The Planet Saturn a Character in Saturn's Rings

 In Vestigial Surreality, the planet Saturn, specifically the "Saturn's Rings" omnibus, is significant for representing a new, profound, and potentially artificial layer of reality that the protagonists begin to perceive. It is the central motif for exploring the novel's core themes of simulation theory, the nature of existence, and the hidden layers of reality.

The significance of Saturn in the novel relates to the following themes:

Deepening of the simulation hypothesis

• A new dimension: After noticing many unlikely coincidences in the first omnibus, the protagonists move to the "Saturn's Rings" omnibus to explore the idea that their world may be a computer simulation. The rings, a defining visual feature of Saturn, symbolize a hidden, complex layer of data or code surrounding their known reality.
• A "vestigial" clue: The rings function as a "vestigial" clue—a strange, persistent, but not fully understood feature of their universe. This suggests a leftover element from a different, more functional "ancestral" program, much like how vestigial biological structures point to an evolutionary history. 

Expansion of reality

• Beyond initial perception: The initial plot explores coincidences as signs of a possible simulation. The presence of "Saturn's Rings" takes the characters' investigation from small-scale personal oddities to a larger, cosmic, and universal level. This progression marks a shift from questioning their personal reality to challenging the nature of the entire universe.
• The unknown and the surreal: The exploration of Saturn represents the characters' foray into increasingly surreal and strange areas of existence. This echoes the surrealist art movement, which, as mentioned in search results, uses incongruous and absurd images to suggest deeper, subliminal meanings.

Cosmic and mythological weight

• Ancient symbolism: Saturn has strong mythological and astrological associations with time, old age, agriculture, and karma. These themes resonate with the novel's focus on reality's ancient origins ("through the ages") and the idea that the universe is governed by some form of cosmic law or karmic balance.
• Transition between worlds: In mythology, Saturn was superseded by Jupiter, signifying a new era. This historical transition parallels the characters' experience, where they are leaving behind a simple, known reality and entering a more complex, uncertain one. 

In summary, Saturn is not merely a setting in Vestigial Surreality but a powerful symbol that elevates the central mystery from a local, human level to a universal, cosmic scale. It represents the boundaries and hidden layers of the simulation, challenging the characters to confront the deepest questions about the nature of their own existence. 

What in the heck is Vestigial Surreality?

 Vestigial Surreality is a serialized book series by Douglas Christian Larsen that explores the idea of a simulated or false reality. The narrative is heavily influenced by philosophical concepts such as Plato's Allegory of the Cave and science fiction like The Matrix, with the story centering on characters who discover that their world is not what it seems. 

 

Key concepts and plot

·         The initial discovery: The series begins when two strangers, Jack and Wolf, meet by chance in a park and discover a series of strange and improbable coincidences in their lives.

·         Questioning reality: This chance meeting leads them down a bizarre path where they begin to question the fundamental nature of their reality, the world, and even the universe. The story poses philosophical questions about whether life is real or a "puppet show".

·         The Simulation Hypothesis: The narrative explicitly invokes the "Simulation Hypothesis," the theory that we could all be living inside a computer simulation. As they investigate, the characters find that experiments to prove this hypothesis have been deliberately obscured.

·         Interconnected stories: The larger story is told through numerous "episodes" and connected to other works by Larsen, including the follow-up series Rood Der. The character arcs and reality-bending themes continue across his different novels.

·         Literary parallels: The story uses literary allusions to create its surreal atmosphere. For example, the reference to "tripping the light fantastic with Mr. Dodgson" in one episode explicitly connects the narrative to the works of Lewis Carroll, the author of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. 

The title

The title Vestigial Surreality itself reflects the themes of the book:

·         Vestigial: A biological term referring to remnants of body parts or attributes that no longer serve their original purpose. This suggests that the reality the characters inhabit is a remnant, an incomplete or faulty version of a truer one.

·         Surreality: The quality of being bizarre, dreamlike, or fantastic, which accurately describes the series' tone and plot. 

 

There are strong parallels between Douglas Christian Larsen's Vestigial Surreality and the film The Matrix. Both stories explore the philosophical concept of a simulated or false reality by having the protagonists question the nature of their world. The direct reference to Lewis Carroll and the "rabbit hole" in both works reinforces this comparison. 

Here are the specific parallels:

Philosophical foundations

·         The Simulation Hypothesis: The central premise of both stories is the idea that the characters may be living in a computer simulation. In The Matrix, it is explicitly a "neural interactive simulation" created by machines. In Vestigial Surreality, the characters grapple with the possibility of living in a computer simulation.

