2112: Temples of Bill's Hijinx

I. Overture
"And the Geek shall reboot the earth."

II. Temples of Hijinx
... "The massive grey walls of the Temples rise from the heart of every
Federation city.  I have always been awed by them, to think that every single
facet of every life is regulated and directed from within!  Our books, our
music, our work and play are all looked after by the benevolent wisdom of the
software priests..."

We've taken care of everything
The WAVs you hear the songs you sing
The web sites that give pleasure to your eyes.

It's naught for you and all for Bill
You work for us, and better still
You never stop to wonder how or why.

We are the Priests, of the Temples of Hijinx
Our great O.S.es fill these hallowed halls.
We are the Priests, of the Temples of Hijinx
You'll spend your life on tech support calls.

Look around this world we made
Mediocrity our stock in trade
Come and join the Brotherhood of Bland
Oh what a wide web-centered world
Let ad banners be unfurled
Hold the Red Mouse proudly high in hand.

We are the Priests, of the Temples of Hijinx
Our great O.S.es fill your gigabit drives.
We are the Priests, of the Temples of Hijinx
When the harddisks crash, your data won't survive.


III. Discovery
... "Behind my beloved waterfall, in the little room that was hidden just off
the cafe, I found it.  I brushed away the dust of the years, and picked it up,
holding it reverently in my hands.  I had no idea what it might be, but it was
beautiful" ...

... "I learned to lay my fingers across the keyboard, and to hit the keys to make
it look differently.  As I clicked the mouse with my other hand, I produced
my first compilable code, and soon my own programs!  How different it could be
from the Windows of the Temples!  I can't wait to tell the priests about it! ..."

What can this strange device be?
When I touch it, it gives forth a sound
It's got an open architecture and GUI.
What can this thing be that I found?

See how it works without crashing
And swaps between programs without pain
Source code compiles without waiting
And I won't need to reboot again!

I can't wait to share this new Apple
The people will all see its light
Let them all write their own programs
The Priests praise my name on this night.

IV. Presentation
... "In the sudden silence as I finished compiling, I looked up to a circle of
grim, expressionless faces.  Father Gates rose to his feet, and his somnolent
voice echoed throughout the silent Temple Hall." ...

... "Instead of the grateful joy that I expected, they were words of quiet
rejection!  Instead of praise, sullen dismissal.  I watched in shock and horror
as Father Gates ground my precious instrument to splinters beneath his feet..."

I know it's most unusual
To come before you so
But I've found an ancient miracle
I thought that you should know

Recompile my source code
And see what it can do
There's something here as strong as life
I know that it will reach you.

Yes, we know it's nothing new
It's just a waste of time
We have no need for ancient ways
Our world is doing fine

Another GUI to help destroy
This geeky race of man
Forget about your silly whim
It doesn't fit the plan!

I can't believe you're saying
These things just can't be true
Our world could use this platform
Just think what it might do!

Recompile my source code
And see what it can do
There's something here as strong as life
I know that it will reach you.

Don't annoy us further
We have some states to sue.
Just think about the weak of mind
What use have they for you?

Another GUI to help destroy
This geeky race of man
Forget about your silly whim
It doesn't fit the plan.

V. Oracle: The Dream
... "I guess it was a dream, but even now it all seems so vivid to me.  Clearly
yet I see the beckoning hand of the Oracle as he stood at the summit of Mount Tam" ...

... "I see still the incredible beauty of the intuitive interfaces and the pure
spirit of man revealed in the applets and javascripts of this world.  I was overwhelmed
by both wonder and understanding as I saw a completely different way to life, a
way that had been crushed by the Federation long ago.  I saw now how
meaningless life had become with the loss of all these things ..."

I wandered home though Seattle streets
And fell into a fitful sleep
Escape to realms beyond the night
Dream can't you show me the light?

I stand atop a spiral stair
Steven Jobs confronts me there
He leads me on light years away
Through astral nights, galactic days

I see the works of gifted hands
That grace this strange and wondrous land
I see the hand of man arise
With hungry mind and open eyes

They left the planet long ago
The elder race still learn and code
Their OS grows with purpose strong
To claim the place where it belongs
Home, to tear the Temples down...
Home, to change..

VI. Soliloquy
... "I have not left this Espresso Bar for days now, it has become my last 
refuge in my total despair.  I have only the 3d multimedia of the waterfall 
to comfort me now.  I can no longer live under the control of the Federation, 
but there is no other place to go.  My last hope is that with my death I may 
pass into the world of my dream, and know ease-of-use at last."

The sleep is still in my eyes
The dream is still in my head
I click my mouse and sadly smile
And lie a while in bed
I wish that it might come to pass
Not fade like all my dreams

Just think of life beyond PC
And just how great this world could be
I don't think I can carry on
Carry on without my trusty 'Mac'
Oh...noo.

My system resources are low in depths of despair
My latte spills over.........

VII. The Grand Finale
Attention all PCs of the Wintel Federation
Attention all PCs of the Wintel Federation
Attention all PCs of the Wintel Federation
Alt Delete Control.
Alt Delete Control.
Alt Delete Control.............

***

© Mark Jakusovszky 1998


Submitted for your perusing pleasure,
Mark J.

8/8/98