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[nogiftedone]

[Corbin has survived for more than a hundred years by existing along the margins of society. In fact, it's only recently, within the last 20 years, that he's decided to make a name for himself back home, a decision he has very recently decided was generally a bad idea. By and large, when the Geoarchaeological Professor awoke in the Bay a few days ago, he decided it best not to immediately make his presence known. Instead, he gleaned what information he could from the pamphlets and from the disturbingly Oz-like welcome hologram and got himself settled in as best he could. He knew, of course, that he couldn't hide in this place forever, which was what ultimately prompted this post today.]

I suppose it's time for me to "come out of the closet" as it were. I can assure you this has nothing to do with my sexuality, but rather with my appearance in this city, Genessia, which, through exploration, I've determined resembles a rather large gerbil cage.

As disturbing as that is, I'll not dwell on it at the moment. In the spirit of fairness and as a show of goodwill, I'll even go so far as to introduce myself without first being introduced to you. I am Professor Corbin Fitzmarcus of the Imperial College, London. I'm a Professor of Geoarchaeology. Bully if that means anything to you. If it does not, suffice to say I'm very good with rocks.

While I'm beginning to develop my own theories about this place, I'd like to hear yours, if I may. I wager if you've been here a while, you may sound as through you need an aluminum hat, but we'll see.

Comments

text;

[rockcollector]

[The address will read that it's from Mr.Smith.]

I wouldn't expect much from the current populace of this place.

text;

[nogiftedone]

Fortunately, I never make a habit of expecting much from anyone. I find it leads to less disappointment.

...Mr. Smith.

text; private

[rockcollector]

[He switches it to private and codes it so that it's showing his real name]

Sorry, habit. I've been making a mark and decided I didn't want anyone to find me. Hacking these phones are easy enough.

text; private

[nogiftedone]

Charming, Terrance. Do you really feel it's wise to make enemies of these people until we know what's really going on?

text; private

[rockcollector]

I wouldn't call them enemies. I've made a few "friends." Luckily people find my approach charming- sometimes.

I had an interesting hello for Genessia.

text; private

[nogiftedone]

You've made friends. Maybe we are all pod people.

What did you do?

text; private

[rockcollector]

I just edited the hologram.

Text:

[imaginationswoes]

I don't know much about this place so I don't know if I can help you. It depends on what you already know. I know that you can come back from the dead and that you can create links to places that you're from by giving up memories or parts of yourself... I know that the dream docks put memories into your head but it feels like you're back and experiencing the future but with no memory of this place...

Hopefully some of that is helpful.

Maybe you can answer a question for me? This is going to sound weird, very weird but... did you show up 4 days ago?

Text:

[nogiftedone]

Unbelievable is accurate, but given the current circumstances, I'm willing to attempt suspending my disbelief.

...

Why?

Text:

[imaginationswoes]

Well it's true so as unbelievable as it is...

Anyway, I asked because I felt something weird that day... in the direction of the bay. I went to check it out but whoever caused it was gone. I didn't want to follow it. It seemed very dangerous...

I didn't know if it was you.

Text:

[nogiftedone]

I suppose that depends on whether or not you believe I'm dangerous.

Text:

[imaginationswoes]

I don't... you took the time to learn about this place so you're thoughtful. I don't think you'd just hurt someone randomly if you're thoughtful because there are a lot of things that can go wrong...

But it sounds weird right? Like, I think I felt this before and I have an idea but I don't know and I don't know how to confirm it without meeting you but it's weird...

[She's trying so hard not to be awkward.]

Text:

[nogiftedone]

Ask your questions. Stumbling over yourself is unbecoming, even through text.

[youfool]

[Did someone call for an exposition dump? Cause Ted would cheerfully deliver one more or less like that.]

And, since people so often want to know following all that, I've been here for about two years now; longer than most.

[nogiftedone]

Thank you for the information, though it's mostly comprised of hearsay and untested theories. Any lead is a good lead.

Two years is far too short a time for any sort of solid proof of anything.

[youfool]

I doubt that epistemology entirely. Did you ever have neighbors? Doubtless, if they told you anything, you'd take it as proof enough.

[nogiftedone]

Begging your pardon, of course, but are you suggesting I should believe you due simply to tenure? Please. Only fools and idiots believe anything without proof.

[youfool]

[Ted stifled a laugh]

Suppose that depends on how you define 'proof.' I'd agree if you said 'evidence' instead, or else you're led into the strange position of not believing in, say, the love of your parents, or the trustworthiness of your friends, without 'proof'. To say nothing of the axiomatic and thus, unproved positions upon which all proofs derive their legitimacy.

[nogiftedone]

This baseless argument revolves around semantics, and I don't have time for it. I could explain that I wouldn't believe in either of those without proof either, but I really don't care to.

However, just to stifle any further dispute on the subject of which term is appropriate, "evidence" is actually used to define "proof" in any English dictionary, and "proof" is used to define "evidence". They are synonymous.

[stairsbro]

hey so you study archeological sites and figure out what kind of dirt the cavemen had and stuff right

[nogiftedone]

Typical. No. We use the disciplines of Earth sciences to determine the historical compositions of sites in order to explore what effects ancient climates may have had on ancient cultures, among other things.

[stairsbro]

right thats what i said
what kind of dirt and stuff
you ever find cool fossils

[nogiftedone]

Occasionally, though I've been studying the same site for six years now, and fossils are not my objective.

[stairsbro]

ok so
if you do that here
you wouldnt mind giving the fossils to a paleontologist right
since you dont care for them

[nogiftedone]

I never said I didn't care for them, simply that they aren't my area of study.

Do you know a paleontologist I might entrust these theoretical fossils to?