💾 Archived View for gemini.locrian.zone › library › SCP › scp-5242.gmi captured on 2024-05-12 at 15:16:07. Gemini links have been rewritten to link to archived content
⬅️ Previous capture (2023-11-04)
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[Archivist’s note: Color-coding in this file has been simulated with brackets of various shapes.]
A semiohazard, informally, is a fact of the universe that just shouldn’t be true, but functionally is. They are inherently abstract and affect the way that we think and communicate about reality.[1]
A particularly costly example of one such fact is, “the operations of ‘YWTGTSYT’ are perfectly legal,” which currently requires the Foundation Legal Department to entirely redraft Texas corporate law.[2] Such things are facts of baseline reality; they always have been, and always will be, true. But they *shouldn’t*, and we *know* they shouldn’t. They aren’t part of reality because reality says so, but because reality has been pulled inside-out by the conceptual nature of semantic equivalence itself. Alas, there is nothing we can do but reframe our definition of baseline and move on. To purposely poke at the bugs in the simulation is to invite a crash.
Read on, knowing that you must accept what the universe says is true, even if it doesn’t make sense. One plus one doesn’t always equal two.
Item #: ⟦SCP-INTEGER⟧
Containment Class: ⟦CHALLENGE⟧
Disruption Class: ⟦INFLUENCE⟧
Risk Class: ⟦VOLATILITY⟧
⟦SCP-INTEGER⟧ must only be semantically identified using ‘correct’ identifiers, including ‘⟦NAME⟧’, ‘⟦BEING⟧’, ‘⟦ENTITY⟧’ and others. However, ‘⟦SCP-INTEGER⟧’ is the suggested identifier, due to others being either redundant or only conditionally ‘correct’.
Knowledge of ⟦SCP-INTEGER⟧ and its properties should be restricted to only the necessary personnel for containment, including Dr. Placeholder and one member of the Department of Miscommunications, enforceable via amnesticization. However, extensions for research purposes may be permitted by Dir. Forkley on a case-by-case basis. Note that this ⟨FILE⟩ has been strictly organized such that non-abstract information concerning ⟦SCP-INTEGER⟧ and/or ⟨SCP-INTEGER-DIGIT⟩ instances is not directly communicated via identifiers. For the sake of clarity, correct identifiers for ⟦SCP-INTEGER⟧ and ⟨SCP-INTEGER-DIGIT⟩ have been made distinct via blue and green coloration (respectively). Updates to this ⟨FILE⟩, if any, are encouraged to remain consistent with these principles.
⟨SCP-INTEGER-DIGIT⟩ instances that do not possess sapience are to be contained at Site-15. Access to such instances for research of semiontological anomalies (a.k.a. semiohazards) may be permitted to personnel possessing Level 4 clearance or higher. With regards to ⟨SCIENTIST⟩ instances, ⟨SCP-INTEGER-DIGIT⟩ instances possessing sapience need not be contained unless, as a result of their properties or otherwise, they inhibit the containment of ⟦SCP-INTEGER⟧.
⟦SCP-INTEGER⟧ is a ⟦HAZARD⟧[3] ⟦COMPLEX⟧ that simplifies ‘incorrect’ designations and classifications of itself and instances of ⟨SCP-INTEGER-DIGIT⟩. In the event that ⟦SCP-INTEGER⟧ is ‘incorrectly’ designated or classified through any form of semantic communication, said identifier becomes abstracted[4] by one Cuil[5]. The new, abstracted identifier is retroactively incorporated into the ⟦CONSTRUCT⟧ as ‘correct’. Additionally, its respective medium of communication will become an instance of ⟨SCP-INTEGER-DIGIT⟩.[6]
The consequences of ⟦SCP-INTEGER⟧’s effects are as follows:
Due to its tendency to make useful labels and categorizations redundant, ⟦SCP-INTEGER⟧ poses significant nomenclative difficulties to Site-15 documentation and personnel. Due to its semantic nature, ⟦SCP-INTEGER⟧ shares similarities with memetic hazards, and a single incorrect designation could lead to the rapid propagation of ⟨SCP-INTEGER-DIGIT⟩ throughout Site-15 and its documents, crashing file systems and potentially causing several other containment breaches by preventing effective communication.
Other known ‘correct’ identifiers for ⟦SCP-INTEGER⟧ include:
⟨SCP-INTEGER-DIGIT⟩ is the designation for ⟨THINGS⟩, including both ⟨ITEMS⟩ and ⟨BEINGS⟩, that have served as a medium of communication for an incorrect designation or classification of ⟦SCP-INTEGER⟧. Upon becoming an instance of ⟨SCP-INTEGER-DIGIT⟩, its identifiers are similarly abstracted by ⟦SCP-INTEGER⟧. Incorrect identifications of ⟨SCP-INTEGER-DIGIT⟩ instances will be abstracted, but their respective media of communication do not become further instances.
The following is a list of known instances of ⟨SCP-INTEGER-DIGIT⟩.
Correct Identifier(s):
Non-identifying ⟨EXPLANATION⟩:
Correct Identifier(s):
Non-identifying ⟨EXPLANATION⟩:
Correct Identifier(s):
Non-identifying ⟨EXPLANATION⟩:
Correct Identifier(s):
Non-identifying ⟨EXPLANATION⟩:
Correct Identifier(s):
Non-identifying ⟨EXPLANATION⟩:
Correct Identifier(s):
Non-identifying ⟨EXPLANATION⟩:
The Foundation became aware of ⟦SCP-INTEGER⟧ on 05/05/2002, when [⟨ERASED⟩][12], resulting in Dr. Placeholder becoming the first known instance of ⟨SCP-INTEGER-DIGIT⟩. After publishing the first draft of ⟨FILE⟩, he attempted to discuss it with a ⟨SCIENTIST⟩, and discovered ⟦SCP-INTEGER⟧’s pseudo-memetic properties. Dr. Placeholder proceeded to use ⟨FILE⟩ to derive the mechanics of ⟦SCP-INTEGER⟧’s effect, before developing more informed ⟨SECURITY MEASURES⟩.
