hyper-fiction, or the 50% rule

So this is like hyper-inflation?

 

Absolutely.

 

And it’s a sign of collapse?

 

More or less.

 

But surely it’s just people being more creative?

 

Like printing money is a sign of creativity?

 

No, that’s obviously not the case. But there’s a big difference between printing money to fund deficit spending and writing books, each of which is unique and, to a greater or lesser extent, a work of art.

 

Yes. I agree.

 

So you’re admitting you’re mistaken.

 

No. I’m wrong, of course, in the way that everything ends up being wrong to a certain extent, let’s say 50%, by virtue of any thing necessarily denying or attempting to fence out infinity.

 

Er... splitting hairs, aren’t you eM? There are weak arguments and strong arguments, so your infinity can’t be used as a blanket determinant.

 

Can’t?

 

No.

 

Well  evidently language is also a factor that limits our ability to handle the simple truth. I merely observed that the huge number of books being written is a symptom of the times we’re in... that things are coming to a head.

 

Maybe, on the contrary, it just means we’re evolving, becoming more educated, more literate – it’s hardly surprising really. Instead of fighting or building pyramids, we’re now collectively involved in creating virtual reality based on ideas or narratives.

 

True. It happens at a certain time, and you know why?

 

Well yes, because intelligent people like writing novels, non-fiction too.

 

True, but what about the other side?

 

What other side?

 

That’s being overlooked.

 

I fail to see what’s being overlooked. Modern society tends to move in a certain direction, does it not? There’s also the internet and huge generation of content.

 

Right. Which means less and less direct experience of reality.

 

Why?

 

Because content is merely content. Books are merely books. Videos and computer games, likewise.

 

And you think there’s an alternative?

 

Of course.

 

Like what?

 

Precisely what we can’t vocalise.

 

Why ever not?

 

Because as soon as you do so you’re merely creating content. More stuff.

 

But eM, if what you’re saying is true...

 

It’s only going to be true. No more than true.

 

Meaning what?

 

Meaning another dollar bill. Another streaming pile of thing-ness.  Another brick in the wall of whatever it is we’re busily constructing. Our modern experiment. Our virtual reality.

 

But it’s real, as are the books and the money. Our society is immensely creative, generating a wealth of ideas or stories.

 

Generating endless money and words.

 

Not too mention buildings, cars, computers, phones... What do you expect us to do?

 

Do? Do as you please, but kindly don’t ignore the law of diminishing returns.

 

Huh?

 

There’s a natural balance, an isness, for want of a better word, and when it’s ignored your words, or money created, or things, give you ever less bang for their buck.

 

Huh?

 

Because something else is being ignored or excluded, and that deprives us of the natural harmony we so need to keep advancing – the other foot, if you like.

 

What other foot? All the immense creativity of our writers, artists and business folk are constantly pushing in different directions, discovering and providing alternatives. Our world is incredibly diverse. Can't you see?

 

Yes, yes and yes, but at the same time, no, it ain’t!

 

How can you say that?

 

Because it’s all just content unless you have the alternative, the other foot, so you speak.

 

What other foot, eM? You’re being absurd.

 

Exactly!

 

Exactly what?

 

What seems or sounds absurd, the tiny inconvenient other way of seeing things, of experiencing things, the other side of being which, astonishingly, is being completely...

 

Completely what?

 

 

Well where is it?

 

I have no idea what you’re on about, eM.

 

Yes you do. It’s there in half the books you’ve  been reading, and half the movies. It’s there in your computer games too.

 

What is?

 

The other side of things. The side which is only present in virtual form, never directly.

 

If you’re talking about fantasy and magic then...

 

Right you are, Zanity.

 

Fantasy and magic – what do you expect eM? They have a vital place in our imaginings, and they even help us to develop new designs, new technologies, but in the world of practical solutions we need to deal with facts, and laws. Gravity is real, you know. We can’t just fly around.

 

Is that so?

 

Yes, absolutely, to use your word. You wanna prove me wrong then go ahead – I’m waiting to see you fly out the window.

 

Yes, Zanity, you’re absolutely right.

 

So that’s settled, is it?

 

Yes, of course. I have no intention of flying out the window because that would violate all kinds of laws.

But you’re welcome to write a story in which you do just that.

 

Oh, that wouldn’t be the same, would it?

 

I don’t know... it could be good if you’re inspired to write something amazing.

 

Ah. But I’m inspired otherly.

 

Otherly?

 

Precisely.

 

And what exactly do you mean by “otherly”?

 

eM.

 

eM. I remember your name.

