Story Blindness

[WackyMeetsPractical]

There's an odd little quirk we've been noticing in some of these characters. At least two of them are unable to read their own stories. We have yet to receive confirmation that any of the fictites have been able to read their own stories, so we're currently working under the assumption that none of them can. Here's a review of the facts:

Don Quixote visited the library and found the book from which he originated. The pages were blank to his eyes, yet the librarian could see them clearly. Don Quixote could read other books, including Sherlock Holmes. Only his book was blank to him.

Gulliver was linked to a digital version of his book, yet when he looked at it through Silver's phone, the page was completely white. Silver has not reported on whether he could read the text or not. Gulliver has not yet reported on reading other fictions. This particular instance is odd as his book are written from his point of view. He has written letters since arriving here in a very similar matter, yet he has not yet reported on any of them going invisible.

Now for theories.

There was once a theory that the universe was somehow keeping them from reading the stories to avoid spoilers. This made sense for Quixote, since reading stories portraying him as an insane man who's heroic deeds were all in his head may cause him to have a nervous breakdown. Other characters may have had their stories block to keep them from learning about their imminent deaths. Yet Gulliver's case seems to debunk this. Gulliver has already lived through his story and they were written by his own hand. There are no possible spoilers for him.

I have no theories, myself, as to how to explain this. I believe we should work to gather more data on the matter. So far, it makes no sense. But it couldn't hurt to gather more theories.

[AceOfSpades]

I think the reason why they can't read them is because well without the character there is no story. If Quixote isn't there, then there is no Don Quixote.

[NeverSlender]

I think the reason why they can't read them is because well without the character there is no story. If Quixote isn't there, then there is no Don Quixote.

Then why can other people still read them?

[WackyMeetsPractical]

I think the reason why they can't read them is because well without the character there is no story. If Quixote isn't there, then there is no Don Quixote.

The problem with that the stories still exist. The librarian could still read Don Quixote's story. Don Quixote can still read Sherlock Holmes. And we could still read everyone's stories.

[Scarab]

I think the reason why they can't read them is because well without the character there is no story. If Quixote isn't there, then there is no Don Quixote.

Then why can other people still read them?

Similar to the above theory: Maybe the reason they can't read their stories in their own books is because they're not IN the story to have the adventure in that book ast ANY point?

That said, some of them appeared to have been pulled out towards the END of their stories, sooo the adventure should have already happened anyway. Unless it's some kind of... I don't know, temporal thing?

I really don't know how to explain this but... imagine their stories as being essentially the timeline of their lives. We can read these fictional characters timelines, their life stories compressed between the pages of a book. In that sense, the entire story is happening at exactly the same time, from out POV because the writing on the page IS the story/their lives. Now they've stepped outside of their timeline, and they've stepped out of the WHOLE timeline, not just vanished from a certain point in it, so their entire timeline doesn't EXIST for them. It doesn't matter WHEN exactly they vanished from it. That doens't explain why it still exists for us, though...

I'm sorry I'm not quite smart enough to make that make anymore sense, but the concept is niggling in my brain.

[Krika]

I tried to get the twitter people to do this experiment with me, but they've all ignored my requests.

[WackyMeetsPractical]

I tried to get the twitter people to do this experiment with me, but they've all ignored my requests.

Next time, don't try to present it as an experiment. It makes it seem very impersonal, which tends to turn people off. Maybe something like, "Hey! Check this out!" or "Hey, this story's about you. Interested?" Be conversational. They seem to like that.

[AceOfSpades]

The stories exist for us because look at how many versions have happened prior to these events. We had books, movies, tv shows, games, and other adaptations of said story. It's gonna take a hell of a lot more than just one character from that story to erase the story completely. Another theory is maybe they can't read them because as far as they are concerned, they think they are real. A mentality that is so powerful that it could trick your mind into seeing what you want to see. In other words, the fictites think they are real so any story that contradicts them otherwise in their mind doesn't exist.

[Scarab]

The stories exist for us because look at how many versions have happened prior to these events. We had books, movies, tv shows, games, and other adaptations of said story. It's gonna take a hell of a lot more than just one character from that story to erase the story completely. Another theory is maybe they can't read them because as far as they are concerned, they think they are real. A mentality that is so powerful that it could trick your mind into seeing what you want to see. In other words, the fictites think they are real so any story that contradicts them otherwise in their mind doesn't exist.

If that's the case, then perhaps Holmes and Poirot would be able to READ their stories, now that they have fully accepted what they are? And what about Cheshire?

