Starting Secret Societies

What is involved in starting a secret society? I assume most secret societies aren't all that successful. How can some become powerful, successful groups. What does it take to start a successful secret society? Anyone know of any good books on the topic?

Read Machiavelli's "The Prince" and a non-bastardized version of Sun Tzu's "Art of War".

I think the key to success in most cases is, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. And there are enough secret societies as it is!

Actually, you could have the first secret society that admittedly exists to serve itself.

Originally posted by crontab
What does it take to start a successful secret society?

I imagine the first step would be to actually have a secret.

[edit on 1-3-2005 by senrak]

The second step is to get some funny hats.

Ahhhhh!

Already the veiling starts... to protect the secret by constructing an elaborate system of regalia and "millinery", thus rendering the devotees of the secret fit for ridicule by the uninitiated, and burying the bone deeper and deeper.

Originally posted by Cug
The second step is to get some funny hats.

That's true. Nothing binds people together like funny hats!

Originally posted by crontab
What is involved in starting a secret society? I assume most secret societies aren't all that successful. How can some become powerful, successful groups. What does it take to start a successful secret society? Anyone know of any good books on the topic?

A secret society is truly a secret society ONLY when it has something to conceal, a purpose for being secret, if you will. So, like Senrak said, you need a secret, a purpose. If you just want to start a fraternity, then don't call yourself a "secret society".

Even with that done, a secret society's aim is never tyo "grow large and powerful". On the contrary, the aim of a truly secret society would be to stay small and unnoticeable. The more people that join, the more chances you take on someone selling you out.

Originally posted by sebatwerk
The more people that join, the more chances you take on someone selling you out.

Plus you just have to buy that many more hats.

Oh and don't forget a secret handshake. Or two. Or three.

sebatwerk, wouldnt the goal for numbers depend largely on the specific goal? I mean, if you had a secret society that's purpose was enacting a physical revolution you would need numbers. gonna be hard for 20 guys to take on any modern military.

youre also going to need a good connection for really cheap beer!

Originally posted by metalmessiah
sebatwerk, wouldnt the goal for numbers depend largely on the specific goal? I mean, if you had a secret society that's purpose was enacting a physical revolution you would need numbers. gonna be hard for 20 guys to take on any modern military.

youre also going to need a good connection for really cheap beer!

Right, that's true. In the book Born in Blood, the author theorised that Freemasonry was actually a secret society started with the purpose of helping outlaws of the church escape persecution. In that case, I guess the goal would be to help AS MANY people as possible. While his theory is not likely, you gotta admit that it would be VERY hard to keep something like that secret for so long. Every time someone comes along, you run the risk of getting busted. According to the author, that's how masonry's code of secrecy developed into what it is.

I still think that MOST secret societies purposely try to remain tight-knit and have a very restrictive policy for accepting new candidates.

Originally posted by metalmessiah
youre also going to need a good connection for really cheap beer!

Who in the world would want "cheap" beer? Only the best! Guinness.

Who in the world would want "cheap" beer? Only the best! Guinness.

What no killians?

I do agree to an extent that the membership be limeted depending on the goal in mind but the most important part of that would be a selective screening process. The more you know about the people who your are contemplating initiating, or however you want to refer to it, the easier it is to choose members that wont blow your "cover" for lack of a better word. And bear in mind that it takes a very long time to form a reliable network of individuals. And funny hats are VERY important.

BTW sebatwerk i believe your signature is misscredited. I allways was told that quate was attributed to mark twain not honest abe

The secret is.......

that's the only beer to drink!!!!!!!!!

You say you have to have a secret. Does the secret have to be interesting, or is it better if the secret is some bull# philsophy? Is advantageous for the secret to believeable or is it better if the secret will only be believed by members of the secret society? I suppose creating your own in-language wouldn't hurt.

Originally posted by crontab
You say you have to have a secret. Does the secret have to be interesting, or is it better if the secret is some bullsh*t philsophy? Is advantageous for the secret to believeable or is it better if the secret will only be believed by members of the secret society? I suppose creating your own in-language wouldn't hurt.

Up to you. It's is YOUR secret society. I'm not starting one, just answering HOW to start one.

In reality, I don't imagine ANY of the founders of the true Secret Societies (who's existence cannot be proven...otherwise they're NON-Secret Societies) ever said "Hey guys! Let's start a Secret Society! I've got a great secret that we'll keep to ourselves"

C'mon folks. What a ridiculous thread. Isn't there someone more creative out there?

[edit on 2-3-2005 by senrak]

Originally posted by zombiemann
BTW sebatwerk i believe your signature is misscredited. I allways was told that quate was attributed to mark twain not honest abe

Is that right? I got this from www.famousquotes.me.uk...

Originally posted by senrak

Originally posted by metalmessiah
youre also going to need a good connection for really cheap beer!

Who in the world would want "cheap" beer? Only the best! Guinness.

I didnt mean cheap beer as in the type (natural light), I meant comparatively inexpensive. nothing wrong with getting a good deal on whatever brand you like. I dont like to discriminate when it comes to beer but my personal preference would have to be Budweiser.

Originally posted by senrak

Originally posted by crontab
What does it take to start a successful secret society?

I imagine the first step would be to actually have a secret.

[edit on 1-3-2005 by senrak]

That "secret" could be that you dont have one

^^^Yeah, but this has been done to death already.

You need only look on this board to realize every Secret Society has used the gimmick that they have no secrets, and are not in fact a secret society.

so true, my so called secret fraternity has really no important secrets at all we just hide everything better than other fraternities. Heineken is the best beer everm would have to give red stripe a close 2nd