May 26, 2021 – Minutes of Emergency Meeting of Thin Air Collective

May 26, 2021

Workroom of the Library of the IMIR

Minutes of the Emergency Meeting of Thin Air Collective (a pdf is available below)

Attendees: Marianne Neill, Arthur Mot

Regrets: Ami Deschens, Francis Sifton

Old Business:

None

New Business:

1. Index to “The Record”:

Marianne reported that she had had a chance to work on the Index to “The Record” (publication in 2021) during the storm.  She expects it will be completed in the next week or two.

2. Silent Reading: This event was to have taken place on May 19^th but was postponed due to the storm. It will now have to wait until the damage can be repaired.

3. Repairs: Damage from the storm will be repaired by Marianne and Arthur Mot as soon as possible. The Moon Light will present the greatest challenge.  A Decision as to what is to be done about the graffiti will be moved to the next agenda, as the graffiti needs to be studied and discussed.

4. Mot’s trip report:

Mot reported that his travels had been interrupted by the turbulent weather.  While he travels regularly, this trip had had an unusual purpose to bring a travelling device to another institute in much need of help. The trip had gone as planned until it was cut short by reports of the immanent storm.  Mot tried to leave before the weather system arrived but found himself above the clouds and unable to descend until it was over.  There were some stressful hours. However, he was able to photograph the region above, and brought back some images that will be discussed in the next agenda item.

5. Graffiti left on the floor of the Library during the storm:

Marianne reported that, following the storm, upon surveying the damage, she had discovered dishevelment and damage, but there was also an unusual graffiti mark left on the floor at the base of the stair. This needs to be discussed, as it is extremely concerning.  Marianne has suggested that the following be considered:

a. The mark is accidental.

b. The mark was intentionally left by the visitor. If so, does it have meaning?

c. The mark was intentionally left by another agent. If so, does it have meaning?

d. The mark was not left by any known agent, but still has meaning.

Summary of Discussion:

Mot presented his final photo of the region above the storm (see below). He pointed out that one of the cloud formations had taken the shape of an ‘X’ just as he was passing by.  Because this is an unusual formation, he feels the chances that it would occur simultaneously with the appearance of the ‘X’ on the floor of the Library — AND that each appearance of the ‘X’ would be witnessed by the only two individuals working in the Library at this time — is so slim that it would have to be regarded as a synchronous event. This suggests to him that the appearance likely has meaning and is not random or meaningless.

Motion (moved by Mot, seconded by Neill): That the ‘X’ on the floor of the Library be regarded as a meaningful event, and that the next item of business be to understand what it might mean.

Carried.

6. Meaning of the graffiti found on the floor of the Library after the Storm:

Summary of Discussion:

Marianne pointed out that the ‘X’ recurs in “The Record” and could mean either “origin/idea” or “danger”.  It was agreed that whether the graffiti was delivered by a known or unknown entity, it made sense that it would employ a symbol that was known to the denizens of the Library.

Mot suggested that we proceed by supposing the ‘X” had one or both meanings and see where this takes us. We concluded that regardless of whether the “X” had the meaning of “origin/idea” or “danger”, we must take this as an indication that we need to consider change.  The IMIR may need to undergo a process of reflection and transformation at this juncture.

Motion (moved by Neill, seconded by Mot}: That a process of reflection be undertaken, to be reported in a meeting one week from today. 

Carried.

7. Motion to Adjourn (moved by Mot, seconded by Neill): That the meeting be adjourned on time.

Carried.