It’s been a super good and productive day at the Conference. The morning began with a superb Keynote from our very own VW Zane McCune. Normally I would have still been resting my eyes at the time he was scheduled to speak, because it takes me a lot of beauty sleep to look as fine as I do, but I’ve heard VW Zane speak in the past, and definitely didn’t want to miss it.
His presentation did not disappoint.
I took a lot of notes, and look forward to discussing many of his points here on Emeth in the coming weeks.
I’ll just touch upon one of those, briefly now.
Using modern terms, VW Zane makes the point that for centuries now, Freemasonry has been the ultimate content creator.
There have been countless books written on everything from factual (or fanciful) Masonic history, to Masonic esotericism, to Masonic leadership development, to exploration of Masonic ritual, to Masonic myths, and on, and on, and on.
In today’s world that has expanded dramatically beyond just books, to include YouTube videos, essays, online discussion groups, podcasts, facebook groups, reddit subs, and on, and on.
Even Emeth fits into that category.1
After pointing all of that out to us, VW Zane drove home the fact that as Freemasonry is the ultimate creator of all of this content, it is our Lodge’s purpose to deliver that content to our Masons.
The fact that men are interested in all of this content that is created is undeniable, for if there was no one to consume it, no one would create it. And that our Lodges, in order to thrive, need to work out ways to deliver it to our members.
To use it to create truly compelling Lodge experiences.
It was a powerful message, well delivered.
After the morning session, MW Coffman, VW Dean and I drove into north Seattle to help a Lodge address a problem it has been having. Hopefully this problem can be placed into the rearview mirror very soon so that the Lodge can stop worrying about it and get back to the good work of Freemasonry.
Now before you worry that we may well have gotten badly lost making the drive into north Seattle, please let me assure you that no one let me anywhere near car keys.
This afternoon I was able to meet, and have a brief conversation with the Grand Master of Honduras. It turns out that he is a regular reader of Emeth! How awesome is that, to know that our discussions here travel so far from home!
The only bad news is he mentioned that he too now knows to never let me have a set of car keys.
But that is always one of the great benefits of this Conference. The ability to meet Brothers, good men, from all over the world. To spend time with them, and learn from each other.
I have to admit, I really dislike the term content creator for what I do here on Emeth, I prefer to think of it as writing, but, alas, I do recognize that our world is changing.
Sounds like an awesome presentation!
BTW, one more thing, please tell Dan one of our PGMs asked me if I was going to Seattle Friday. I told him that I was not since it did not look like there were any classes for GJWs.
He said “it’s for the best, because if you’re not GM it AIN’T for you.”
So it’s not JUST me being a “stick in the mud” this is what they tell us around here.
Just don't let them keep your truck keys from you. LOL