Modern-Day Masons: 'Chic'?

The masons are back. After decades of dwindling membership, the world’s most open secret society is enjoying a renaissance—mostly because it’s become less secretive. Freemasons are forbidden from seeking new members, but their rules say nothing about websites: Thanks to Internet publicity, more men are signing up, and they’re younger and hipper to boot, the Los Angeles Times reports.

“There is so much information on the Internet,” said California’s top mason. “By the time someone comes to a lodge, they already know a lot.” One tattoo artist said he joined up just to find “people to hang with.” Now, he’s on his way to becoming his lodge’s first black master. “I think it's going to become hip and chic to be a Mason,” he predicts. (More Freemason stories.)