The Legend of SI BOB...
Long ago, and far away, back in the mists of time many eons ago...there existed a strange and wonderful long-forgotten kingdom known as SI.
There also existed a great being (whose presence was invisible and omnipotent), who roamed the mysterious cyberspace world of this kingdom...the inhabitants of which were known as "Posters" (some even rising the the exalted, or infamous, level of "PeopleMarks"). Their posting communities, were known as "Threads" (the most outstanding had become "SubjectMarks"), were famous throughout all of cyberspace, for their incredible civility, wit, and most especially...intelligence and great wisdom.
SI BOB was a creature who gently, but firmly, oversaw this great kingdom with much kindness, civility, honesty, and fairness. And all of those who inhabited the kingdom were expected to behave with those same values towards their fellow inhabitants, the other "Posters"...no matter what their status was within the kingdom.
Occasionally he would have to reprimand or sanction someone in his kingdom, for either a minor or major violation of their Constitution, commonly known by the beloved nickname of "TOU." On the very rarest of occasions, when one of the kingdom's inhabitants behaved in a manner so egregious as to be way beyond any form of acceptable behavior, he could (with one swift click of his mighty mouse) banish that evil-doer from the kingdom forever...usually to the cheers of the other "Posters." But mostly he just helped anyone who needed assistance, with great intelligence, eloquence, good humor...and above all, grace.
This ancient WSJ article is an early documentation of his legendary status:
wsj.com
But then one day...SI BOB was gone. The Subject(Mark)s of his kingdom arose almost in unison, crying out for his return. Even many whom had once received his gentle reprimands greatly respected him, and demanded his return. It was an amazing site to behold. The old-timers would say for decades to come, "You just had to be there to see the outcries for yourself." It even hit No.1 on the kingdom's "HotSubjects." But, it was all to no avail. Some believe that he had been banished from the kingdom by three powers even greater than he was...The powers of "Money," "Greed," and "Absolute Stupidity"...But we may never know for sure.
And all those who ever hear the tale in the eons to come,
will continue to tell the story of The Legend of SI BOB...
with reverence...and a good frosty beer...
Always ending with this simple prayer...
"Goodnight, and good luck SI BOB...wherever you are.
We will always miss you."
Roger |
