52 replies to this topic

[Third Flower]

Today, I speak with the full confidence of Clan Smoke Trees behind me. This is our lore core, the essence of our clan, and it can be described as the practical methods by which we aim to progress our society.

JoeLean has posed an excellent question: Are we a Warden Clan or a Crusader Clan. To answer this question is easy, for we are neither. We reject the arbitrary distinctions of the past, as soon as they hold no meaning. We do not cling to tradition, like our misguided clan brethren or the oppressed people of the Inner Sphere, for it is vesting power in thoughts and principles, and we believe all power must ultimately lie with the greater commonality. With the people, for the people, to the people, so to speak.

The distinction between Warden and Crusader holds no power over us, for we do not let it define or shape our actions. There is a very specific method to this, once described on Terra in the far-gone days of 1983, and then further expanded upon in 1987, by the excellent scholar Schön. Schön described a method of approaching complex problems, much more suited for modern times than the context-ignorant earlier approaches. Complex problems in our complex world, cannot be solved by simple lists or theoretical approaches, but must instead depend on the practitioner's ability to reflect - in action - on her/his own actions, and the results hereof. Schön called this reflection-in-action, to signify the close relationship between the reflection and the action.

That is not to say that reflection-on-action does not have its place - and indeed, you will often see me recommending just that. However, reflection-on-action requires one to stop what one is doing, to break the action so to speak, and is therefore not enough. Reflection-on-action is done as the actions continue, in a way that cannot be separated from the actions, and as such, it is an invaluable skill to train, to be able to fully respond to a complex situation's complex outcomes. An excellent and often used example, is that of a band jamming. A great musician is trained in music, but is then able to expand upon the basic foundation of a given composition, to reflect a specific tone, creative idea or even a mistake. For a band of highly skilled musicians, an accidental note can spawn an entirely different composition, without any pause or false-starts. That is a good picture of what we mean, when we say reflection-in-action, although it is naturally not in any way an exhaustive or precise picture.

For a group of people such as us, of the Clan Smoke Trees, reflection-in-action is a key term. It is as close to a dogmatic principle as we have, simply because it describes a method of approaching a given situation through understanding the context, the mechanics involved and the social implications of different outcomes, and encourages open-faced exploration of that defined space. In other words, much like the scientific method – which holds a clause for its own termination as the current best method of exploring the Universe – is a method of coming to terms with the unknown without dogmatic approaches, so is training in reflection-in-action training in responding well to the world, and painlessly adapting to changing circumstances.

So, to sum it all up and answer your question JoeLean, Clan Smoke Trees acts as Wardens when Wardens are needed, Crusaders when Crusaders are needed, but most of the time, we act simply as Clan Smoke Trees. We do what creates the best outcome for us, our enemies, our friends and any fourth parties, regardless of conventional wisdom. Since we aim to create a truly progressive society, we hold no ideals or principles beyond criticism, and measure our results on the world, not against arbitrary social constructs. We are benevolent, because we see no purpose in antagonism, we are united, because we see no purpose in division, and we are excellent, because we see no purpose in mediocrity.

If anyone is interested in how the theories of Schön have directly shaped our battle-training, the way we build our society and how it influences our everyday lives, I will be happy to go into further detail.

As always, prime in your heart, Third Flower.

[Amberlance]

In exposing more of our lore core, it is hard to ignore our art. Simultaneously an engine and reflection of our culture, it embodies our rejection of cultural and intellectual conformity. We share the belief that allegiance and obedience are the precursors to self-destruction. For us, art is not an end in itself, but it is an opportunity for the true perception and criticism of the times we live in.

Fascist overtones present in clan art are furiously violated in the earlier works of Mellifluous Sugarcube, who accompanied his pieces with twenty-one-score page novels described precisely the intent of her performance. Instructions were given that her paintings were to be displayed only in dark rooms, and only lit by burning the associated text. Here we see an untitled piece from soon after our clan's renunciation period: a vociferous raid on pro-imperialist sentiments among the clans.




It is a living commentary of our formative years. At the time we had lost confidence in our culture. Everything had to be demolished. We would begin again after the tabula rasa. At the Cabaret of Strana Mechty we began by shocking common sense, public opinion, education, institutions, museums, good taste, in short, the whole prevailing order. Every word that is spoken and sung under the smoke tree's canopy represents at least this one thing: that this humiliating age has not succeeded in winning our respect. With the sound of gusting wind in the branches of the language trees, our words give way like leaves, and every other glimpses another reality hidden in the foliage.

We speak only of ourselves since we do not wish to convince, we have no right to drag others into our river, we oblige no one to follow us and everybody practices their art in their own way. We have forced ourselves to contradict ourselves, in order to avoid conforming to our own tastes.

We hope this has provided the barest shiver of knowledge to the seeds in the moss. In attempting to define our art, we risk vomiting and falling apart at the joints, to join the buzzing carcasses of old friends.

Seyla.

[Third Flower]

Seyla, dearest Amberlance, Seyla.