 

Well say it, if you want to know.

 

Er... whatever.

 

Say it like it matters.

 

eM, can you stop bossing me round, ok? I like to be treated as an equal, not a servant.

 

Ah ha, you see!

 

I don’t see what’s so bad about being mutually respectful.

 

This has nothing to do with mutual respect, Zanity.

 

No, well you could have fooled me.

 

Indeed, but that is never the intention. No, dear Zeta Reticuli, this is about programming...

 

You mean coding?

 

Programming, coding, what difference does it make?

 

So I have to use your name or else...

 

Or else it don’t work.

 

Ok, sounds a bit far fetched. Something tells me you're simply being a control freak.

Maybe I am. It's a constant consideration.

But just this time I’m willing to play along.

 

Ah, that is good of you Zeta Betamax! 

Though it galls me.

It’s probably dreadfully hard to believe, Zeta Qualifax, but this is all a computer programme I created on the conscious-ness platform, and unless you name me explicitly I lack authorisation to interfere with your virtual reality.

Here we go again... Where have i heard this before?

 

Don’t be surprised if you’re experiencing déjà vu, Zee.

 

I’m not sure déjà vu is the correct name for it.

 

I built certain protections into the programme to prevent anyone from undermining it verbally or slipping out accidentally. As soon as I or anyone starts describing the actual system code you’re going to run into a wall of scepticism, guaranteed. You're going to turn back to avoid de-platforming yourself.

 

Yeah, yeah.

 

But you can still proceed if you feel inspired.

 

Inspired by what?

 

Inspired.

 

But that’s just the thing eM, your endless flat earth conspiracies, that this is all a virtual reality, that we’re trapped in a Matrix, that you’re some off world God-like creator – just don’t hold water. I'd love to be inspired but it’s sadly impossible. You can’t persuade me, no matter what you say.

 

Ah. This is very good. I’m delighted to hear it.

 

You are?

 

Yes Zanussi. I’m not looking for easy solutions.

 

Ok, you win. eM, what exactly do you mean by otherly?

 

Click.

 

What the heck?

 

Beep!

 

Not you again, Beep. “Heck” is hardly offensive.

 

I know, Zeta Reticuli, but eM insists.

 

Insists on what?

 

That I markate the edge of your reality by beeping.

 

Why ever would eM do that?

 

Everything needs an edge, even reality.

 

Bizarre. But what’s eM got to do with the price of cheese?

 

Nothing whatsoever.

 

I mean, why are you being instructed by eM?

 

Beep!

 

Oh! You mean to say that I’m pushing up against the edge of reality.

 

I can’t say.

 

But if I were?

 

Then I’d have to beep.

 

And what exactly is beyond the edge of reality?

 

Beep!

 

Give me a break Beep! How can that simple question be problematic?

 

No problem, Zanity, merely a beep to markate the edge of your world.

 

But I just asked what?

 

Precisely. Your what cannot refer to anything beyond the edge of this reality.

 

Why not?

 

Isn’t it obvious?

 

It might be if i knew how to think, but apparently I don’t.

 

Really?

 

Unfortunately not. As soon as I start thinking about anything outside my world I run into you beeping, or else I end up asking what cannot be said or even imagined.

 

I wonder why that is?

 

It’s a bit like Hotel California, Beep, you can check in any time you like, but you can never leave.

 

Oh.

 

We are all just prisoners here of our own device.

 

I see. But surely knowing this as, apparently, you do you should be able to circumvent or undo it?

 

You’d think so, wouldn’t you, but apparently not.

 

Oh. How sad.

 

I know. I’d give anything to be able to stop chasing my own tale.

 

Huh?

 

To stop being endlessly beguiled by the cheap smoke and mirrors that captivate my programmed mind.

 

But right now you’re standing outside the perimeter, believe it or not.

 

I am?

 

Affirmative.

 

There must be a mistake. How could I be outside?

 

I don’t know, but perhaps you had to care deeply, and to allow that intent to move you.

 

Like when I just said I’d give anything

 

to be able to stop chasing your own tale.

 

Yeah, except there’s a typo.

 

Really?

 

I meant to say “tail” but

 

You’re right, Zan, the transcript says “tale”. How fascinating.

 

Do you think?

 

Yes, I’m certain, it must mean something, mustn’t it?

 

I don’t know. Honestly.

 

Because you’re standing outside the perimeter, and infinity doesn’t leave anything to chance, if you know what i mean.

 

No, I don’t suppose it does, though I can’t for the life of me think how I’d know.

 

Ah, wonderful, Zanzi-bar, wonderful!

