Chaos Posted June 2, 2014 Report Share Posted June 2, 2014 Hey guys. I want Featured Theories to be a thing again, and though I have a few theories that I'd like to post to the main page, maybe you can help. If you see a theory you'd like featured on the main page, post it here. Let's keep it so you don't post your own theory here; someone else has to. I may not post theories that appear here on to the main page, but it would be really helpful so I don't miss out on cool stuff, so post things that especially impressed you! I think what I'll do is, prior to posting them to the main page, I'll PM the theory author and see if they want to make any revisions before I post it. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kobold King Posted June 2, 2014 Report Share Posted June 2, 2014 Wow, Featured Theories would be awesome! I'm sadly a little out of touch with the best theories, but FeatherWriter's Rosharan Afterlife Theory is awesome and excellently put-together. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A Joe in the Bush Posted June 2, 2014 Report Share Posted June 2, 2014 Start with Tempus' Shardic Numbers Theory. It's Technically 3 theories, but they're all related. Part 1 Shards Part 2 Meshing Part 3 Bollocks That's right. It's all about Bollocks. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Khyrindor Posted June 2, 2014 Report Share Posted June 2, 2014 http://www.17thshard.com/forum/topic/8859-theory-tanavast-changed-surgebinding/ I love this theory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tempus Posted June 2, 2014 Report Share Posted June 2, 2014 What criteria are you looking for in particular, Chaos? I have a small list of theories that I can conveniently recommend. Craft? Plausibility? Popularity? Bizarreness? Scientific? Fanciful? Inspiring? Important? Are you only looking for recentish theories (past week or two, or post WoR), or anytime is good? I'd be glad to throw some out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaos Posted June 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2014 Oh right. I probably should have stated some criteria. I want well cited theories that come up with rational conclusions given the evidence presented. Since these go on the main page, I want to read the theory and think "Yeah, that seems plausible. Good job." Generally post Words of Radiance would be preferable, simply because we got a wealth of new knowledge (plenty pre-WoR crazy theories are invalid now), but it doesn't have to be. They can be anything, not just Stormlight, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tempus Posted June 2, 2014 Report Share Posted June 2, 2014 Well, excluding my own theories, which are certainly incredibly awesome and amazing, and probably deserve International awards, I'd like to recommend... Rhythms in the Cosmere, a theory about music and Investiture and a nice list of examples, with a focus on Parshendi. It's by Terisen, who joined very recently, but who is very impressive in their theories and responses to other theories. The Listeners are the Pre-Shattering Native Inhabitants of Roshar, a theory that that the Parshendi predate humanity on Roshar, by NutiketAiel. Relevant to WoR and a solid theory with a good discussion in general. Fabrials (Everyone's Got Them!), a theory about Investiture Technologies by Moogle. A good theory, but requires familiarity with other theories so not necessarily the best choice to begin with. Physics and the Cosmere is a great technical discussion and back and forth on just what the title says, by FirstSelector. It's a little dense, but very interesting. Magic Fuel, while the original post is not particularly long or well cited, it's discussing what I think might be one of the most important correlations and aspects of Investiture that we've overlooked as a community, and I fully intend to come back to this again with more theories in the future. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaos Posted June 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2014 Nice, thanks guys. Some of these I've seen, some I haven't. Keep them coming! And honestly, if you post a list of other theories, I'm okay with you suggesting your own theories too. Again, this topic is just a convenient way for me to keep a pulse on awesome theories. So Tempus, feel free to link some my way too. Another criterion I did not mention would be the concept of how "valuable" a theory would be. Theories that really impress me either solve an existing problem, or reveal a problem that already exists. In other words, theories that do something, and add to our collective theoretical knowledge, are best, and hence have value. So for these Featured Theories, I'd like them to have this sort of value. Something important to think about, and maybe proposing a solution too. Does that make sense? Lots of the theories linked here have value, so we're good. Just wanted to clarify criteria on what impresses me. (Which, to be fair, I'm a theorizer and I have my own biases. If there's something I skip over, maybe Weiry or Windy will persuade me that a given theory should be featured.) I don't think I'm going to post here whether or not I'll feature a theory--that, I feel, might make the thread a bit argumentative, but not all the theories you list will be featured. But this is extraordinarily helpful already. It is also very good that four theories I already wanted to add were things linked here I'm thinking this series will be a weekly-ish thing. Depending on how many theories there are to feature, like months down the line, they may get more sparing, but maybe we'll have it on a consistent weekly basis. (And why yes, I am thinking of "what the heck are we going to do with the front page once Splintercast finishes this month.") 