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baza B
baza Sep 24, 2003 18:41:56
Replying to nigelswift

I missed that weblog of Tombo's, too.

Having had my attention drawn to it, I disagree with the whole tone of his article and here are a couple of thoughts in way of a reply.

As a young lad, I was a trainspotter...with an anorak. As well as standing at the end of station platforms, jotting down engine numbers, I had a good knowledge of the British railway system. On seeing a locomotive, I could tell you exactly what type of locomotive it was, where it was built and by whom, where its usual base was, what type of traffic it was designed to haul.......and so on. I see nothing wrong with having such an interest; does anyone? Way back then, some people derided me for my hobby, as do some now, when I go off to look at some 'rocks' or 'bumps in the ground'. If someone collects stamps then I see no reason to mock them. The way I see things, derision of such a pastime is born out of ignorance or misunderstanding, just as I sometimes wonder at the hobbies of some others.

<I>A megarak....</I>[makes]<I>....cries of denial: "we can never hope to understand the purpose of these places or the intentions of their builders", and "all those who claim to know anything of the purpose of these places or the intentions of their builders are indulging in nothing more than speculation".
This is nihilism at its worst: denying even the possibility of knowledge because you personally don't know.</I>

Ha! My experience is exactly the opposite to what you claim! There used to be a pagan-inspired collective going under the name Cruithni. I was denied involvement *precisely* because I have an open mind as to whether or not we will eventually discover the meaning and use of prehistoric monuments!

Andy Burnham claims to have devised the word 'megarak' and this is how he says that the term 'anorak' was first applied to certain enthusiasts:

http://www.anoraknation.com/knowledge/free_radio/000002.html


baz

F FourWinds
FourWinds Sep 24, 2003 19:42:40
Replying to baza

Ah ... that's better! And a much calmer answer than the one I penned and binned :-)

I must admit that I did feel a certain ... erm ... revulsion is about the only word I can think of ... to the text. I know it's written from the heart and is in response to several things that have been said in various threads over time, but I did think there was a lot of 'Pot' & 'Kettle' about it. Not Tombo being the 'Pot', but 'a New Ager' being the pot.

I personally find a great many spiritual types to be the most closed minded people I know. Any criticism of theories, any simple explanation to a mystery and they jump up and down stamping their feet. This, I think, is why I have lowered myself to doing the same over the years, thinking it was maybe the only way to get through to some of them. I was wrong.

I have been trying for some time now not to throw my teddy out of my pram and I've been doing fairly well, with just a few minor tantrums of late.

Everything has a cause and everything has an effect. We know a lot of effects and a few of the causes. I believe we will find all the causes eventually. Whether removing all the mystery is a good thing is a totally different thread.

M Megalithic
Megalithic Sep 25, 2003 00:21:42
Replying to baza

Forgive the swearing but I bloody did invent the term!! Ask the old timers on the Stones Mailing List.

For the record, here's my response, minus the unnecessarily rude front bit that I'm sure FourWinds will delight in quoting for me.

He doesn't understand what a megarak is, so allow me:

The term was based not in trainspotting but in Offshore Radio of the 1960s to 1980s, the latter times of which I was quite heavily involved. I don't know any trainspotters so I can't speak for them.

To learn more, go to the quite excellent
http://www.anoraknation.com , specifically
What is an anorak?
http://www.anoraknation.com /knowledge/free_radio/000002.html

It's popular misconception that the 'anorak' is not a spiritual creature. Anoraks follow the concept of 'Loving Awareness' propogated by Radio Caroline
http://www.anoraknation.com /knowledge/radio_caroline/000006.html

Similarly, the concept of a megarak is based deeply in emotions and connectedness, if not 'spirituality' per se. Speaking for myself as coiner of the term, and thus the founding megarak:

Megaraks are fascinated by the connection between ancient and modern technology. Megalithic sites and artefacts such as the gold cup on TV this evening (excellent program I thought BTW - they have redeemed themselves in my book) are evidence of the first technology. We are the same people that created that technology. I'm sure their technology was intertwined with 'magic'. The best of ours is too. Their sites vied with each other for their clever design and grew more sophisticated over time. There's a parallel there.

Megaraks are inclusive. We are deeply interested in modern forms of stone-circlery and paganism even if we don't necessarily go off dressing up in cloaks and waving our arms around, as we are usually quiet people.

We are tolerant of alternative views and other users of the countryside (with the exception of the 4x4 offroad driving fraternity!). We are intolerant of idolatry, cliques and intolerant people.

We deeply object to the ingrained term 'Monuments' (notice I never EVER use that word) and would like it struck from the terminology. We are also very sceptical about 'Heritage', my second least favourite word. What does this tell you about our belief in the subject's connectedness with the present?

I've heard and read Michael Dames and I find him the least convincing of the serious 'Earth Mysteries' writers. Like a lot of things, megaraks were a spinoff from the 'Ley Hunter' magazine (which was mostly not about Ley Lines, or Hunting them - don't let's start on that one again).

Megaraks most want people to respect and inform themselves about ancient sites. This is our primary purpose. Yes we like to observe and record, this is true, but out of our desire to pass on information to others, and not to change the site, but let the site change us.

Given all the above, it should be clear that the Stones Mailing List is the true home of the Megarak. This is where the word was born. I'm especially tickled to see it passing seriously into the language. Next stop the Oxford English Dictionary!

The only bit Tombo gets right is that a megarak is someone with an ironic sense of humour.

The people Tombo derides are actually called Pokemonolithiacs (gotta catch 'em all) and we love them as well. Come on people, help us 'catch' them all!

Andy
http://www.megalithic.co.uk