58 - The Font of All Knowledge Speaks

Instruction The First

By Perrin Thurmentaler

It is by nature that mankind is suited to a feudal structure.  When over-elaborate, unwieldy forms of self-governance break down, men tend to flock to the few strongest among them, and look to them for guidance.  By strongest I mean either strong through force of arms, or strong through force of intellect.  If one has the ownership of the greatest amount of land and goods, then one is obviously the smartest of the lot.

Thus our enlightened and rational government was born.  I, as the sole owner and proprietor of the planet, dictate who shall live there and what access they shall have to the greater, corrupting civilization.

We have the First Class, all those who are my closest peers who can handle the pernicious and insidious corruption of too much eduction. They have permission to access almost all of the scrutinized technology that is present to terraform our beloved planet.  A little knowledge is a dangerous thing, so the First Class willingly submit to our most careful scrutiny and security, with periodic checks of their adherence to our moral code.

Our Second Class are our technicians and workers, who have a strict limit on their eduction.  They can read, but must read only the texts allowed for their particular career, and certain entertainments after our priestly censors have allowed their publication.

Our Third and Fourth Classes are our Illiterates, kept safe from over-intellectualization, not needing to bother with such time-wasters as reading.  They have the strength of their arms and their pure and unsullied, innocent selves as their strength and their shield.  They, should they require entertainment of any kind after their labours of the day, are allowed the regularly scheduled programming at the community centre, and the regular governmental radio broadcasts, daily.  All other high technology is forbidden them, lest they be made uncomfortable and unsettled by insidious thoughts and ideas.

Keepers are the voice of the women of the First and Second classes and are of those two classes, traditionally.  Their chain of office is blue and gold, with a medallion depicting an open book.

Women are members of their husband’s or their father’s or their brother’s class.  Learning is even more insidious for them, and they are required to be the grand ornament upon the arms of their men.  Let women not speak but let her Keeper speak for her.  He will walk at her back, no more than three paces away, wearing his chain of the office to denote his status.  He is required to listen to her words and repeat them so they may be given appropriate weight and authority.

The Third Class are allowed artistic expression, of course, but must submit all artworks for approval to the village information priest.  The creators of the entertainment for the masses shall be drawn from the Second Class.

Only the First Class are allowed the luxury of maintaining horses.  Dogs and cats are allowed for the Second Class. Rodent pets are acceptable for Illiterates.

Remember that the code, bought and paid for and maintained by the Font of All Knowledge, is what keeps the planet running and becoming more and more like Earth.  Remember your place and keep it whole.  Don’t get above your raising.  Be content in the life that you have been given.