⟨INQUISITOR⟩: ⟨SCIENTIST-LETTER⟩
INTERVIEWED: Dr. Placeholder
FOREWORD: Attempted interview of Dr. Placeholder to ascertain the nature of ⟦SCP-INTEGER⟧. Terminated due to ⟨SCIENTIST-LETTER⟩’s lack of understanding concerning ⟦SCP-INTEGER⟧’s ⟨SECURITY MEASURES⟩. Note that the ⟨FILE⟩ used in this ⟨INQUIRY⟩ did not yet contain an ⟨EXPLANATION⟩ demonstrating accuracy.
« BEGIN LOG »
⟨INQUISITOR⟩ Dr. Placeholder, this ⟨INQUIRY⟩ is being conducted exactly fifteen minutes after you updated the ⟨SECURITY MEASURES⟩ for ⟦SCP-INTEGER⟧. We’d like to know exactly what the hell anything in that ⟨FILE⟩ means.
Dr. PhD.: This ⟨INQUIRY⟩ is going to look just as useless on ⟨FILE⟩. I already tried to tell ⟨SCIENTIST⟩, you can’t [⟨UNPROFESSIONALISM ERASED⟩] talk about it specifically.
⟨INQUISITOR⟩: And why is that, might I ask?
Dr. PhD.: What part of, ‘can’t talk about it,’ don’t you understand? You have the ⟨PAGE⟩ in front of you, right?
⟨INQUISITOR⟩: I’m the ⟨INQUISITOR⟩ asking the questions here.
Dr. PhD.: [⟨ERASED⟩], fine. You see that list of terms? We can only talk about ⟦SCP-INTEGER⟧ using those terms.
⟨INQUISITOR⟩: (The ⟨INQUISITOR⟩ examines the ⟨FILE⟩.) Okay... So, how did you become aware of the ⟦HAZARD⟧?
Dr. PhD.: All I can tell you is that I found— (A painful groan is heard.) ...I *said* something that I shouldn’t have said. That should never be said. Ever.
⟨INQUISITOR⟩: Unhelpful, but duly noted. Could you attempt to somehow convey what ⟦SCP-INTEGER⟧ does with a little more clarity? Try your best?
Dr. PhD.: (Scoffs.) If you use any other word than what’s on that list, it’ll take some general category that the word is in, and add the word for that category to the list.
⟨INQUISITOR⟩: ...Go on.
Dr. PhD.: And, it’ll do the same to you, and give you your own personal list. So I suggest you stick to the ⟨SECURITY MEASURES⟩.
⟨INQUISITOR⟩: I’m not sure I understand. So what if this ⟦THING⟧ attaches a list to me?
Dr. PhD.: Be [⟨ERASED⟩] careful! Haven’t you had a briefing on semiohazards? It’s not just a list of words— it’s a list of facts. There’s no way around them, and there’s no way of undoing them. You’re lucky ‘⟦THING⟧’ is on the list, or we’d be stuck calling you ⟨RESEARCHER⟩ for the rest of time. And from the beginning of time.
⟨INQUISITOR⟩: Ah... well, this is quite the ⟦ISSUE⟧,[13] isn’t it?
Dr. PhD.: Yeah, no kidding.
(A strong breeze moves through the room.)
Dr. PhD.: (Sharp inhale.) Wait, the [⟨ERASED⟩] list! I didn’t write that-
⟨INQUISITOR⟩: Wait, what? But ⟦ISSUE⟧ is a correct identifier for ⟦SCP-INTEGER⟧.
Dr. PhD.: (A pause is followed by an exasperated sigh.) I really tried, ⟨INQUISITOR⟩.
⟨INQUISITOR⟩: Wait, something doesn’t feel right- why am I ⟨INQUISITOR⟩?
Dr. PhD.: Whatever you actually just said wasn’t a correct identifier until you misidentified it. I’ve had to call you ⟨SCIENTIST-LETTER⟩ for years now, and I finally know why.
⟨INQUISITOR⟩: Wait, but... that doesn’t... that shouldn’t be my name- What the [⟨ERASED⟩] is going on!?
« END LOG »
Evidence would suggest that ⟨SCIENTIST-LETTER⟩’s status as an ⟨SCP-INTEGER-DIGIT⟩ instance was retroactively caused by negligence of ⟨SECURITY MEASURES⟩ during the above ⟨INQUIRY⟩. ⟨SCIENTIST-LETTER⟩’s subsequent amnesticization request granted, despite minimal predicted effectiveness.
A semiohazardous error has occurred while viewing this file. The following ⟨PARABLE⟩ may not correspond to objective reality.
If two ones make two
And two twos make four
What’s to do when two twos
Won’t make four anymore
When values in base ten
Return sums in base eight
That two fours make ten
Is the sum of all hate
If A equals B
And C is not A
To hear that B’S C
Leaves one wrought with dismay
When the enemy of an enemy
Is the enemy of one’s friend
And hope of any clarity
Yields chaos in the end
Such is a ⦕PUNISHMENT⦖
For those who wander
Too far from {THE PATH}
Of ⟪THE FOREST WITHOUT NAME⟫
And seek knowledge
That is best left ⦕UNKNOWN⦖
For your crimes of naming
⦕THAT WHICH OUGHT NOT BE NAMED⦖
You must accept that reality
Doesn’t always make sense
LOGICIAN