Introduction:
Jean-Baptiste Ravin de Courville with 28 years of age.
The Humanist Gentlemen, commonly referred to simply as the "Gentlemen", are anomalous transhumanists whose goal is to improve the human condition through the use of anomalies. They consider anomalies a natural process, and that it is the duty of mankind to adapt to them. This evolution towards an anomalous humanity is facilitated by the creation of anomalies, and their utilization is being developed under the alias "The Better Men".
The Humanist Gentlemen possess an extraordinary documented history, starting in the second half of the 18th century with the creation of the organisation by Jean-Bapstiste Ravin de Courville and the Baron d'Holbach. Furthermore, the organisation may have enacted a certain influence in the French politics, notoriously during the French Revolution.
From the simplistic group for philosophical humanist pondering that it was during its infancy, it has developed and expanded enough to be considered a fundamental piece of France's anomalous world. The Gentlemen think of themselves as a modern continuation of the movement known as the Enlightenment, arguing that since the fundamental rights of mankind were acquired through this mentioned movement, the "neo-enlighteners" must acquire the fundamental rights of anomalous men. The Gentlemen are mainly present in France, but they also mark their presence in the United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, Austria, the Netherlands, Italy, and Spain, and anecdotally in Eastern Europe. Its relatively small size limits the organisation's action capabilities, while facilitating its concealment from the eyes of the Foundation.
Internal Functioning:
The Gentlemen's organisation is seemingly divided into three main strata:
- The "Network", comprised extensively of civilian informants, uniquely present in metropolitan France. They allow the Gentlemen to keep track of the movements of other organisations, and to locate anomalies. Networks informants are treated on a case-by-case basis. While some do not know who their employers are, others are offered apprenticeship after a period of time.
- "Apprentices" are the disciples of the Gentlemen, who teach them anomalous sciences and the philosophical doctrine of the organisation, including through "field" missions. Every Apprentice is supposed to become a Gentleman one day.
- The Gentlemen, in their own accord. They form the head of the organisation: they take an oath, receive "The Three Gifts", adopt a new name, receive a private residence, funding, and the responsibility of raising one or more apprentices. The Gentlemen possess enormous freedom within the organisation, seemingly able to act independently as long as their researches do not deviate from the guidelines established by the Assembly. Thus, a certain number of Gentlemen only research, and are accompanied by their apprentices in their private residences, while others attend retreats or clubs. It is estimated that the number of their members does not exceed a thousand.
The Gentlemen's organization seems to lack institutionalization, which its only administrative body being the "Humanist Assembly". This body would meet with an indeterminate frequency to arrange the organisation's guidelines, as well as the funding granted to each Gentleman. The organisation seems primarily based on a form of meritocracy.
Funding:
The Gentlemen's stable funding is provided by a membership fee that every full-fledged Gentleman must pay. The money is then combined and redistributed amongst the Gentlemen according to their individual merits and necessities. However, the organisation is also supported by donations from its wealthiest members; it indeed seems that many wealthy families have been historically involved with the organisation. It also seems that unidentified patrons pertaining to the same interests that the Gentlemen pursue also contribute to the cause. Finally, certain anomalies have been created with the sole intent of being sold through the intermediary of Marshall, Carter and Dark Ltd., a group frequented by several Gentlemen.
Activities:
«Merleau, Da Lozzo, de Bellegarde, de Montieu and Ponty travelling to the Assembly of June, 1st.»
The main activities of the Gentlemen are centered around the research of the anomalous, particularly the theory of singularity bridges, and the creation of anomalies likely to improve upon the human condition. Several Gentlemen also practice philosophy applied to the anomalous.
Different policies frame the activities of the Gentlemen. Although some of these remain largely unknown to the Foundation, three of these policies can be cited:
- The "Nova Gloria" (New Glory), which is the structural pillar for the Gentlemen's activities. It concerns the creation of anomalies aimed at improving the human condition, directly or indirectly, or understanding human mechanisms in order to influence their characteristics. According to the Gentlemen's philosophy, acquiring the "New Glory" is analogous to making man anomalous by their nature.