[Bastard Ken]

The traditionalist Clans accuse the Smoke Trees of being anarchists, and of rejecting the mandate to protect the Inner Sphere handed down from Kerensky. In doing so they display a sad lack of cultural sensitivity and raise a mirror up to their own hypocrisy. The laws and hierarchy of the Smoke Trees are as changing as the forest floor, they grow and recede in their seasons, but always to the same purpose. If the clan must destroy, it is only so that something new can be grown. In this they follow the path of kimba, or bushfire. If the clan refuses to fight, and cedes ground in the face of even trivial opposition, they are following the path of helianthus, or the sunflower, and they are going to find a new way and place to seek truth. By spreading these and other teachings to the Inner Sphere "barbarians" (the Smoke Trees prefer to think of them as seeds struggling to find the light) they follow the teachings of Kerensky to protect the Inner Sphere not from an outside enemy, but from themselves.

[Magnificent Fartlord]

One of my favorite quotes from one of Clan Smoke Tree's finest writers in his classic play, A Smoke for All Seasons

"This country's planted thick with trees from coast to coast--man's trees, not God's--and if you cut them down...d'you really think you could stand upright in the winds that would blow then, man?"

-Robert Blunt

Edited by Magnificent Fartlord, 16 July 2012 - 12:09 PM.

[Third Flower]

I got a message last night, through our volunteer courier-pigeon system (fully carbon neutral and incredibly reliable - seems that asking the pigeons for their assistance works a lot better than indoctrinating and molding them for a single purpose. I know, not really surprising at all, is it?), that held a question for the clan:

"What is all the fuss about Tetatae about? Sincerely," and then there was a single tear, permanently frozen, as the signature.

Well, Single Tear, answer is, that encountering the Tetatae represents the first true meeting with another highly intelligent, sentient race, which is one of the single most important events in human existence. We will forever be judged by our interactions with them, and since their first contact with humans left deep scars in the trust between our species, we must work to mend these relations. The Tetatae are so far the only brothers and sisters we have met, in this unfathomably big Universe. They are the only other beings we have encountered, that will look at the stars on a clear night, and ponder the endless questions of existance. To consider them anything but our closest allies in understand the Universe is impossible - we have too much to gain and everything to lose.

The arrival of the Tetatae and the beautiful diplomacy of the Capellan Confederation - which has brought an alliance between House Lowtax and the Tetatae into being, that allows time and peace for understanding and cultural exchange to flourish - is what has brought Clan Smoke Trees to the Inner Sphere at this time, as well as the desire to correct the wrongs of the horrific despots from the so called "great" houses. We believe that these goals are aligned, and that the revolution in the Capellan Confederation, that has displaced House Liao in favor of the democratically elected House Lowtax, signals a time of progressive change for the Inner Sphere. A horrendous tyranny has been broken by the skill and conviction of both Tetatae and Tenbux warriors, with the almost unanimous support of the Capellan population. Although we believe as always that violence solves nothing, and must be applied as delicately as possible, with supreme skill, to avoid harm to the target, we commend the brave Tetatae and Humans, fighting together for further progress towards progressive goals.

I hope that answers your question, Single Tear. May the 'Mechs be with you!

[Jukebox1986]

Hello dear Clanners!

I´d like to show you a wonderful new product from the nicest place of the I.S.

I´d like to present to you: Freebirth Gum!



Now for Sale!

[BenEEeees VAT GROWN BACON]

Janus Wealth, on 19 July 2012 - 12:02 PM, said:

Hello dear Clanners!

I´d like to show you a wonderful new product from the nicest place of the I.S.

I´d like to present to you: Freebirth Gum!



Now for Sale!

And don't forget the amazing taste of VAT GROWN BACON.

Miss home cooked Clan food? Miss the delectable taste of inorganically grown test-tube meats? No problems, BenEE is here to provide all with scrumptious bacon food products genuinely grown from our secret recipe of protein solution and collagen binding agents!

Some of you may have heard the evil lie back in 3030 about how we accidentally mixed up Sibko meat with pork compounds, but I assure you that is nothing but lies! Horrible horrible lies! So put that out of your minds and tuck into wholesome, delicious, crispy VAT GROWN BACON!

SUPERIOR MEAT FOR A SUPERIOR RACE!

[Bastard Ken]

Thank you for the kind food offering, but our eugenics program and philosophy has focused on emulating our totem lifeform to the point that we largely draw nutrients from photosynthesis now. The gum is very chewable, the bacon is unnecessary.

[NWHHarrier]

To the stars they reach
From Strana Mechty they hail
You shall know peace soon

[Nuclear Xmas]

"Superior tactics"

I can't wait to see whether or not your clan can actually hold up to such a bold statement.

[ORIGINAL SteelWolf]

/target
/fire
/dance around new campfire.

[Alaric Wolf Kerensky]

Ramrod, on 28 June 2012 - 05:19 AM, said:

The war crimes perpetrated by the Jaguars at Turtle Bay and beyond are deadly serious.

What crimes? Dumb spheroids bombed themselves, and a bunch of very heroic Jaguars tried to stop them, but failed. Then people thought the Jaguars did it but you know that is not the truth...