Theory: everyone is a Rithmatist (they just don't know it)

[WayneSpren he/him]

This theory is based off of the fact that Rithmatic lines only work if you believe they will work and know what they do at the same time. This theory's main point is that everyone is a Rithmatist, but most don't believe they are (or could be), so they cannot use the powers.

 

This explains why Melody's entire huge family is Rithmatists, as her parents married as Rithmatists, so her siblings, as a part of an all-Rithmatist family, thought that they would undoubtably become one as well. For each child, the amount of faith needed got smaller.

 

Joel is a Rithmatist if this theory is to be believed. When he draws the chalk line during the Inception, it is stated that "he knew what would happen. His hand passed over the line." His hand passed over because he didn't believe.

 

The Shadowblazes serve as a test of faith. They probably flee from every person who becomes Incepted, just to test whether the person will believe even after the Shadowblaze departs them.

 

The Forgotten do not possess Rithmatic powers; they simply allow their possessees to know that they are, indeed, Rithmatists. This is why Harding could make chalk lines.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

 

If you think this theory is plausible, give it a comment and perhaps an upvote, and I will send you a cookie via forum.

Edited June 8, 2015 by WayneSlider123

[Smye]

Interesting theory - I'll admit I feel it's stretching for evidence, but I'm intrigued!

[+Slowswift]

Didn't Joel ask other students who had been through the chamber who hadn't become Rithmatists, and didn't they say that they hadn't seen a Shadowblaze?

 

Other than that, this is a cool theory.

Edited June 8, 2015 by Slowswift

[king of nowhere]

it falls on one point, which is the shadowblaze. normal people don't know it exist. so if they escaped from rithmatists, and everybody is a rithmatist, then everybody would see one and they would not be secret.

 

other than that, it fits with everything and it explains some unlikely coincidences (the chances of four brothers being all rithmatists are one in one thousand billions).

 

So, if it was a working hypothesis in my work as a researcher, i would rate it unlikely but worth investigating further.

Edited June 8, 2015 by king of nowhere

[WayneSpren he/him]

Syme - Have a chocolate chip cookie.

 

Slowswift - Have a snickerdoodle.

 

king of nowhere - Have a triple fudge pizza-flavored cookie.

[+Slowswift]

Syme - Have a chocolate chip cookie.

 

Slowswift - Have a snickerdoodle.

 

king of nowhere - Have a triple fudge pizza-flavored cookie.

 

Yay! Snickerdoodles are the best. And props on the interesting theory!

[Shadowspren he/him]

I'll agree that it is any interesting theory. The only thing is that I don't think Brandon would use something so simple... I have a feeling that is more complicated than that... then again I know that I'm not the only or first person to think this 

[High prince of geeks he/him]

but didn't professor flitch say that a lot of people have tried to become rithmatists by hanging out with them

[Allomancy she/her]

If you think this theory is plausible, give it a comment and perhaps an upvote, and I will send you a cookie via forum.

But cookies are dangerous! Edited June 30, 2015 by Allomancy

[Stormsinger]

I honestly don't think that belief is the main idea of unleashing your Rithmatic abilities. It seems far off from the reality of the world. I think it mainly has to do, if everyone IS a Rithmatist, with oneself not having the qualifying skills or requirements. For example, Melody can draw fantastic chalklings and CAN draw Circles but they are not that good, and yet they work. Joel can draw Circles amazingly but can't draw chalklings well but they don't work. I believe it depends on the skill.

[WayneSpren he/him]

Shadowspren, High prince of geeks,  Allomancy, Stormsinger -

 

YOU GUYS ALL GET A HEMALURGIC COOKIE.

 

Edit: Allomancy, too bad.

Edited July 29, 2015 by WayneSlider123

[Thought]

A good shot, but chapter 1 seems to disprove this theory. In it, even Joel is surprised that the lines he drew don't come to life: yes, he "knows" he's not a Rithmatist, but in that moment he was so drawn up into his own story that he forgot, and then felt foolish for forgetting afterwards. If the above theory was correct, then he should have been able to accidentally draw a Rithmatic line.

[WayneSpren he/him]

A good shot, but chapter 1 seems to disprove this theory. In it, even Joel is surprised that the lines he drew don't come to life: yes, he "knows" he's not a Rithmatist, but in that moment he was so drawn up into his own story that he forgot, and then felt foolish for forgetting afterwards. If the above theory was correct, then he should have been able to accidentally draw a Rithmatic line.

Hmm...well, maybe I'll have to do a bit more reading into this, then.

 

(By the way, Thought, have a cookie)

[Sarcasm she/her]

A good shot, but chapter 1 seems to disprove this theory. In it, even Joel is surprised that the lines he drew don't come to life: yes, he "knows" he's not a Rithmatist, but in that moment he was so drawn up into his own story that he forgot, and then felt foolish for forgetting afterwards. If the above theory was correct, then he should have been able to accidentally draw a Rithmatic line.

But in Chapter 1 Joel hadn't gone into the Chamber of Inception yet.

[Plaeggs he/him]

And here I am wondering what in the world a snickerdoodle is. It sounds tasty.

[Stormgate he/him]

It's a cookie covered in cinnamon sugar. It's more than that, but that's all I know.

Also, Dark Alley, only approach if you have information about snickerdoodles. And leave your spikes behind (sans ones impaled in your flesh)

[gorrgon the champion he/him]

seems like a plausible theory!

[Stormgate he/him]

On the theory: Sanderson spends a lot of time working on and likely thinking about the Cosmere, so some elements are bound to slip through. For example, I believe that a Rithmatist is created when a Shadowblaze, who are unable to make chalklings, bond with someone who can draw. Perhaps Forgotten bond in a similar fashion, but with unknown benefits. Communication probably, but unknown beyond that.

[Shardcellist]

What about the claim that there could only be a certain number of Rithmatists at a time (another could not be made until a previous Rithmatist died)?

[Dragon314 he/him]

I LOVE THIS THEORY!!!!!! However, does this mean that that meter dude is evil and controlling?

[WayneSpren he/him]

By "meter" do you mean "master?"

[Rage he/him]

I find this topic interesting but I have to agree with Shadowspren and Thought there isn't enough info.

[uglyllama]

I like the thought behind this theory.  Even though I don't think it's 100% accurate, I'd have to say that knowing Brandon, there will be some major twist at some point that will be something just as eye-opening.

[WayneSpren he/him]

On 2/25/2017 at 0:43 PM, Rage said:

I find this topic interesting but I have to agree with Shadowspren and Thought there isn't enough info.

 

1 hour ago, uglyllama said:

I like the thought behind this theory.  Even though I don't think it's 100% accurate, I'd have to say that knowing Brandon, there will be some major twist at some point that will be something just as eye-opening.

Thanks for the criticism; my theory wasn't really thought out as much as it should have been.

[uglyllama]

8 hours ago, WayneSpren said:

 

Thanks for the criticism; my theory wasn't really thought out as much as it should have been.

I didn't mean it to be a negative criticism, I actually like the concept.  It may be something very similar to that, in the end.