- The politic of "Renovatio Pulchritati" (Restoration of what is Beautiful) in order to create "the art of the Better Men". This involves financing anartists (anomalous artists) to create artistic anaesthetical (anomalous aesthetics) works, turning the Gentlemen into important patrons for the development of anomalous arts.
- The "Hominum" (The Men), an originally non-anomalous politic. Eponymously, the Gentlemen promote Humanitarian missions in the benefit of, but not only, populations oppressed by authoritarian government regimes, notoriously when they wish to gain control of an anomaly. This group of interest supposedly works to combat this kind of regime, despite the fact that no concrete evidence of their involvement can be found.
The Gentlemen, however, consider these politics as guidelines rather than dogmatic contracts.
Proselytism to humanist and transhumanist causes occur exclusively through the publication of scientific and philosophical studies. In order to recruit new members, the Gentlemen use the "Network" to locate new potential Apprentices, preferring an individual approach. Nevertheless, the Gentlemen occasionally approach members of other organisations, including the Foundation, to convert them to a new cause, especially due to their knowledge about the anomalous. The Foundation strongly encourages personnel to denounce anyone suspected to have ties or allegiances with the Humanist Gentlemen.
The Gentlemen are extremely discreet, and collecting information regarding their organisation is indubitably difficult. They seem to possess a tremendous amount of mastery, and control over memetic effects, which are utilized to transmit coded information.
Relationship with the Foundation:
The Gentlemen are not directly hostile with the Foundation, having expressed their respect to the Foundation and its success multiple times; however, the Gentlemen claim that the two organisations ideologies are "irreconcilable". The Gentlemen consider anomalies as a natural process that is futile, and dangerous to resist, contrasting with the Foundation's policy of containing even the most harmless anomalies. It is due to that reason, and the fact that the Gentlemen are conscious of their small size and force when compared to the Foundation, that they do not display open hostility except when they have interests at stake.
A note from Carole Piotrowski, commander of the Mobile Task Force Tau-3 "King's Regiment":
It is certainly difficult to explain the results of becoming a transhumanist anomaly. Well, let's just say that the results became very clear when a Gentleman that shouldn't weight more than sixty kilos took down two of my team's agents before he was restrained.
It is true that The Gentlemen are close to being assimilated to their ideal of The Better Men. Any interaction with them on these grounds are sufficient to make you realise it. No, they are not supermen: restraining a Gentlemen isn't simple, but it is not an impossible task for the MTF agents. But each Gentlemen is more strong, intelligent, and skilled when compared to common men. A useful set of augmentations if they weren't opposed to physical confrontation. But these enhancements allow them to become excellent multidisciplinary philosophers, and scientists, akin to those that existed between the 19th, and 20th century before the sciences developed to a complex state that required individuals to specialize in certain subjects. This characteristic makes the Gentlemen competent in many scholarly fields, giving them that "retro" aura they cultivate so much. The Gentlemen adore referencing the past, predominantly their time of glory, and their organisation derives a unique form of pleasure from it.
This tendency isn't something new. Since the creation of the organisation, de Courville nominated his colleagues as « Gentlemen » for the simply irony derivated from it. They criticized the nobility but borrowed its codes; citing de Courville, they were "Gentlemen of spirit, but not of the title". The organisation's care for symbolism is very strong: their motto is a biblical expression, and many of their idioms come from the Ancient Regime despite their fervent republicanism. The Gentlemen understand "the importance of aesthetics"; they know how form can help to appreciate a substance, and they proclaim that such a bias is very useful.
Note from Dr. Valbeaugris, member of the MTF Tau-3 "King's Regiment" and the director of the Department of Fundamental Theories in Site Aleph:
They call it "quantic optimism".
Putting it simply, in quantum physics, whether or not a human observer watches an experiment, its outcome can be modified. This is because of a certain characteristic present in quantum systems, that determines that it can be at several states at once, and the observation of that system fixates it into a single, random state. How consciousness can affect physical reality remains a mystery widely debated in the scientific sphere, but that is not the question. Due to this "quantum observer" phenomenon, we can affirm that human consciousness influences reality. From this point, to say that a man can influence reality with his mind there is a fine border which the Gentlemen cross with liberty.
