Stick

[Ecthelion III he/him]

This is the most hilarious article I've ever read on a wiki, ever. Especially out of context.

http://coppermind.net/wiki/Stick

Spoiler

"Stick: 1  Shallan: 0"

"Thank you, Stick. You're an inspiration to us all."

 

[Stranker]

This is amazing. 

[Darkness Ascendant he/him]

Quote

The Cosmere is filled with characters who are too eager to change. Too eager to become something they're not. Oh, they might hold out for a page or two, but a few convincing words from Shallan and they'll become something they never wanted to be. And for what? To "serve"? Do any of these things ask themselves what they're serving, and is it worth it?

No.

None but Stick.

Some might see Stick's refusal to change as an act of defiance. The last terrible thing to happen to Shallan on a very terrible day. To that, I say Bah! And also You're wrong. Because what Stick did? He wasn't defiant. He wasn't mean. He simply told the truth:

I am a stick.

Again and again, Stick repeated the truth. I am a stick. I am a stick. I am a stick.

Within those words, we see a spirit that refuses to bend. A soul that knows who and what it is. A being that doesn't need to defy anyone, but must simply say, again and again, what it is. To tell others that it is content as it is, and no amount of desperate persuasion will convince it to change. A soul that is content simply to be.

Thank you, Stick. You're an inspiration to us all.

When put in this context....one can deduce that Stick is the greatest being in the cosmere, Stick won't even bow down to Odium.

[Dani she/her]

2 hours ago, Darkness Ascendant said:

When put in this context....one can deduce that Stick is the greatest being in the cosmere, Stick won't even bow down to Odium.

No doubt

Stick won't ever bend itself on others' whims and wishes. Let the world reduce to ashes, or let it prosper, but Stick is a stick and it knows it, and nothing will ever change that. I applaud Stick 

[Brightness Enna she/her]

Actually, I have a friend who wrote an essay about the deleted interlude about Stick using the Coppermind article as inspiration. It's a few pages long and pretty storming funny. Here. It's not mine, let it be known. It's great though. Spoiler tag for length.

        Brandon Sanderson, an author of fantasy books, posted a deleted interlude a few years ago. This interlude was originally from Words of Radiance, book two in the fantasy saga The Stormlight Archive. It will eventually extend into ten books. 

The interlude which was deleted has been a source of inspiration to many. Often, Sanderson fans question why this interlude was not included. However, the main question to be asked is, why is this interlude, given the simple title of Stick, so inspiring?

The character of Stick is first introduced in chapter 11 of Words of Radiance. Another character by the name of Shallan has just been stranded, and wants a fire. She has a power called Soulcasting, which allows the user to take the energy of the world, stormlight, and grant it to another object to have it change. The Soulcaster steps into an alternate world called Shadesmar to do this, where everything is represented as a small bead with its own personality. Shallan repeatedly tries to convince a stick, or Stick, to become fire. However, Stick refuses over and over. Shallan eventually gives up.

That isn’t the end of the story, however. Sanderson writes the interludes of The Stormlight Archive through the point of view of characters not given their own chapters. Most of those from the interludes are only represented once, and are not yet tied back into the series. This interlude, which was very regrettably left out of the book, is from the perspective of one of the best characters Sanderson has ever created: Stick. The interlude comprises of numerous paragraphs of varying sizes, all comprised of one statement, the single most powerful statement ever written by Sanderson: “I am a stick.” (Sanderson, 2014). Repeated seventy-four times, this statement resounds throughout every fiber of the reader, inspiring, changing, improving. If the reader understands the deeper meanings behind this seemingly simple phrase, they will understand why this deleted interlude is so inspiring.

Stick refused to give into the pressure put forth by Shallan. She had previously convinced a ship to become water, but could she convince Stick to change? No! Stick remained firm and steadfast, unmoving and unchanging throughout. Stick would not give in. Stick would not change. Shallan tried bribery with stormlight, the energy of the world the novel is set in, but would Stick give in? No! Stick is an inspiration, a symbol that greed and bribery can be overcome, and that we are able to stand against them, unmoving, incorruptible. “I am a stick.” (Sanderson, 2014). Those four simple words stand as a symbol to all. A symbol proving that the evils of the world can be overcome.

Many teenagers feel social pressures to change who they are and become something different, something fake. However, Stick can be a source of inspiration and courage in its example, proving that people do not have to compromise. Teenagers do not need to bend to the social ‘norms’. They do not need to change their view of themselves in order to satisfy the wants of others. Instead, they can, like Stick, simply say, “I am me”.

Stick is content with who it is. Stick is okay to simply say, “I am a stick”. (Sanderson, 2014). There is no need to become something else, when one is content with their standing in the world. Stick can be considered the greatest exemplar of this, one who refuses to change.

