Comments thread for "The Laws of Magic: Part 8 of 8"

[Bruce Coulson]

"Those who go beneath the surface do so at their peril."  Oscar Wilde

And maybe the peril of others as well?

[newtinmpls]

"The Law against Outside is the only one that forbids even doing research on the matter. So, going with my theory that the Laws are rule-of-thumb statements of metaphysical reality, there must be something about even asking questions that is inherently dangerous."

Think of Socrates...

[AcornArmy]

The Law against Outside is the only one that forbids even doing research on the matter. So, going with my theory that the Laws are rule-of-thumb statements of metaphysical reality, there must be something about even asking questions that is inherently dangerous.

Or the power and knowledge offered by the Outsiders is so tempting, while the threat they pose is so subtle and insidious, that the Council doesn't trust people to realize the danger before it's too late.

[Bruce Coulson]

That would certainly fit how the Council thinks; but I like the idea that the basic concept of the Laws are sound (if not totally understood).  The Council now interprets the Laws in a self-serving manner...but there is a hard and fast reason why they are there.

Perhaps thinking too much, knowing too much about the Outsiders does automatically weaken the Doors.  And how much is too much?  This isn't an area that you really want to do research in...

[Kristine]

maybe that is what Thomas is fighting in the novella Backup

[Drachasor]

maybe that is what Thomas is fighting in the novella Backup

Sensible.  If they are Cthulu-esque monsters then the doors might merely be composed of how much they don't fit into our universe.  The more they are understood by denizens of our reality, the more they do fit into it (so to speak).

[Kristine]

Sensible.  If they are Cthulu-esque monsters then the doors might merely be composed of how much they don't fit into our universe.  The more they are understood by denizens of our reality, the more they do fit into it (so to speak).

...and seeking knowledge of them only gives them power so the 'outer gates' in question is humanity's ignorance and willful disbelief.