The Sacred Chao Te Ching

[Cuddlefish]

One poo-stencil, coming your way!

[Luna]

Hrm.  Maybe borders around each page?  Can play with images in the borders...

[Cramulus]

In editing and designing this thing we made a lot of choices. Part of it was that we did want to establish a certain resonance with the Tao Te Ching - after all, the original manuscript was written by reinterpreting the TTC chapter by chapter. (we've diverged a bit since then)


In this edition, one of the design goals was to make it look like a copy of the Tao Te Ching. IMO that the juxtaposition of modern discordia and ancient china is pretty unique ... we're not presenting a Taoist text, we're presenting a new discordian text dressed up like an ancient chinese book of wisdom. I feel that this particular style of text is meant to be read slowly. Contemplated. Digested. And this is served by having a clean page with lots of white space.





anyway, that's our present reasoning.. Feedback is much appreciated though.

[Cramulus]

chapter 70, for example, comes out best if the book is completely straight-faced

[Captain Utopia]

why add distraction?

This bugs me. First, do you get distracted easily by pretty pictures or something?

Yes.

That said, I like the scrolls which Cram has been making, but only because they look really nice.  I wouldn't study from them, you know?  There aren't many words in the CTC - those which are there have been carefully selected and (I guess) sweated over for a couple of years.  You add a picture in there - especially something which will mean something different to different people, and all of a sudden what's the point?  Either the message you're communicating is no longer yours, or you're reinforcing a singular interpretation.

Second, umm, it's a Discordian piece.

So it should be extra really real Discordian?

I'm more excited about new definitions than reliving old ones.

Sorry, not trying to be confrontational (well, not in a combatative sense, anyhow), just sayin'

Seriously, tho, like I said, it doesn't really matter to me.

No worries!  It's a discordian thread

[Cuddlefish]

In editing and designing this thing we made a lot of choices. Part of it was that we did want to establish a certain resonance with the Tao Te Ching - after all, the original manuscript was written by reinterpreting the TTC chapter by chapter. (we've diverged a bit since then)


In this edition, one of the design goals was to make it look like a copy of the Tao Te Ching. IMO that the juxtaposition of modern discordia and ancient china is pretty unique ... we're not presenting a Taoist text, we're presenting a new discordian text dressed up like an ancient chinese book of wisdom. I feel that this particular style of text is meant to be read slowly. Contemplated. Digested. And this is served by having a clean page with lots of white space.





anyway, that's our present reasoning.. Feedback is much appreciated though.

No worries. It makes sense to me. I just got a little PO'ed because it seemed to me that FP was (purposely?) mis-interpreting what I said. It wouldn't be the first time he's done that to somebody. Maybe I'm just being defensive. A thousand pardons.

[Requia ☣]

For the purpose of doing a modest self print run for hiding around the city, whats the largest 'chapter' of the Chao Te Ching (I don't want any of them to take up more than one page on this).

[LMNO]

Either 20 or 31.

[LMNO]

So, here's the thing: If we include pictures and graphics, I would like to really spend time on them, and make sure the attitude and spirit of each chapter is reflected.  If we just threw a bunch of clip art in without thinking about it, I feel that would detract from the whole.

[Cuddlefish]

So, here's the thing: If we include pictures and graphics, I would like to really spend time on them, and make sure the attitude and spirit of each chapter is reflected.  If we just threw a bunch of clip art in without thinking about it, I feel that would detract from the whole.

Absolutely. I couldn't agree more. Though, at a second glance, the arguments for and against images are both equally valid, IMO. Maybe adding pictures will just create more work to be done. On the other hand, the appropriate selection of images can hieghten the experience. IF pictures go in, I think it would be easiest to try and determine what type of layout you would want to use first. Every chapter has a picture? Only the "important" chapters get pictures? Maybe a page every once in a while that is ONLY a picture? Once that is determined, then people can start generating images in regards to the determined layout or style.

[LMNO]

I'm starting to get a bit out of my depth when it comes to graphics and layout, so I can't speak to what would be best.  I can only say that if there are images, we should try to spend at least as much time with them as we did with the words.

[Telarus]

Graphics I can definitely help with.

I actually agree with both opinions here.

Have a compiled version that is simple, maybe 1-2 intro illustrations (B&W, similar to the 'zenarchy' scribbles.. I have some good b&w aikido art that I could to a 'version' of)..... then just verse and white pages.



Then, have another version that are just single verses juxtaposed with well thought out art. Make sure each 'page' stands on it own.

You could then split them up for PosterGASM, hide them places, and each would stand individually (and have a reference to the main work, probably a URL somewhere).

I still haven't read through it all the way, due to school work crunch (I have to design a playable RPG level in a week, in the Unreal3 engine as my midterm).

But the Art.. I want in on the Art for this piece.

[Luna]

I still haven't read through it all the way, due to school work crunch (I have to design a playable RPG level in a week, in the Unreal3 engine as my midterm).

That's an ASSIGNMENT?

[Telarus]

Note for the "each page stands on it's own" concept.

Incorporate the Misattributed Quotes game, or similar Image/Memebomb combination, that tie into the verse.

Also that poster that floated up which had "tear off tags" with options and then something written on the back of them.

[Telarus]

I still haven't read through it all the way, due to school work crunch (I have to design a playable RPG level in a week, in the Unreal3 engine as my midterm).

That's an ASSIGNMENT?

I've had problems with the Unreal Dev Kit for a few weeks. I'm about a week behind the class (which means I have an empty level, no textures, props or Kismet-Scripting for events). It's fun to drive the vehicles around on tho.

The specs aren't really as bad as it sounds, I only need to use 1 imported 3d object/texture and have 3 scripted actions/events. There's quote a few environment props and textures in the package. But I'm aiming a bit higher, and trying to make the Unreal terrain system my bitch.

I'm re-creating the village of Hom from Gygax's T1 -Into the Moathouse adventure (for personal use).

Anyway, done spagging the thread up. We can talk about that in Bring&Brag or RPG Ghetto.