[SCP] By any other name

Summary:

A weird metaphysical/ conceptual thing

[SCP] By any other name

DrMorris 07 Aug 2019 03:22

Sandbox link. Fifth tab, "Names".

I have decided to attempt a confusing conceptual mind-screw SCP. Hopefully it doesn't make sense in a way that makes sense, y'know?

Explanation: SCP-NNNN is both the object currently designated as SCP-NNNN and the anomalous effects possessed by the name SCP-NNNN. Both must be referred to as SCP-NNNN due to its anomalous properties.

The name SCP-NNNN is (in my own words) a semantically dominant name. That is, when an object is designated SCP-NNNN, the designation of SCP-NNNN will destroy and replace the object's original identity. SCP-NNNN is also a unique designation, so when the designation is re-applied, the former SCP-NNNN is left without a name at all. Since the former SCP-NNNN is now unnamed on a metaphysical level, records of it cease to exist entirely.

The name SCP-NNNN cannot hold any descriptive information about the object SCP-NNNN, and so the object SCP-NNNN can only be described by its name.

Questions:

• Does the concept itself actually make sense?
• Are any portions of the SCP too obvious/not obvious enough?
• Test logs: too many? Too few? If I were expanding, I'd add an audio log for the second-to-last experiment. If I were cutting things, I'd cut either or both of the last two experiments.
• Is it too similar to any existing SCPs? I think it's rather similar to SCP-1539, but hopefully distinct enough to stand on its own.

Re: [SCP] By any other name

UraniumEmpire 14 Aug 2019 05:11

So, I was called here by Zyn to review this, and aside from

Personnel involved recall performing the experiments at the logged times

(which felt somewhat clunky) and the Zalgo text, I don't see much of a problem with the skip proper. Granted, I'm a dirty hipster, but I did find the execution neat enough that I'd be confident upvoting.

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… and I'm not Robert Frost.

Last edited on 15 Aug 2019 00:59 by UraniumEmpire Show more

Re: [SCP] By any other name

DrMorris 15 Aug 2019 01:50

Thanks, glad the idea makes sense to you!

Personnel involved recall performing the experiments at the logged times

What did you find clunky about it, the wording or the concept? The researchers remember performing experiments since they're something done on SCP-NNNN, but don't remember what the experiments were done on because the items themselves no longer exist semantically.

And with the Zalgo text, do you have any suggestions on how I could convey the effect of a name that used to exist, but doesn't anymore?

Oh and lastly, thoughts on the test logs? Too few or too many, or opinions on specific logs I should add/remove?

Re: [SCP] By any other name

UraniumEmpire 15 Aug 2019 06:21

The wording, specifically the first four. The overall flow feels a bit confusing, I guess.

I'd suggest using the code for like, Blackbox Industrial (see SCP-4029), or just [DATA LOST]. I only brought that up because I know Zalgo text is apparently a massive turnoff for some users.

You have the right amount of test logs, methinks. I wouldn't recommend changing them.

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… and I'm not Robert Frost.

Re: [SCP] By any other name

DrMorris 16 Aug 2019 01:53

Ah, I see what you mean. I've revised that line to

Personnel recall performing the recorded experiments, but do not remember what the target objects were.

And I hope that reads more clearly.

As for the Zalgo text, it's supposed to represent text that still exists on the page but is unreadable. I don't think blackboxes or [DATA LOST] would convey that meaning as well. I personally think Zalgo text is the most appropriate way to show this, but I'll try to get feedback from other people. Thanks again for the feedback!