From that point, the Gentlemen affirm that being optimistic, that thinking about the success of what we want to accomplish, we are capable of influencing reality in a positive manner. Evidently, it doesn't mean resting on the bed thinking about success and waiting for reality to conform to it, and work for us. No, the success is a byproduct of work, and for the Gentlemen, working on yourself is equally as necessary as physical achievements. But I will give you an example.
During the 18th century, namely when the organisation was created, the Gentlemen had all the reasons to be optimistic: they had great influence, a keen interest for humanist philosophies, and sciences, and a crescent rejection of the monarchy. That optimism had no reason to disappear after the Revolution in 1789, it was sublimated by the republican fervour, and the drafting of The Declaration of the Rights of the Man and of the Citizen. These were the glorious days of the Gentlemen, although many would describe the following events as a descent into hell, the Gentlemen never gave up on their optimism. And even after the grand schism of the Consulate, and of the Empire, the loss of the head of the organisation at the end of the aforementioned event, the failure of the Restoration, the loss of political support, other attempts at restorations, another Empire, dozens of invasions at the national territory, and the decline of the interest for the humanist philosophies, the Gentlemen are still here.
Do you see from my point of view? How can someone believe that this idea of quantum optimism is just some fantastical philosophy? How can we not see it as the source for their survival in these desperate moments? The doubt; it is the most powerful weapon that the Gentlemen possess. Your rationality may try to find another explanation, a fact or two that you may have forgotten to account while articulating a logical answer, and the answer you'll formulate is credited entirely to you. But the doubt will never leave; you'll say "No, let's be real, that's not really possible… but nevertheless…"
And this doubt concerns only quantum optimism. Imagine having to question your whole system of thought, which you have built step by step through your successes and failures. Imagine everything that has built, and defined you being swept away by a sweet, and calm breeze. We lost Foundation staff that way. It may take years, but this doubt that the Gentlemen instil in you is something incurable.
And the members of the MTF Tau 3 under psychological care can testify to that.
Note by Dr. Sarah Bonnassieux, psychologist and sociologist responsible for studies regarding the GoI:
Drawing a psychological profile of the Gentlemen is very complicated. They are men and women whose only point in common is their obsession for and faith in the progress of the human race. Although the lower social, and professional categories seem to not be represented in any base by their organisation, the Gentlemen seem to arise from almost every way of life, there seems to exist a classic pattern leading to the integration of new members into the ranks of the Gentlemen.
You know, the prevailing pessimistic tendency of saying that "it was better before" didn't spare any era, as evidenced by Socrates: "Young people today love luxury; they are badly behaved, despise authority, have no respect for their elders, and talk rather than work.". But the twenty-first century is the only one enjoying such a rapid development, and globalized means of communication, making the sentiment omnipresent. When faced with this, some utilize the cynicism, or pessimism, spreading this idea easily through the means of communication. The Gentlemen have an answer to this trend, although the primary triggers for it remain unknown, most Gentlemen, and their Apprentices, have experienced an exasperation of this globalized pessimistic phenomenon. This exasperation could only intensify, as humanism quickly got out of fashion due to the ecological crises, and other disasters of human origin until it finally couldn't be ignored any longer. This humanistic frustration had to be expressed at this stage, and it is when the Gentlemen finally get in contact with individuals. The humanism of the latter is generally a stronger feeling due to this important period of frustration. Moreover, this progressive integration with anomalies, which the Gentlemen have mastered visibly well, generally prevents the appearance of the Filbuson's Syndrome, catalyzing that interest, and fascination with the anomalous.
After this stage, it is not hard for the Gentlemen to literally convince an individual. Their entire philosophy, and I speak of true philosophy that is codified in several works, explains methodically why humanism is the only current of legitimate thought; it is essentially an existentialist philosophy, that describes Man as a being defined by their actions in the physical world, and not some non-material "essence". Their entire philosophy is based around the notion of utility. The Gentlemen define this notion as everything that is somehow profitable to mankind, affirming, additionally, that everything that is profitable to man, is essentially good; in this definition, what is superfluous is actually useful: by giving pleasure to the man, it is profitable. This is the unique element in this philosophy with relation to a moral value.
