Week 7 (1213)

What will people say?
In these words lies the tyranny of the world,
the whole destruction of our natural disposition,
the oblique vision of our minds.
These four words hold sway everywhere.
— Berthold Auerbach UBU

What will people say?

Have those four words ever crossed your mind? How often have they stopped you from doing or saying something that you believed in or knew was right?

Why does it require courage to believe in oneself, to act with integrity, and to speak honestly? Consider these words from a Russian dissident at the height of the Cold War:

One day posterity will remember,
this strange era, these strange times,
when ordinary common honesty was called courage.

The Cold War may be a memory, but those words still ring true. Consider:

Battles rage within us all, where truth is compromised
There dreams, like tissue paper wings, are torn and tossed aside

But why would we ever abandon our own dreams?

Among the reasons, because of these four little words:

What will people say?

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I for one am sick and tired, of cowing in disgrace
Tells me it’s impossible, my time will be erased
Says be realistic, accept my human’s place
Still sensing time to listen, it’s time I should replace
That grown-up pain in mirror, with one that he displaced
Clean out all this common sense, what’s left I will embrace

Alas, only those who find this week’s Hidden Quest (150+50) will ever understand that last line.

Hint: It’s on this page.

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Kudos: To Jake S and Semar Y for the featured art this week. The thumbnail captures the essence of this week’s message. The Achievement, the XP, and the Gold will be heading your way soon. The poster(s) is (are) great but came in a close second.

Gratz: To Sara I for designing the Fall Concert poster chosen by Mr. Infantino. Claim mastery.

Gratz II: Three lucky players won 100 Gold for guessing the correct date we’d surpass 200,000 page views. Take a look at this then check to see if you won. (Guesses for 200k after this update are null and void.)

Gratz III: Only four students paid attention. Go figure. You four earned the 40 Gold.

Google Doodle: Check out today’s cool doodle.

Quest

• Code of Honor Revisited

Epic Quest

• Elements & Principles (250+75)

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1016: You have a sub today but I’m in the next room. Be good. Lots of XP and Gold today. Read on.

Required: Encounter and Accept the following Quests today.

Required: Watch each of the videos within the Quests.

Optional: Completion and Mastery are optional.

Required Quests

• Nickname No No
• Hidden Treasure 101 (55+25 plus an optional 55+25 plus a possible extra 150+50)
• E & P Strategy (55+25 plus a possible 250+75 plus unlimited XP and Gold thereafter) 

Warning: Skipping the videos will cost you a level. (i.e. Level 15=230 XP, Level 18=260 XP)

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1017: You’ve earned a workday… and a surprise.

Hint: It has something to do with fonts.

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1018: Yesterday our first player joined the dreaded Sector 666. Why? Because he left his weapon unholstered. The Wacom stylus (digital pen) was just laying next to the other input devices at his workstation. Today, at the beginning of period 3, he’ll subtract 60 minutes, 60 XP, and 60 Gold for the indiscretion.

Moral: Put your weapon away when you’re finished using it! Don’t become the second member of Sector 666.

Update: Sector 666 has it’s second member.

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1019: Visitor, the Boss has a few videos for you today. Quest on until the lights flash.

Spam: Many players are complaining about getting spammed with invites. Groups that continue to spam will discover that their groups no longer exist. No spam in the Mac Lab! (That goes for repeated friend requests too.)

Guild Recruiting: Read this page.

MLSS: No Mac Lab Saturday School™ this weekend. Next MLSS is 1027.

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