The Outsider

David Stockhoff · 17 Dec 2010, 01:05 · from 2010-December.txt.gz

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From: dstockhoff at verizon.net (David Stockhoff)
Date: Thu, 16 Dec 2010 20:05:19 -0500
Subject: (urth) The Outsider
In-Reply-To: <4D0A774F.9020400 at gmail.com>
References: <AANLkTimTMkRogjDAnsm4pQi72M42e71CciOYqzhYGhX5 at mail.gmail.com>	<AANLkTinxtfEYh4_Hy8xKTrqRCkXC7EJuu-bq3FLtgA6J at mail.gmail.com>
	<4D0A774F.9020400 at gmail.com>
Message-ID: <4D0AB74F.1000102 at verizon.net>

I think this is correct. I presented my scheme of gradual 
improvement/enlightenment because Severian specifically describes it and 
it helps sort out why one iteration would have our experience and 
Severian's another, but that's all I'd add.

On 12/16/2010 3:32 PM, James Wynn wrote:
>
>
> There's another possibility I've mentioned before. And IF I were 
> inclined to justify tBotNS with Christian theology I would prefer it. 
> I don't, but I would.
>
> Since the cycles of Briah are not linked in Time, they are from a 
> practical standpoint indistinguishable from parallel universes. In 
> There Are Doors, although the parallel universes are based on a 
> fundamental difference, they are very similar too each other anyway. 
> For example, Green noticed that Lara's universe doesn't have ice 
> cubes. Green explains that this is because the universes are like 
> strings on a guitar tuned to the same note. Pluck one and those next 
> to it vibrate. So the parallel universes keep each other in line. Men 
> in Lara's universe where black tuxedos to their wedding because they 
> die after sex. Men in Green's universe do the same only because the 
> men in Lara's universe do.
>
> So in Severian's cycle, there was a Christian Church because there was 
> in _our_ universe. The Jesus mentioned in Silk's Holy Book is a figure 
> of myth. Neither Severian nor the Rajan could any more go back in time 
> and meet him than you or I could go back in Time and meet Cinderella 
> or Jason or Thor. But that doesn't mean he hasn't heard of him. The 
> Outsider is the God of all cycles, and the vision he shows Silk of 
> Christ on the cross is from _our_ cycle.
>
> Thus the Good News of the One Event spreads to all cycles for the 
> salvation of all.
>
> But that's a very geeky explanation. I prefer to just call it a 
> fantasy story of the distant future in our own universe.
>
> u+16b9
>
>


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