Write a chapter to this story

Okay, just for fun: this is a challenge story: I wrote a chapter, and someone else writes chapter 2, and again someone else chapter 3, etcetera. Feel challenged to write your own chapter!

(If you think this story is crazy, you’re probably right )

PROGRESSIVE CONGRESS

CHAPTER 1: SOME OBSCURE THEORIES

From all parts of the world they assembled, the honourable professors. It was the 1^st interdisciplinary international congress that was centered about one theme: to understand the progressive mind. Governments and companies were worried because of something they didn’t understand: musical diversity and people who could handle that. So priorities were made and in no time millions of dollars and euros were spent to support high IQ persons with a degree to do research about the progressive music lovers. Are they dangerous? What if they would procreate? They also organised a congress on a White Mountain somewhere in Central Europe.

Professor Mindhugh, expert in Darwinistic Biology, was to be the first speaker. “So long, Booker”, he said self assured to his assistant. “I’m off to shake the world with my remarkable theories”. And off he was to the platform, ready to let explode another scientifical bomb. Booker remained at the back, indifferent, tossing a cigarette in a small smokers area just next to the auditorium.

Professor Mindhugh looked at his audience with narrow eyes and said: “I have discovered that there are to types of the species homo progressus, or homo symphonicus if you will: the homo symphonicus simplex and the homo symphonicus complex. The first one likes simple prog, like the so called neo prog, later Genesis, Camel, Caravan and prog metal. The last one likes complex prog, like Gentle Giant, Henry Cow, Area and Canterbury. All prog lovers belong to one of those categories”

There he made a little pause to allow people to utter some “Oh’s” or  “Ah’s” or give the first round of applause, but there was dead silence. Less sure than before the professor continued his lecture, a bit less self assured than before.

“Your prof isn’t exactly political correct, isn’t he?” grinned Booker’s companion, his colleague Butterfinger.

“That’s the least of his mistakes”, Booker mumbled from behind his cigarette.

“And all this darwinist nonsense. Never heard of Intelligent Design, I suppose. Wait for the shift of paradigm and they’re all out of work within 25 years.”

Butterfinger smiled: “They’re already retired by then”.

Professor Mindhugh finished his lecture, and bowed his head. No applause. He left the stage with a red head.

Professor Specktickle was next. He was an IQ-specialist. He said in his rather nasal voice: “There is much more diversity than professor Mindhugh thinks. There’s an interesting connection between one’s favourite band and one’s IQ. Asia: 90 – 100. Later Genesis: 95 – 105. Camel: 100 – 110. Early Genesis: 105 – 115. Yes: 115 – 125. Rush: 120 – 130. Gentle Giant: 130 – 140. Henry Cow: 140 – 150. Kraftwerk: 150+. The Kraftwerk lovers come close to the so called man machine. They can look in the mirror and say to themselves: ‘I’m perfect, are you?’ ”

The professors came and went. They all had different theories. No one got an applause.

Professor Suckling, Freudian psychology: “Complexity has nothing to do with intelligence. One could see if a progressive music lover has unresolved conflicts or not. Those who like Renaissance, Camel and Caravan have the ability to engage themselves in Traumdeutung. They can live their dreams and vice versa. Those who admit to like Gentle Giant and Henry Cow admit that they have a severe neurosis, or an inbuilt psychosis, Those who engage in Krautrock have an arrested development. They experience an oceanic feeling in their music.”

Professor Striver, an Adler-adept (psychology): “It all has to do with social stratification. A Van der Graaf Generator or Queensryche fan is trying to get a place in the world, has a lot of conflicts with his or her surrounding, and on the deepest level with his- or herself...”

“Now comes my prof,” says Butterfinger. “He traveled around the world to do field work.”

Professor Wanderlust, social and physical geography, starts his lecture. “I have traveled around the world and discovered some great connections between social surroundings and preferred music. I’ve been to different Italian villages and discovered that the average Italian sees poetry, music in everything.” He starts a slideshow. “Here we have the village of Locanda. In the main street we have a bakery, Premiata Forneria Marconi, a bank, Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso…”

“The Canterbury part is the most boring”. Butterfinger shakes his head. "It's all about non stick kitchen utensils and such"

“Who is that ugly looking woman on the slides?” says Booker.

“That’s his wife. They combine research with holidays. Don’t think my prof will ever examine the Scandinavian prog scene”, says Butterfinger. “Too cold”. He smiles wrily.

“And of course the Alps. The mountains, the rock, and the Sauerkraut brings the German in an altered state of mind…”

“I’ve heard enough”, Butterfinger said, and he rose from his chair..

Booker held him back and pointed at the next speaker. “Wait”, he said. “Who’s that?”

END OF CHAPTER ONE

chopper wrote: Very well written Mr Moogtron. I don't really have the time to think up and write another chapter. Hopefully someone else will - Trouserpress would be good, where is he lately btw?

I don't know. I miss some others too, like BaldJean and BaldFriede. Usually people who contribute a lot come back sooner or later. I wonder if Threefates will ever come back though.

Thanks for the compliment, BTW.