Timeline for How could a magical, sentient library defend itself?
Current License: CC BY-SA 3.0
17 events
| when toggle format | what | by | license | comment | |
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| Mar 18, 2017 at 20:41 | comment | added | Ville Niemi | @JasonC The last paragraph of my answer probably covers this. I think destroying or risking destruction of books would count as trying to remove them from collection and be erased. But the original builder might want to be more flexible. | |
| Mar 18, 2017 at 2:02 | comment | added | Jason C | I guess you could avoid the loophole if you made the blanket rule be "erase all memories pertaining to plans to remove objects from the library or physically damage it", although then that leaves the door open for other types of harm. | |
| Mar 18, 2017 at 1:58 | comment | added | Jason C | @AdiNugroho Doesn't matter, it only matters that the person doing it truly believed that it was (which would require such a delusional, or at least unexpected, worldview that this would be highly unlikely, and also any person who could do it would at minimum be a fascinating character). An interesting loophole in the "blindly erase memories of intent to harm the library" rule. See, the library doesn't need to understand intent, but something does: That means the memory wipe relies on the person's understanding of their own intent, and so, if one overthinks it (like me), there's a loophole. | |
| Mar 18, 2017 at 1:55 | comment | added | Vylix | @JasonC How can robbing a library helping it? | |
| Mar 17, 2017 at 19:17 | comment | added | Jason C | @AdiNugroho Well, it doesn't need to feel intention for this to work. It only has to blindly erase all memories of plans to harm the library from everybody who enters, whether they have those plans or not, and whether it's feeling unidentified pain or not. I guess like how rubbing alcohol doesn't need to know you have germs on your hands to work. The people with the memories know their own intent, so the library doesn't have to. I suppose an interesting side effect of that is that you could theoretically still rob the library if you truly believed you were helping it rather than harming it. | |
| Mar 17, 2017 at 19:12 | comment | added | Jason C | @xDaizu Or even better, "Hmm... it looks like somebody was trying to rob the place. We better watch out." | |
| Mar 16, 2017 at 8:57 | comment | added | xDaizu | (Thief looks at his own note reminding him of the plan) "Hmm... it doesn't look like anything to me" | |
| Mar 16, 2017 at 7:36 | comment | added | Joe Bloggs | I think it's likely the Librarian has visited at some point, and because of his innate care and respect for all libraries left with not a single memory altered. | |
| Mar 16, 2017 at 6:40 | comment | added | pojo-guy | Only one thing to say ... Ook. | |
| Mar 15, 2017 at 10:18 | comment | added | Vylix | @Mawg This is what you're looking for - What you need is an orangutan. – Separatrix 2 hours ago | |
| Mar 15, 2017 at 9:32 | comment | added | Mawg | I am surprised (nay -astonished!) that no one has yet mentioned Discworld and the Librarian at the Unseen University :-) | |
| Mar 15, 2017 at 8:45 | vote | accept | Vylix | ||
| Mar 17, 2017 at 3:33 | |||||
| Mar 15, 2017 at 8:43 | comment | added | Ville Niemi | @JoeBloggs More or less what I was thinking. So the library does read or care about intention, it just selectively and automatically erases types of memory. And this would actually be logical for a magical library. The library of Alexandria had a policy about getting a copy of all books that come to the city, for example. | |
| Mar 15, 2017 at 8:37 | comment | added | Vylix | @JoeBloggs The original idea is just like you said. After they leave with the scrolls and knowledge, as they walked they will slowly wondered how the scrolls come in their bag, and why their understanding on spells is better. People slowly realized there is something in the desert, thus the legend of the library born (it might not state a library, at all). | |
| Mar 15, 2017 at 7:39 | comment | added | Joe Bloggs | If this was built in as a passive method of making sure the amount of knowledge in the library only ever increased then it would form an interesting plot device. Passively removing memories related to diminishing the library in any way (constantly and without any care as to a person's intention) would leave scholarly types walking out with new copies of things and a vague idea of a wondrous library, while it would leave raiders utterly lost, confused, and likely to starve amongst the books as they try to remember where they are and how to get out. Fun plot point! | |
| Mar 15, 2017 at 6:59 | comment | added | Vylix | +1 for the last paragraph. I like it. However, remember that the library itself cannot feel intention, at least not before they start destroying the wall to search for hidden vaults. I like how the answer is going, however. | |
| Mar 15, 2017 at 6:32 | history | answered | Ville Niemi | CC BY-SA 3.0 |