X-Oriente

Jason & Eric discuss science fiction and Masonry as we review "If This Goes On" by Robert Heinlein.

Eric and Jason are joined by special guest Jon Ruark of the Masonic Roundtable to critique John Wm. McNaughton's (Recently retired SGC of the Scottish Rite, NMJ) recent book, Reclaiming the Soul of Freemasonry.

In this episode Jason and Eric discuss the dark side of social media and Facebook, and why it seems so hard to have a civil discussion on Facebook, and why social media is no substitute for lodge.

In this episode, Jason and Eric talk about the apps and technologies they find useful in Masonry.

Eric also talks to Jeremy Barnes and Michael Radigan, founders of the firm Copiri, which has developed Amity, a new app that helps Freemasons around the world travel and connect with each other in safety.

To download Amity and sign up, visit you local app store:

If you use iOS, go here.

If you use Android, go here.

For more information, visit Copiri.

Special thanks to Michael and Jeremy.

Jason and Eric talk about Masonic identity and what Masonry feels like.

Jason and Eric discuss their experiences with Masonic conferences. It's not about the program, it is about the people you meet there. They also propose a new type of conference for Masonic Week.

Please visit our Patreon Page and consider becoming an Xecutive Producer. It helps keep the show going and it helps us bring new and better Masonic experiences to you.

In this episode, Jason and Eric discuss a foundational aspect of Freemasonry: trust. What it is, why it is important and how it relates to honor.

Eric referenced items from Honor: a History, by James Bowman

The events in Charlottesville were disturbing. I thins episode, Jason and Eric talk about an op-ed in the New York times on the perils of identity politics, an editorial warning about the unintentional dangers of Google and Facebook, and a speech on Masonry that is as fresh today as the day it was originally given. Full show notes at xoriente.com

Here are the links to the editorials:

Google Doesn't Want What's Best for Us

I'm a White Man. Hear Me Out.

In this episode we talk about some craziness in fake news (the real fake news, not the fake fake news) and an article on Elitism penned by Bro. Nick Johnson of the Millennial Freemason. Complete details and show notes at xoriente.com

The show so good we did it twice! Well in truth we had tech issues last week that prevented us from completing the show, but we fixed them!

In this episode, Jason and Eric count down our top 10 Masonic movies. Now unlike other Masonic movie lists, we wanted to find films that didn't necessarily contain direct Masonic references (like National Treasure), but we wanted to find films that reflected Masonic ideas, themes and values. Special thanks to the guys at Oriental for their recommendations. Special thanks to the guys at Oriental for their recommendations. Also, special thanks to my wife, Fran Diamond, for helping me find the clips.

Our choices:

10. The Matrix

9. The Grand Budapest Hotel

8. A Face In the Crowd

7. The Fountain

6. Spartacus

5. The Seven Samurai

4. Star Wars (Episode 4)

3. Master & Commander

2. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

1. Henry V

Links to all the clips can be found in the show notes at www.xoriente.com.

NOTE: The clips contained in this episode are included and intended for commentary and critique, and represent fair use under generally accepted copyright law. But we're not lawyers.