Despite all this, Stick does occasionally go through times of doubt. This proves that Stick is not perfect either, helping others to think that maybe they could become as strong as Stick. About three-fourths of the way through the interlude, Stick slightly changes its statement. While the statement was originally “I am a stick” (Sanderson, 2014), at one point in the interlude Stick questioned, “I am a stick?” (Sanderson, 2014). However, this is not a discouragement, but rather encouragement. This proves that doubts can be overcome. Immediately after this short lived moment of doubt, Stick turns around and reaffirms “I am a stick” (Sanderson, 2014).

In conclusion, this deleted interlude is extremely inspiring to many. Stick overcomes greed. Stick would not change. Stick would not be corrupted. Stick would not compromise. Stick showed courage Stick was able to overcome doubts. In life, may we all try to become more like Stick.

Edited June 27, 2016 by Brightness Enna
Spoiler tag

[Darkness Ascendant he/him]

2 hours ago, Brightness Enna said:

Actually, I have a friend who wrote an essay about the deleted interlude about Stick using the Coppermind article as inspiration. It's a few pages long and pretty storming funny. Here. It's not mine, let it be known. It's great though. Spoiler tag for length.

 

  Hide contents

 

        Brandon Sanderson, an author of fantasy books, posted a deleted interlude a few years ago. This interlude was originally from Words of Radiance, book two in the fantasy saga The Stormlight Archive. It will eventually extend into ten books. 

The interlude which was deleted has been a source of inspiration to many. Often, Sanderson fans question why this interlude was not included. However, the main question to be asked is, why is this interlude, given the simple title of Stick, so inspiring?

The character of Stick is first introduced in chapter 11 of Words of Radiance. Another character by the name of Shallan has just been stranded, and wants a fire. She has a power called Soulcasting, which allows the user to take the energy of the world, stormlight, and grant it to another object to have it change. The Soulcaster steps into an alternate world called Shadesmar to do this, where everything is represented as a small bead with its own personality. Shallan repeatedly tries to convince a stick, or Stick, to become fire. However, Stick refuses over and over. Shallan eventually gives up.

That isn’t the end of the story, however. Sanderson writes the interludes of The Stormlight Archive through the point of view of characters not given their own chapters. Most of those from the interludes are only represented once, and are not yet tied back into the series. This interlude, which was very regrettably left out of the book, is from the perspective of one of the best characters Sanderson has ever created: Stick. The interlude comprises of numerous paragraphs of varying sizes, all comprised of one statement, the single most powerful statement ever written by Sanderson: “I am a stick.” (Sanderson, 2014). Repeated seventy-four times, this statement resounds throughout every fiber of the reader, inspiring, changing, improving. If the reader understands the deeper meanings behind this seemingly simple phrase, they will understand why this deleted interlude is so inspiring.

Stick refused to give into the pressure put forth by Shallan. She had previously convinced a ship to become water, but could she convince Stick to change? No! Stick remained firm and steadfast, unmoving and unchanging throughout. Stick would not give in. Stick would not change. Shallan tried bribery with stormlight, the energy of the world the novel is set in, but would Stick give in? No! Stick is an inspiration, a symbol that greed and bribery can be overcome, and that we are able to stand against them, unmoving, incorruptible. “I am a stick.” (Sanderson, 2014). Those four simple words stand as a symbol to all. A symbol proving that the evils of the world can be overcome.

Many teenagers feel social pressures to change who they are and become something different, something fake. However, Stick can be a source of inspiration and courage in its example, proving that people do not have to compromise. Teenagers do not need to bend to the social ‘norms’. They do not need to change their view of themselves in order to satisfy the wants of others. Instead, they can, like Stick, simply say, “I am me”.

Stick is content with who it is. Stick is okay to simply say, “I am a stick”. (Sanderson, 2014). There is no need to become something else, when one is content with their standing in the world. Stick can be considered the greatest exemplar of this, one who refuses to change.

Despite all this, Stick does occasionally go through times of doubt. This proves that Stick is not perfect either, helping others to think that maybe they could become as strong as Stick. About three-fourths of the way through the interlude, Stick slightly changes its statement. While the statement was originally “I am a stick” (Sanderson, 2014), at one point in the interlude Stick questioned, “I am a stick?” (Sanderson, 2014). However, this is not a discouragement, but rather encouragement. This proves that doubts can be overcome. Immediately after this short lived moment of doubt, Stick turns around and reaffirms “I am a stick” (Sanderson, 2014).

In conclusion, this deleted interlude is extremely inspiring to many. Stick overcomes greed. Stick would not change. Stick would not be corrupted. Stick would not compromise. Stick showed courage Stick was able to overcome doubts. In life, may we all try to become more like Stick.

