Quagmire Paradox: The hypothesis that in certain Very Large Scale ecologies, the self-other duality which produces life and then consciousness exists in an unstable, extreme form. In most observed ecologies, the duality is moderate. In most universes, even the most intelligent sentients retain an awareness of their connection to All That Is. But in rare cases (only two such universes have been studied), the duality is so great that evolving sentients inevitably and rather quickly arrive at a condition of dangerously arrogant pseudo-omniscience. In other words, conscious creatures in the Quagmire Paradox retain almost so sense of "belonging." A sense of profound alienation (a pathology in other universes) is tragically the norm. While the condition may briefly produce brilliant technology and breathtaking art, the falsity of its assumptions inevitably and rapidly results in the self-destruction of the species.
                          --Encyclopedia of the 10,000 Universes.

Traveller’s Warning: Quarantine Alert

Status: ABSOLUTE QUARANTINE

Date: 93[44.931]-12.732

Location: HyperQuad Sweep 490GkPEcj^003.39926

Ready Reference Cognomen: TERRA.

Reason for Reporting Delay: Interstitial Twisted Toroidal Chronographic HeptaMetaFold

Quality & Probability Basis: Low-rez QuikScan, triple Max-rez FullScan.

Reliability: 0.999999998.



Report:
Minor planet in rim system previously overlooked because of chronic interstitiality. Absolute quarantine is now in effect until further notice.

TERRA, though still only in Development Stage 1.1138, is the only, repeat ONLY, planet which has passed all boundary conditions of the Quagmire Paradox. In the last 100 circumstellar rotations, Terrans killed only 200,000,000 of each other.

First reports of this figure from the initial Low-rez QuikScan produced incredulity among our researchers. Given the age of the planet, plus the durance of the Terrans, the Quagmire Paradox predicts that they should be on the very brink of self-extinction. The QP firmly shows that the number of intraspecific deaths in the period under examination should have been >3.73 billion.

The three subsequent FullScans however confirmed the incredibly low figure of only 200,000,000 dead.

We must repeat: This is unprecedented. In the long history of our study of this universe, we have encountered zero, repeat ZERO instances of sentiency which escaped the rapid self-extinction predicted by the Quagmire Paradox. Yet here we have a tiny, minor planet, current population around 6 billion, which in the recent measurement period destroyed only 3% of themselves.

The most recent scan measurements are even more puzzling: The rate of self-destruction in the last several circumstellations has been dropping rapidly. Our researchers are as intrigued as they are baffled. They have quickly formed into three camps.

1. Those who are already trying to re-formulate the Quagmire Paradox to account for this unprecedented behavior. How the Paradox might look if forced to include longterm survival is beyond conceiving at this time.

2. Those who see TERRA as only a momentary, statistically insignificant break in the continuum of Absolute Self-hatred which we have encountered everywhere in this universe: Life arises, becomes sentient, snuffs itself out. This group is confident TERRA will replicate this pattern sooner rather than later.

3. The fence-sitters, who want to wait, and observe.

Because of the unique nature of TERRA, the quarantine is, until further notice, absolute. No travellers, no matter the mode of transport or the manifested form, allowed.

We are monitoring all levels of TERRA communication. The TERRANS did become aware of certain of our investigatory visits. Lacking material proof, witnesses and specimens were not taken seriously. However, as word has spread among ourselves about the existence of TERRA, there has been a rise in organized tourism, sport hunting, and adolescent pranks. For a time, these visits became so common and so careless that the TERRANS developed some astonishingly accurate three-dimensional renderings of our transport modalities and our Standard Physiological Manifestation Forms.

It is to stop such casual interference that we are invoking Absolute Quarantine.

Since this level of quarantine is rarely used, we would remind all concerned parties that the penalty is also absolute. Without leniency, any violator will be required to submit to 7 Cosmic Periods of Theocratic Janitorial Work on a planet at State 0.75 or lower.

END

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