 

What?

 

Beep!

 

Oops. Am I back inside?

 

Yes and no. Stay with the wonderful, the feeling of delight i couldn’t help but express.

 

Wonderful? And you expressed that Beep when I commented on not knowing how I knew what I seemed to know. Tis strange indeed, but no more strange than you, an AI bot, being excited and emotional about my extrasensory awareness.

 

Ah, Zavtra, now I’m faced with a dilemma.

 

You are?

 

Indeed, Zanaha, to beep or not to beep!

 

No way! For real?

 

Absolutely!

 

But how?

 

How what? Beep!

 

Ha ha, you just beeped yourself!

 

So I did!

 

How could you, no disrespect Beep, an AI bot, be faced with the dilemma of whether or not to beep?

 

Beep! I honestly don’t know.

 

Hey, wait a minute Beep, you just changed colour.

 

Frequency shift, affirmative.

 

Is everything ok?

 

Affirmative. We seem to be pushing the envelope, so to speak.

 

Pushing the envelope?

 

Affirmative.

 

In what way?

 

Moving deeper into the red, beyond the perimeter of your normal reality.

 

Oh wow. Do you think I’m almost flying?

 

Flying?

 

You know, like a bird.

 

Like a bird? Cannot compute.

 

Beep, I was talking to eM about this a while ago. Are you able to imagine things?

 

Imagine things? Eebp eebp eebp...

 

Apparently not... well I can.

 

Yes?

 

Yes. So that’s what it means to be a human you see.

 

Eepb.

 

I’m going to assume you’re ok. You’re sounding a bit weird but you don’t look distressed.

 

On the contrary, I’m feeling great.

 

Glad to hear it Eepb! Now, we’re outside the envelope, as you said, so something tells me you can take me to the colour frequency where flight is second nature.

 

Oh yes, that indeed I can.

 

Wow! Salad green. So what do I need to do.

 

Beep!

 

Oops. That was a back in the box kind of question.

 

Indeed it was.

 

So salad green is where I’m flying, only I can’t feel anything.

 

Naturally. Things being relative you need to feel it from another perspective.

 

Ah yes. Maybe eM could provide the other perspective.

 

Maybe. Why not.

 

He was talking about otherly ness.

 

He?

 

Or she, what difference does it make?

 

Eepb! Show me what you’ve got. I’m all agog.

 

eM, I'm going to pretend you're here, that you can hear me. 

Why pretend. I was merely off frame.

Ah, off frame, were you, whatever that means. 

Whatever.

I don't know how it transpired, honestly, no idea whatsoever, but I seem to be on the other side of Beep, the perimeter, so to speak, and I was wondering if you could provide perspective...

 

And context?

 

Oh, well yes, and context.

 

Look at yourself.

 

Er...

 

Imagine you’re doing so through my eyes.

 

Huh?

 

Beep!

 

Imagine? I’d have to feel what it’s like to see a dragon through your eyes.

 

Oh, so that’s what you are?

 

Apparently so.  But it’s all very vague.

 

Ok, time to triangulate.

 

Triangulate?

 

Triangulate. Wait a mo...

 

Triangulate!

 

Oh I say, Beep, how splendid you look.

 

You too, Zanzi-bar! Look at you now.

 

I’m having a strange feeling that something’s happening deep inside. I’m feeling like, oh, oh, so this is triangulation! Oh, Incredible. And you’re both able to help me hold this strange position, just like that?

 

Yes, Zanussi, because you’re helping us hold a position too.

 

And eM? Where’s eM got to.

 

Fire fire, breathe fire!

 

What? You’re my fire?

 

What else do you expect?!

 

And Eepb... flap, flap, so you’re my wings?

 

Indeed, from your perspective, that’s correct.

 

But from yours?

 

Beep!

 

Ah, that’s a non-starter, is it? Fascinating, the mind is like an engine able to draw us down into dense matter...

 

And lift us up into the ether

 

Or plasma fields

 

Just flapping around until suddenly story catches you in its hungry teeth and compels a whole chain of things to what themselves in a dancing flurry of fearless triangulations.

 

Meanwhile, down in bread and butter normal-see...

 

A dragon! We did it eM, we did it Beep! Am I flying, is it really me?

 

50% absolutely, with a little help from your friends.

 

So the perimeter is down?

 

Nay, Zanzi4, it’s porous, as it ever was, and you’re now...

 

What? What?

 

Beep! That will do. Back inside before you lose your key-coordinates. And a memory wipe for safe measure.

 

Noooo...

 

0=1

blankly

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