brad! It is a cautionary tale. 🙂 I was not even thinking of govt regulation when I wrote it – interesting angle! You are right, so much going on in that area that is scary, if our govt “owned” the net we would be in trouble. 🙂
Brad Shorr says
Fun to read, Karen, but not fun reading. Governmental regulation of the Internet is possible, which would be a real killer. I hope it doesn’t happen.
Brad Shorrs last blog post..Blog Design Features You Can Love