[AceOfSpades]

They say they do, but do they really. Even strong characters like Holmes secretly deny it.

[Dryunya]

I'm enjoying the logic in this discussion sooo much, really. I, er, I probably sound like Twilight when I say this, but you all are so scientific right now!
Um, I assume there are 2 cases to... um... how is it - speculate upon:

1. The characters don't see anything because their mind denies the fiction - um, this is probably because they will Go Mad From The Revelation if they see themselves in the book. I don't want to impose anything, but maybe you should ask the detectives about their books? Pretty please?..
2. The metaverse itself obscures the fiction to prevent some weird paradoxes. Um.. I just don't know, though... It doesn't seem to fit with Gulliver.. Just never mind me...

(Nope, I have no idea how to type logical discussions while staying in character. )

[Scarab]

I'm enjoying the logic in this discussion sooo much, really. I, er, I probably sound like Twilight when I say this, but you all are so scientific right now!
Um, I assume there are 2 cases to... um... how is it - speculate upon:

1. The characters don't see anything because their mind denies the fiction - um, this is probably because they will Go Mad From The Revelation if they see themselves in the book. I don't want to impose anything, but maybe you should ask the detectives about their books? Pretty please?..
2. The metaverse itself obscures the fiction to prevent some weird paradoxes. Um.. I just don't know, though... It doesn't seem to fit with Gulliver.. Just never mind me...

(Nope, I have no idea how to type logical discussions while staying in character. )

Meh, I think you did a pretty good job, considering you're a Fluttershy right now (omg still so adorable squee).

1. Yes I agree with this, we should really go ask them in the politest way possible if they would be too advser to reading their stories. I think we could tempt Holmes by mentioning that they're written for the public from John's perspective. It would be nice for him to read about his old friend again, even if just in a book. I may go do that...
2. This is also possible, but again, both explanations have flaws

[Krika]

Yah, I tend toward that scientific vernacular, because I'm not that good at being social.

And fast question Dryunya: Are you channeling Fluttershy, or is this actually Fluttershy breaking through?

[Chief Wakamakamu]

Yah, I tend toward that scientific vernacular, because I'm not that good at being social.

And fast question Dryunya: Are you channeling Fluttershy, or is this actually Fluttershy breaking through?

Don't tell me we need to send Fluttershy back across the wall. That would just make me sad.

[IslaKariese]

Yah, I tend toward that scientific vernacular, because I'm not that good at being social.

And fast question Dryunya: Are you channeling Fluttershy, or is this actually Fluttershy breaking through?

Don't tell me we need to send Fluttershy back across the wall. That would just make me sad.

It's all for Everybody's a Girl on the Internet Day, don't mind him- er, her!

[Scarab]

Yah, I tend toward that scientific vernacular, because I'm not that good at being social.

And fast question Dryunya: Are you channeling Fluttershy, or is this actually Fluttershy breaking through?

Don't tell me we need to send Fluttershy back across the wall. That would just make me sad.

But then again she might not even be happy here, I mean it's hardly equestria and the only cute fuzzy creatures we can provide her would be... well the creatures in the coffee room, which are NOT cute and fuzzy. Also, I'm not sure we've gotten to the point of My Little Pony infiltrating reality... which yes, makes me sad too.

[AceOfSpades]

Not only that but she is an avid animal lover, so seeing the meat section of the grocery store might kill her.

[WackyMeetsPractical]

I'm enjoying the logic in this discussion sooo much, really. I, er, I probably sound like Twilight when I say this, but you all are so scientific right now!
Um, I assume there are 2 cases to... um... how is it - speculate upon:

1. The characters don't see anything because their mind denies the fiction - um, this is probably because they will Go Mad From The Revelation if they see themselves in the book. I don't want to impose anything, but maybe you should ask the detectives about their books? Pretty please?..
2. The metaverse itself obscures the fiction to prevent some weird paradoxes. Um.. I just don't know, though... It doesn't seem to fit with Gulliver.. Just never mind me...

(Nope, I have no idea how to type logical discussions while staying in character. )

Both are good theories I've considered already. I much prefer theory 1. It's possible that the characters are somehow "programmed" to just not see their stories, possibly as an "anti-spoiler" measure, but applied to all of the characters indiscriminately, so it doesn't matter if they already know their own stories or not.

[Scarab]

Not only that but she is an avid animal lover, so seeing the meat section of the grocery store might kill her.

*Feels the sudden, intense urge to hide Shyunya from the world* Yeah that it might.

