Text | @rubber ducky

[curingidiocy]

[ This sure is a unique network post. You might even think it's some sort of spam message, until you look carefully and see that it is indeed sent by one of the Outsiders on base, one (1) Veritas Ratio. Still.... ]

Notice of Examination Period: May 13-14

On May 13-14, students will be undergoing written exams to assess their level of knowledge in certain subjects. The exams will be taking place in a cordoned section of the cafeteria during this period. Please refrain from entering the cafeteria if unnecessary, and keep noise levels to a minimum. There will be no restrictions during lunch period.

Below is the schedule of exams; plan your trips accordingly.


May 13
8:00-9:30 AM: Mathematics - Arithmetic, Geometry, Trigonometry, Algebra
10:00-11:30 AM: Mathematics - Statistics & Probability
1:30-3:00 PM: Mathematics - Calculus
3:30-5:00 PM: Economics

May 14
8:00-9:30 AM: Physics
10:00-11:30 AM: Chemistry
1:30-3:00 PM: Biology
3:30-5:00 PM: Environmental Sciences


These exams are diagnostic tests meant to inform further learning. Should you have an interest in educating yourself, direct your inquiries to me. The cut-off for requesting participation in these exams is 8 PM tonight.

Dr. Ratio
Professor, University of Veritas Prime
Intelligentsia Guild
Academic Representative of the Interastral Peace Corporation

Comments

[curingidiocy]

What subjects would you be interested in? I have already mentioned to you most of my expertise, but I am also knowledgeable in philosophy as well as natural theology. I do not intend on offering the latter, however, as it pertains to the Aeons, and I have yet to determine if this is truly another universe in which they have no influence.

[wheft]

Aeons? Are they gods? Because even if they exist in this world, I don't really believe in those.

[ something something about how religion in the city is just a bunch of cults scamming people left and right. ]

Something... that had to do with the ocean, I guess. I changed jobs and became a sailor for a long while.

[curingidiocy]

Their existence is not a matter of belief, nor do They often concern themselves with humanity. They can be considered a personification of philosophical Paths, which They must pursue until the end of Their existence.

For example, Aha the Elation concerns Themself only with joy and amusement. Every action They take is in pursuit of that. Should you agree that joy should be the fundamental pursuit of humanity, and act in accordance with that belief by working to spread joy, then you may consider yourself a follower of Aha.

The Intelligentsia Guild that I am a part of is a faction belonging to Nous the Erudition, whereas the IPC serves Qlipoth the Preservation.

[ But enough about that. ]

I see. What knowledge I can offer regarding the ocean will be as it pertains to medicine or engineering, as I have studied it as a potential vector for cures or as an energy source.

[wheft]

Nothing about marine biology, then... I'll think about it. I haven't really thought of pursuing it more seriously back in my world, actually.

I'm a bit more interested in these Paths, though. What do the Erudition and Preservation believe in?

[curingidiocy]

That is fine. Higher education is not the only means by which you can obtain knowledge, nor are all suited towards it. As enthusiastic as I am about the scholarly pursuits, it would be folly for me to promote it without also mentioning the challenges associated with it. This decision ought to be made with careful consideration.

As the name of the Path suggests, Nous is primarily concerned with knowledge. Specifically, They seek the answers to the universe and the ultimate solution. However, They will never provide solutions to humanity, only an infinite number of questions. Knowledge must be discovered by oneself, rather than provided by another.

The Preservation seeks to defend worlds from Their mortal enemies, the Leviathans. To that end, They tirelessly build walls to isolate and protect planets. As for the IPC, their goal is to gather resources from across the galaxy for Qlipoth's usage, though the Aeon has never once looked at their stockpile in all the Amber Eras the organization has existed for.

Other Paths in existence include Trailblaze, Destruction, The Hunt, Abundance, Harmony, Nihility, Enigmata, Voracity, Permanence, Beauty, Remembrance, Propagation, Finality, Equilibrium and Order.

[wheft]

[ erudition... preservation... taking mental notes because these all seem neat? they don't abide by a god per se, but a certain philosophy in life... ]

And how about you? Though I guess if you belong in this one guild, you're probably under Erudition then.

[curingidiocy]

Yes, as a member of the Intelligentsia Guild, you may consider me a follower of the Erudition.

[ He's got some complicated feelings regarding the Aeon themself, but it's nothing he intends on revealing to Ishmael. ]

It is worth noting that most treat the Aeons like gods of worship. Very few wholeheartedly dedicate their entire being to a Path's philosophy. And fewer still are given the opportunity to obtain a portion of the Aeon's power, becoming an Emanator of the Aeon.

[wheft]

So at the end of the day, they're still no different from actual religion...

Where I'm from, religions are usually just scams for the ones who would readily believe on anything so long as it brings them comfort to their lives. So forgive me if this all sounds alien to me.

[curingidiocy]

The gulf between the average human and an Aeon is so wide, most have no choice but to treat Them as fantastical beings—They exist, certainly, but will never intersect their lives in a meaningful way. While there is no harm in the occasional prayer for comfort, I would like to hope none are so foolish as to believe an Aeon will save them in their moment of need. It is well known that Aeons only respond to individuals that embody Their Paths, and even then, those moments are so rare that one ought not expect anything from Them at all.

As always and ever, humanity should only rely on itself, not on beings who do not care for us, and whose motives we can hardly understand.