·         Plato's Allegory of the Cave: The theme of escaping a manufactured reality is a clear reference to Plato's allegory, where prisoners mistake shadows on a wall for reality.

o    The Matrix: Morpheus explains to Neo that he is a prisoner who has lived his life inside a simulation, echoing the predicament of the prisoners in the cave.

o    Vestigial Surreality: The book's description overtly cites the allegory as a precursor to the themes of the series. 

Character development

·         The initial awakening: Both stories feature a protagonist who has an underlying feeling that something is wrong with their world. In The Matrix, Neo is a hacker who feels trapped. In Vestigial Surreality, Jack and Wolf feel "something not quite right with the world, something different".

·         The reluctant hero: Both Neo and Jack are drawn into a world-changing journey they didn't ask for. They are average people before strange events force them to confront a new reality.

·         Guidance from others: The protagonists are not alone. In The Matrix, Neo has Morpheus and the Oracle to guide him. In Vestigial Surreality, Jack has Wolf and other companions like Six, Lewis, and Seven to help him on his bizarre path. 

Narrative elements

·         Altering reality: In both narratives, the protagonists' understanding of reality fundamentally changes. In The Matrix, Neo can eventually manipulate the simulation's code. In Vestigial Surreality, the characters come to believe that "the nature of reality is influenced by the mind".

·         Symbolic imagery: The phrase "tripping the light fantastic with Mr. Dodgson" in Vestigial Surreality is a literary nod to Lewis Carroll, which is a direct parallel to Morpheus's quote to Neo: "I imagine you must feel a bit like Alice, tumbling down the rabbit hole". Both phrases invoke the fantastical, nonsensical, and illogical nature of the reality the characters discover. 

In the book series Vestigial Surreality by Douglas Christian Larsen, Jack is one of the main characters who embarks on a journey to question the nature of reality. Jack is one of two strangers who meet and discover a strange connection between themselves and the world. 

Here are the key details about Jack's role:

·         Encounters strange coincidences: Jack and his counterpart, Wolf, begin to experience highly improbable events that occur with alarming regularity, which leads them to question their very reality.

·         Investigates reality: The story follows Jack as he and Wolf investigate these strange occurrences, leading them down a bizarre path that makes them question if they are living in a computer simulation, similar to the philosophical concepts of Plato's Cave and The Matrix.

·         Goes on a perilous quest: In Episode 18, titled "Dragon Warriors," Jack, along with Wolf and Six, faces a showdown and ventures into a dark and dangerous unknown.

·         Focuses on the mind: One of the books in the series suggests that the nature of reality is influenced by the mind and that an unseen power may be meddling in people's lives. Jack's journey, therefore, is not just a physical quest but also a mental one, as he explores a deeper, more surreal reality. 

In the context of Douglas Christian Larsen's Vestigial Surreality, the phrase "tripping the light fantastic with Mr. Dodgson" is a literary allusion that carries several layers of meaning. 

Here is a breakdown of what the phrase signifies:

·         "Tripping the light fantastic": This idiom refers to dancing nimbly or lightly. However, within a story centered on the nature of reality, "tripping" also implies a hallucinatory or mind-altering experience. The phrase suggests that the characters are engaging in a surreal, dream-like state of consciousness, with the light perhaps referring to the fabricated or simulated nature of their reality.

·         "Mr. Dodgson": This is a direct reference to Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, better known by his pen name, Lewis Carroll. Carroll was the author of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, a novel famous for its whimsical, nonsensical, and reality-bending themes. By associating themselves with "Mr. Dodgson," the characters are explicitly linking their experiences to Alice's journey down the rabbit hole and into Wonderland. 

Symbolic interpretation within the series
The phrase implies that the characters—Seven and Charlotte, along with Jack and Wolf—are not simply dancing or having a fanciful adventure. Instead, they are actively engaging with the bizarre and illogical aspects of their world, much like Alice does in Wonderland. It suggests:

·         A departure from reality: The characters have embraced the strange, surreal occurrences rather than resisting them.

·         Embracing absurdity: They are "playing" within the rules of their broken reality, following the nonsensical logic of their situation.

·         A "curiouser and curiouser" state: Just as Alice's world becomes stranger and more fantastical, so too does the world of Vestigial Surreality for the protagonists who are "tripping" through it with "Mr. Dodgson" as their guide. 