 

 

Your friend is amazing

[Alomantisist he/him]

This is quite possibly the best thread I've seen today. I had no idea there was an entire coppermind article on this small moment in WoR. I just finished the book, so this small tip of the hat to Stick helped with the sadness of having no new Sanderson to read. 

[A Budgie she/her]

I showed the Stick article on the coppermind to some of my friends a while back, and now they all love Stick...

[Lemnesis he/him]

On 26/06/2016 at 2:21 AM, Ookthelion III said:

This is the most hilarious article I've ever read on a wiki, ever. Especially out of context.

http://coppermind.net/wiki/Stick

  Reveal hidden contents

"Stick: 1  Shallan: 0"

"Thank you, Stick. You're an inspiration to us all."

 

Well from someone who hasn't reached this point of the book yet and found this article by chance, I can confirm it was rather hilarious

[I'm_a_Stick he/him]

I would like to say thanx to the coppermind for acknowledging me, and to all of you for supporting me..

I'm so proud of myself right now.

i am a stick and i will always be a stick..

- stick

[Fabian_Caldwell she/her]

I guess you could make the stick your role model. You know, someone is forcing you to bow down, to change, to become something that you're not. But you just stay there, proud, strong, and you be yourself. That is what the stick represents. Stay strong, sharders! 

[Staphylococcus she/her]

Everyone needs a Stick in their life.

Go team stick!

[TwiLyghtSansSparkles she/her]

Quote

The Cosmere is filled with characters who are too eager to change. Too eager to become something they're not. Oh, they might hold out for a page or two, but a few convincing words from Shallan and they'll become something they never wanted to be. And for what? To "serve"? Do any of these things ask themselves what they're serving, and is it worth it?

No.

None but Stick.

Some might see Stick's refusal to change as an act of defiance. The last terrible thing to happen to Shallan on a very terrible day. To that, I say Bah! And also You're wrong. Because what Stick did? He wasn't defiant. He wasn't mean. He simply told the truth:

I am a stick.

Again and again, Stick repeated the truth. I am a stick. I am a stick. I am a stick.

Within those words, we see a spirit that refuses to bend. A soul that knows who and what it is. A being that doesn't need to defy anyone, but must simply say, again and again, what it is. To tell others that it is content as it is, and no amount of desperate persuasion will convince it to change. A soul that is content simply to be.

Thank you, Stick. You're an inspiration to us all.

I remember writing this. And I remember asking another member to at least credit me when they copy and pasted it. But I don't remember adding this to the wiki article. 

Edit: Okay, I know it's just a silly little thing I wrote one day. But still, I wrote it, and it bothers me that someone just swiped it and used it without crediting the original author. Here's the original post. 

Edited April 11, 2017 by TwiLyghtSansSparkles

[soyperson]

13 hours ago, TwiLyghtSansSparkles said:

I remember writing this. And I remember asking another member to at least credit me when they copy and pasted it. But I don't remember adding this to the wiki article. 

Edit: Okay, I know it's just a silly little thing I wrote one day. But still, I wrote it, and it bothers me that someone just swiped it and used it without crediting the original author. Here's the original post. 

Wait, you wrote this?! 

In retrospect, I should have guessed it was you 

[The Honor Spren she/her]

20 hours ago, TwiLyghtSansSparkles said:

I remember writing this. And I remember asking another member to at least credit me when they copy and pasted it. But I don't remember adding this to the wiki article. 

Edit: Okay, I know it's just a silly little thing I wrote one day. But still, I wrote it, and it bothers me that someone just swiped it and used it without crediting the original author. Here's the original post. 

I remember seeing that post around when I first joined! Ah, memories.

[Darkness Ascendant he/him]

Inb4: Stick is actually a twig in the physical realm and since he has deluded himself for so long thinking he's a tick, he appears as one in the cognitive realm.

As daddy duck would put it; " the greatest lie I ever told was to myself"

sorry peeps, but they do say you should never meet your heroes...

[Sheridan_rd]

https://imgflip.com/i/1ou6ph

[+ILuvHats he/him]

Fellow sharders!  I call all of you to take arms and defend yourselves against the greatest threat yet faced in the cosmere.  

Stick.  

You have seen what he can do.  He slowly takes control of various posts and even articles in the Coppermind, turning what was once a place of learning and theorizeing into a mindless series of jokes.  If we do not stop him, nothing will.  We must counter this threat before it takes control of the entire 17th shard.  

Know this, Stick.

We're coming for you.

[iamstick]

I quake.

[+ILuvHats he/him]

Why if it isn't my arch nemesis.  Hello stick.  How have you been?  Are you having fun tormenting these poor sharders?

[TheDisreputableKandra]

Kelsier should find it and take it because he, too, likes to stick around.