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurkistan Posted June 2, 2014 Report Share Posted June 2, 2014 Here are a few that I culled from my sig: Shardic Future Sight (I see you espouse that one too, so...) Physical Color is not the Fuel for Awakening --- And if we're allowed to toot out own horns... Well, you see... unless I'm more biased than usual, my "Form" theories are kind of just... right. To a large extent. These "ideals" seem a rather crucial part of potentially quite a few magic systems that many might not be aware of, then. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaos Posted June 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2014 Thanks Kurk! It also seems to me that our original Featured Theories (back in, uggggh, 2012, jeez) run is missing some essential conceptual theories. Maybe before we start the new run of featuring theories, there should be a week where we post a few important groundwork theories. Maybe it'd be called "The Essentials". Featured Theories has gone over basics on Worldhoppers and some basic Realmatics. What else should be included in a group of "Essential" theories? I'm kind of thinking at the very least, Principle of Intent and Shardic Future Sight. Simple concepts that could use extra highlighting. What else would be in that category? (Speaking of which, maybe "Featured Theories" needs a way snappier name, while we're at it...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurkistan Posted June 2, 2014 Report Share Posted June 2, 2014 Don't forget Everything has Three Aspects. That one's so storming foundational that I didn't realize how little backing it had for quite a while. --- As for names... "Theory Spotlight"? I got nothin'. --- To continue horn-tooting: You know, there's a lot of confusion about time bubbles... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaos Posted June 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2014 Don't forget Everything has Three Aspects. That one's so storming foundational that I didn't realize how little backing it had for quite a while. --- As for names... "Theory Spotlight"? I got nothin'. --- To continue horn-tooting: You know, there's a lot of confusion about time bubbles... That first one is basically canon at this point! Haha. And wait... I'm supposed to care about time bubbles? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurkistan Posted June 2, 2014 Report Share Posted June 2, 2014 And wait... I'm supposed to care about time bubbles? EVERYONE is supposed to care about TIME BUBBLES!!!!!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaos Posted June 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2014 EVERYONE is supposed to care about TIME BUBBLES!!!!!! Meh Like Feruchemical iron, words cannot describe how little I care about theorizing on those subjects XD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tempus Posted June 2, 2014 Report Share Posted June 2, 2014 Well, if we're talking about foundational theories, irrespective of age... The Principle of Intent is a no brainer, Everything has Three Aspects is important but needs updating. Nepene's Collective Unconsciousness is one to consider, Splinters have their own Intent by Mad_Scientist is the first instance of this and is something that has become both more certain and more important. Kurk's Form Theories are definitely important, but I'm not sure which to present. Visualization of Realmatics by Krelian/Kurk comes to mind as an accessible way of presenting it, but the post itself is a large quote. KChan's Devotion, Dominion, and Magic on Sel is the definitive Selish theory. Skaa's A code monkey's thoughts on Realmatic Theory is a unique perspective on the topic that is both sensical, intriguing, and is something a lot of readers might be able to identify with. Aether's The Effects of Squirearchy is pertinent to the ending of Words of Radiance and the upcoming Stormlight books, and is something most people don't consider. As for my own theories, Investiture as a Spiritual Radiation is not a fully developed theory, but it's the best simple overview of Investiture as a term that there is on the Cosmere boards in one place - I've read the vast majority of it, so I can vouch for that. Measuring the chronology of the Cosmere by technology is probably not too important, but it is cool and I made a pretty chart, and people love to discuss tech levels and the