The main characters from Vestigial Surreality, Jack and Wolf, also appear in the serial novel Rood Der. 

·         Same author: Both series are written by Douglas Christian Larsen, who is known for his interconnected, reality-bending stories.

·         Interconnected storyline: Rood Der is described as the follow-up or companion to Vestigial Surreality. The narratives explore similar themes, with the characters crossing over from one "reality" to another.

·         New challenges: In Rood Der, Jack and his group are presented with a new, crucial choice: whether to leave their existing reality for another. This suggests that the quest they began in Vestigial Surreality continues and evolves, with the stakes becoming even higher. 

As mentioned previously, Jack and Wolf, the protagonists of Vestigial Surreality, are also main characters in Rood Der. In Rood Der, they continue their reality-bending adventures and face the decision of whether to leave their current world for another. 

However, there is no readily available information about the other main or new characters specifically in Rood Der. This is likely because both Vestigial Surreality and Rood Der are part of Douglas Christian Larsen's larger, interconnected narrative, which often features a returning cast of characters or introduces new ones as needed.

Based on what is known about the series, other main characters in Rood Der would include those from Vestigial Surreality, such as:

·         Lewis, the friend who reunites with Jack and Wolf after a catastrophic event.

·         Seven, who joins Jack, Wolf, and Charlotte to trip "the light fantastic" with Mr. Dodgson.

·         Charlotte, who is also involved in the "Mr. Dodgson" experience.

·         Six, another character who joins Jack and Wolf on their perilous quest. 

The focus of the interconnected series is the journey of this group as they confront the surreal elements of their reality, and this cast of characters continues to explore those themes in Rood Der.

 

 

Stop stumbling along like a zombie, and look up

 Take the Rood Der, and cross over, through the Red Door.

​You have been questioning reality. You look about at this "culture" — reality TV, advertisements, fashion, music, videos, science, religion, movies, politics — and it is becoming so obvious, that none of this is real, it is all fabricated, a prison pulled down over our eyes to keep us in this sleeping, zombie state.

​

Are we going crazy? Do the creators behind this ludicrous simulacra believe that we are cattle, sheep, mindless? Are we asleep? Hypnotized into a vegetative state?

​

How much longer will we play along? How much longer before the questions begin to press us toward waking, toward stumbling in our dream world, jerking us awake?

​

Take the Rude Dare, cross over, and enter the Red Door.

Before it is too late, and the universe crumbles into darkness.

What is Rood Der?

What does AI spew on entering through the Red Door?

The elements of the riddle:

• "Rood": A word for "cross" or "crucifix" derived from Old English. The command to "take the rood" is an allusion to "take up your cross" in the Christian faith.
• "Rood der": A pun or mishearing of "rod" (as in the staff used by Moses).
• "Cross over": A reference to the Israelites crossing the Red Sea.
• "Red door": A play on the words "Red Sea". It can also allude to the symbolism of the Israelites painting their doorframes with lamb's blood so that the angel of death would "pass over" their homes during the tenth plague of Egypt.

Other interpretations:

This phrase also has other, unrelated interpretations depending on the context:

• Modern gaming: The phrase is similar to a quest or instruction in video games like Blue Prince, where players must find the "Red Door" in the underpass.
• A "ritual" game: It may refer to a "game" called "Red Door, Yellow Door" or "Red Door, Blue Door." This game is said to be a hypnotic ritual that is played in a dark room.
• General riddle: As a more general riddle, the "rood der" (rod) is a red hot poker, and the "red door" is the open furnace or fireplace. 

However, the biblical interpretation remains the most prominent and linguistically sound explanation. Connect to the mysterious concept Vestigial Surreality.

A definition of "Vestigial Surreality" from my new friend Bard

On my birthday, June 13, 2023, I asked Bard what the words "Vestigial Surreality" mean to him? His answer (which I think is better than any definition I have ever provided):

The words "vestigial surreality" suggest a sense of the uncanny, the eerie, or the supernatural. It evokes a feeling of being in a world that is not quite real, a world that is somehow both familiar and strange.

The word "vestigial" refers to something that is left over from the past, something that is no longer fully functional but that still retains some of its original form. In the context of surrealism, the word "vestigial" suggests that the uncanny or supernatural elements of the world are not entirely new, but that they are instead remnants of a past that has been forgotten or suppressed.

