V-2nd: on cybernetics: The Machine

[Mark Kohut]

In Zamyatin's WE,of 1921, translated into English first in the 20s,  the totalitarian Government of the future is sometimes called the Machine....

definitions:
    * any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks 
    * an intricate organization that accomplishes its goals efficiently; "the war machine" 
    * a device for overcoming resistance at one point by applying force at some other point 
          a group that controls the activities of a political party; "he was endorsed by the Democratic machine" 
    * car: a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine; "he needs a car to get to work"
wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn 
 
    * A machine is any that uses energy to perform some activity. In common usage, the meaning is that of a device having parts that perform or assist in performing any type of work. A simple machine is a device that transforms the direction or magnitude of a force without consuming any energy. ...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machine
 
 
The Machine, the former Alpha Rho chapter of Theta Nu Epsilon at the University of Alabama, is a coalition of traditionally-white fraternities and sororities which formed a secret society with some degree of influence over campus and Alabama state politics. The group, which has operated in varying degrees of secrecy since 1914, is credited with selecting and ensuring the election of candidates for Student Government Association and other influential on-campus and off-campus offices. It was dubbed "The Machine" in 1928 by Alabama's campus newspaper, The Crimson White. It plays a role in the politics of the student community, and it is argued by others that it plays a real role in the political careers of numerous politicians in the state.



----- Original Message ----
From: Joe Allonby <joeallonby at gmail.com>
To: Page <page at quesnelbc.com>
Cc: Mark Kohut <markekohut at yahoo.com>; pynchon -l <pynchon-l at waste.org>
Sent: Thu, June 17, 2010 4:11:55 PM
Subject: Re: V-2nd: on cybernetics

I think PF was referring to the music industry.

On Wed, Jun 16, 2010 at 3:41 PM, Page <page at quesnelbc.com> wrote:
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> Pink Floyd?
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> From: "Mark Kohut" <markekohut at yahoo.com>
>
> When did the whole governing system begin to be called The Machine, anyone
> know?
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