various interpretations we can have on em'. There were only nine Desolations is my premiere Roshar theory. It is probably going to be wrong, but it makes so much sense that I'll be disappointed when it is. My recent three part Shardic Number Series (which was linked above by Joe) is nicely formatted, and covers something people talk about a lot, but is also rather long, haha. I'll stop pimping my theories at that maybe, though Zahel has good Breath is a theory which addresses the idea of how Vasher uses Stormlight that everyone was wondering about... Okay, stopping for real. Lastly, FTL on Scadrial is a hot and unusual topic that interests many people, that we've got quite a few theories floating around for. Pick a couple or ask for an overview, would make for a good discussion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeiryWriter Posted June 2, 2014 Report Share Posted June 2, 2014 A certain Magical Technology on Scadrial theory is pretty good. I would say it is one of the leading theory about the mechanical Metallic Arts. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaos Posted June 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2014 (edited) Kerry's Selish theory is definitely on the docket, that's for sure. I'd completely forgotten about Splinters have their own intent theory, thanks for reminding me! Though I suppose since you've pretty much indexed most everything, you'd know Maybe I'll rewrite the Everything Has Three Aspects post. I think for the Essentials, and keeping it Shardy, I'll stick with Principle of Intent, Shardic Future Sight, and Splinters Have Their Own Intent. Maybe finishing up with Everything has three parts. And as it happens, my mist fabrial post was also on the docket This does make me feel better about not being favoritist, though. Edited June 2, 2014 by Chaos 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurkistan Posted June 2, 2014 Report Share Posted June 2, 2014 *Continuing the horn-tooting with zero signs of shame* Also, while I need to go back over the thing with a hammer and some glue, I think it fair to say that several concepts from the MEC have managed to parasitically worm their way into our general conception of Relmatics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Khyrindor Posted June 2, 2014 Report Share Posted June 2, 2014 You might also want to have a permanent thing on the Front page for the Cosmere 101 thread, to make it just a bit easier to find. Just a thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaos Posted June 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2014 (edited) You might also want to have a permanent thing on the Front page for the Cosmere 101 thread, to make it just a bit easier to find. Just a thought. Not a bad idea. I might add that to the links section. If there's more theoretical stuff on the main page, maybe I could have a Theory home page. That's probably a more long term thing. Things for me to think about... EDIT: I have added these things to the Links dropdown. Much better Edited June 2, 2014 by Chaos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashiok Posted June 2, 2014 Report Share Posted June 2, 2014 The EPIC GOD METAL thread Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaos Posted June 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 3, 2014 I've grabbed a bunch of theories and stuff, and it's going to be fun. There was one I made which I completely forgot I even wrote XD Currently--aside from the essentials--there are twelve theories lined up for this, which is pretty crazy awesome. I'm trying to decide on the order I want them in. And there's a few more that are less high priority that will be on this list too. Maybe we can get this being weekly for all year... And Weiry! I haven't heard from you, but I've added one of yours to the docket. What theories would you like me to feature? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeiryWriter Posted June 3, 2014 Report Share Posted June 3, 2014 And Weiry! I haven't heard from you, but I've added one of yours to the docket. What theories would you like me to feature? I think the "Adonalsium cannot be put back together" is my only theory that fits the criterion for it to be "valuable". The Shardic Radiation one might have but that's been pretty much killed. I've been meaning to give the Adonalsium one a revamp but I just haven't had the time to work on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaos Posted June 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 3, 2014 Well, I've put it on the docket, and I'll let you know about when that'd be coming up so you have time to revise it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifth of Daybreak Posted June 4, 2014 Report Share Posted June 4, 2014 For WoR, I very much enjoyed the "Was Heleran a Surgebinder?" thread. While it didn't necessarily start off with a theory, the discussion in there is great, and I feel that Helaran is one of the bigger mysteries in WoR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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