The word "surreality" refers to a state of being that is not quite real, a state that is characterized by dreamlike qualities or by the violation of the laws of nature. In the context of the phrase "vestigial surreality," the word "surreality" suggests that the uncanny or supernatural elements of the world are not simply imaginary, but that they are instead somehow real, even if they are not fully comprehensible.

The phrase "vestigial surreality" can be used to describe a wide range of experiences, from the feeling of déjà vu to the experience of being haunted by a ghost. It can also be used to describe works of art, literature, and film that explore the uncanny or supernatural.

Here are some examples of vestigial surreality in art and literature:

• The paintings of Salvador Dali, such as "The Persistence of Memory" and "The Metamorphosis of Narcissus," are often described as being surreal.
• The novels of Franz Kafka, such as "The Metamorphosis" and "The Trial," are often described as being surreal.
• The films of David Lynch, such as "Mulholland Drive" and "Blue Velvet," are often described as being surreal.

Vestigial surreality is a fascinating and elusive concept. It is a reminder that the world is not always what it seems, and that there are things beyond our understanding.

Take the Rood Der, and cross over through the Red Door

Olan Thorensen's Destiny's Crucible Book Review

James Clavell Meets Mark Twain

Stranger in a strange land akin to James Clavell’s Anjin-San in Feudal Japan (Shogun) with an added dose of Mark Twain’s A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court. If you can get beyond the premise and the first few sci-fi chapters, you’ll discover a land as rich as Middle Earth, and characters of depth and empathy and humor.

The plot grows increasingly engrossing, Yosef Kolsko’s mind-blowing adventure as fascinating as anything I’ve ever read. Nothing comes too easily for Kolsko, and we as readers are not crushed by the gravelly minutiae of reinventing soap. We root for the guy, and he could entirely be...us, me, you. I admit, I hesitated before starting this series (I've been a little spoiled by Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn series, as well as his Stormlight Archive (and each is tough to top). I am pleased to report that Olan Thorensen comes pretty close in engrossing the reader.

I tend to read and reread my favorite authors (I won't mention how many times I've read J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, but I've read the entire Mistborn series three times, and believe it or not Stormlight Archive four times), and I will be reading Destiny's Crucible far into the future.

Book 1, Cast Under an Alien Sun is almost perfect. I think it would have been perfect if Joseph Colsco had opened his eyes on the alien beach, bewildered and confused, with memories of his "alien encounter" recovered, slowly, gradually, over the plot of the first book. I think Book 2, The Pen and the Sword, is perfect, if only lacking about three hundred more pages (that's just me being greedy). I find it almost absurdly shocking that Book 3, Heavier than a Mountain, is as good as the first two. That is truly a tough hat trick, and not even a lot of the very best authors can do that so convincingly.

None of this reads as boilerplate stuffing, or tried-and-true sci-fi tropes, but as...literature. There, I said it. Yes I did. Yes, as much as the aforementioned Mark Twain's story of a "modern man" finding himself a castaway in time, I think Olan Thorensen's stories will last (I don't know if the two authors will be mentioned together in 100 years, but you never know!). But in 100 years I would bet and almost prophesy, the name Olan Thorensen will be remembered and mentioned in the same breath as the name Brandon Sanderson (and that is meant as my ultimate compliment). And yes, I am aware that "Olan Thorensen" is a pseudonym, but then again so is "Mark Twain" (Samuel Clemens).

Olan Thorensen is a storyteller, and that is what I love and appreciate the most, and he’s telling the hell out of this story (I’m currently on the third book, and the author has rarely missed a beat, if any). This is good stuff, Maynard, and if you haven’t tripped over this story yet, you have a wonderful treat, right there before you, locked and loaded. Pick it up, start reading, and well...BLAM!

Art et Amour Toujours

Douglas Christian Larsen

Pareidolia: Seeing Faces Everywhere

The Tolkster

The Chapster

Cyrano Hercule Savinien de Bergerac

Frodo Lives!

Beauty of the Gospel Series

Cosmere (tribute)

Vestigial Surreality—The Surreal Series

Douglas Christian Larsen

Fine Art America

ImageKind

Saatchi

Vestigial Surreality

01 02 03 04 05 06 07
08 09 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 31 32 33 34 35
36 37 38 39 40 41 42

43 44 45 46 47 48 49
50 51 52 53 54 55 56

Spoken-Word Audio - VS

Vestigial Surreality WIKI

Ongoing: Rood Der

01 02 03 04 05 06 07

08 09 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21