I can give you a rigorous philosophical demonstration, but you have to understand that this concept of utility is a philosophical nuclear bomb. Determinism, of divine order, or not? God or "Nature" might very well exist but it is not useful to take into account their existence. Nihilism? Reality may very well not exist, the Gentlemen do not care, as it is not useful recognizing its lack of existence. And by affirming that the Man is the only source of progress, of happiness, of reflection, of pleasure, of all that is useful, the Gentlemen conclude that the Man is everything. Or similarly, "The Man is everything for the man", citing Alexandre de Berriot. You may as well try to debate with a Gentleman, try to make him give up his oath, torture him, or whatever.
Individuals generally give up after the twelfth time that the Gentleman repeats that what you are saying has no utility.
The Gentlemen, although known for keeping a discreet profile on the international anomalous scene, maintain strongly antagonistic relations with Groups of Interest that destroy anomalies; however, connections - sometimes of a historical nature - exist between the Gentlemen and certain organisations.
The Global Occult Coalition
Status: Hostile/Defensive.
The Gentlemen are openly hostile against The Global Occult Coalition. Although they do not attack the organisation directly due to the difference in capabilities, they have repeatedly disrupted the GOC's operations in order to preserve SCP objects from getting destroyed. The Gentlemen condemn vehemently their politics regarding the destruction of anomalous objects, judging it as "irresponsible", and "dangerous".
The Gentlemen have been placed under an arrest warranty by the Global Occult Coalition, being described as a significant menace to what is normal. Historically, the Gentlemen have always considered the Council of 108 as an illegitimate organisation due to the council's inexperience in the field, since they were created shortly after The Second World War while the Humanist Gentlemen originated in the 18th century.
SAPHIR
Status: Hostile/Concurring.
Representing the two major acting organisations in the French anomalous world, the Gentlemen and SAPHIR do not hide their opposition. This can be explained by the obvious ideological differences between the two, and their antagonistic methods; the Gentlemen condemn violence and terrorism, and SAPHIR condemns inaction. This competition can also be explained by how their recruitment converges into the scientific demographic.
This historical opposition originates in the 18th century, when both organisations were one and the same. The ideological differences between the two movements within the organisation during the Age of Terror split Baron d'Holbach's atheistic followers from the transhumanists of Jean-Baptiste Ravin de Courville.
Marshall, Carter and Dark Ltd.
Status: Amicable/Cooperative.
The Gentlemen and Marshall, Carter and Dark seem to possess a privileged relationship when it comes to anomalous objects. The two organisations exchange information from their respective networks, in addition to sharing many members. Moreover, the Gentlemen appear to have the habit of selling anomalous objects to the London-based organisation to finance their operations.
The cooperation between the two organisations is historical, starting from their first transaction in the 19th century, that although executed due to necessity, allowed the two organisations to weave strong ties with one another.
The Serpent's Hand
Status: Unknown.
The relations between the Serpent's Hand, and the Gentlemen remain extremely vague, due to the discretion of both organisations. However, due to their ideological convergence, they do not ignore each other, as seen by how their relations alternate between conflicting, and cooperative. The question of anomalous individuals seems to be the binding point between these two organisations, as both of them want to acquire the fundamental rights thereof to protect them.
There seem to exist historical connections of an indeterminate nature between the two organisations.
Sarkic Cults
Status: Hostile/Active.
Although the Gentlemen are normally moderate, they seem to consider the Sarkic Cults an abomination, since the Sarkic beliefs are contrary to the humanistic views of the Gentlemen, and clearly opposed to their idea of "the Beautiful, the Good, and the Truth". They consider the modifications that adepts of Sarkicism undergo as a perversion of Man and an abandonment of the human condition. For these reasons, the Gentlemen are very hostile towards the Sarkic Cults, and seem to want their complete elimination.
Some Gentlemen have seemingly dedicated their entire lives to the eradication of the Sarkic Cults.
The anomalous religions
Status: Inimical/Variable.
The Gentlemen are not fundamentally hostile towards the anomalous religions, instead, they combat any type of thought that poses the Man as subjected to a higher power. They do not fight any more anomalous religions than they fight non-anomalous religions, the Gentlemen engage in ideological, and philosophical battles against all cults that cultivate thoughts that undermine the individuality of men and their fundamental rights.
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