But yeah, back on topic, there appear to be two main trains of thought here: either they're in crazy-deep psycholgical denial (possibly even the people who are starting to believe it) or SOMETHING is keeping them from being able to read their threads.

I wonder if it's a combination of the two myself. Like that crazy timeline theory I had way back at the start that I am not going to repeat here because it barely made sense even to me.

[WackyMeetsPractical]

I wonder if it's a combination of the two myself. Like that crazy timeline theory I had way back at the start that I am not going to repeat here because it barely made sense even to me.

I would love to hear how that one would work.

I've been thinking of it in terms of "internal" or "external censorship". Are they blocking the stories from their heads (internally), or is something else blocking it for them (externally)? In these terms, how would a combination work?

[Scarab]

I wonder if it's a combination of the two myself. Like that crazy timeline theory I had way back at the start that I am not going to repeat here because it barely made sense even to me.

I would love to hear how that one would work.

I've been thinking of it in terms of "internal" or "external censorship". Are they blocking the stories from their heads (internally), or is something else blocking it for them (externally)? In these terms, how would a combination work?

I admit I'm not altogether sure, but... Okay, they were dragged out of their stories by something, right? And now they're here and can't read their own stories, for whatever reason. Maybe something external is actually affecting their minds, but it can only continue doing so for as long as they are in denial. I.e. for as long as they don't want to believe they're fictions, the external force is able to keep blocking them from reading their text. Like... hypnosis for example, which many people believe only works because the person being hypnotised deep down believes or wants it to work (and given that hypnosis is often used to cure addictions ot recover past lives and stuff, that makes sense psychologically).

What the external force is, however... no idea. It COULD be something from the real world, where we are naturally highly skilled at manipulating fiction. It doesn't really work the other way around - fictions can't impact on reality.

[AceOfSpades]

Well the denial thing is actually based on a similar theory to ghosts. Ghosts often deny that they have died and often psychologically see what they want to see. Like they could try to open a door inside their former house, only to find it locked. But in the actual case, they probably don't "see" the table barricading it. While at the same time believe there are ghosts walking among us. Same goes with fictionals, even if they believe the possibilities of ficitional's existences, but in turn they don't believe themselves to be fictional even with the evidence in front of them.

[Scarab]

Well the denial thing is actually based on a similar theory to ghosts. Ghosts often deny that they have died and often psychologically see what they want to see. Like they could try to open a door inside their former house, only to find it locked. But in the actual case, they probably don't "see" the table barricading it. While at the same time believe there are ghosts walking among us. Same goes with fictionals, even if they believe the possibilities of ficitional's existences, but in turn they don't believe themselves to be fictional even with the evidence in front of them.

Yeah, that's putting it better than I did, I think. Makes it make more sense.

[WackyMeetsPractical]

I wonder if it's a combination of the two myself. Like that crazy timeline theory I had way back at the start that I am not going to repeat here because it barely made sense even to me.

I would love to hear how that one would work.

I've been thinking of it in terms of "internal" or "external censorship". Are they blocking the stories from their heads (internally), or is something else blocking it for them (externally)? In these terms, how would a combination work?

I admit I'm not altogether sure, but... Okay, they were dragged out of their stories by something, right? And now they're here and can't read their own stories, for whatever reason. Maybe something external is actually affecting their minds, but it can only continue doing so for as long as they are in denial. I.e. for as long as they don't want to believe they're fictions, the external force is able to keep blocking them from reading their text. Like... hypnosis for example, which many people believe only works because the person being hypnotised deep down believes or wants it to work (and given that hypnosis is often used to cure addictions ot recover past lives and stuff, that makes sense psychologically).

What the external force is, however... no idea. It COULD be something from the real world, where we are naturally highly skilled at manipulating fiction. It doesn't really work the other way around - fictions can't impact on reality.

Okay, I'm liking this theory. If it's true though, if any character has fully accepted their fictional nature, then they should be able to read their stories.

I believe someone's mentioned testing to see if Holmes or Poirot can read their stories. I think Poirot would be the best choice. Poirot has definitely come to the realization that he is a fictional character, while I don't think Holmes has quite reached that point yet. Holmes understands that he is currently in a world that believes him to be fictional, but he still acts under the assumption that he is in fact real. While Poirot has out right admitted to being a fictional character. He's our best bet to proving or disproving this theory. And as he had just recently wrapped up a case, now is the best time to put it to the test.

[AceOfSpades]

Of course in the meantime they could try to read each others stories to each other. See if they could hear certain lines or if it would sound like someone pushed the mute button.