Infection

I am not sure which of the various Slenderbloggers first posed the theory that the creature himself is a mind virus, but I am rather sure that I agree.  My own interaction with the mythos is likely why I believe this to be so.

My first contact with the Slenderman was on 4chan's /x/.  There was nothing but the original explanation (tall, slender suited man who is seen before the disappearances of children), along with a few of the original shopped pictures and a disclaimer that this was something created on the Something Awful forums.  At least, that is how I recall it.  I must confess that my memory has never been too keen on dates, so this could have been any time in the past two years (more likely the end of 2009/beginning of 2010, but I am unsure).  It seems like forever ago.

In any case, I looked over the pasta and moved on, not finding anything of any particular importance about it.  However, during the end of the Spring 2010 semester at my university, I started noticing a peculiar symbol cropping up in odd places.  The symbol was drawn in chalk, usually.  (I assumed that this was done to avoid any fines for graffiti, as the rain would wash it away.)  As time went by, the symbol began to show up in places that the rain couldn't reach--still in chalk, mind you.  Obviously, it was meant to be seen.

I spent many a day wandering past this symbol, wondering what exactly it meant and why it was so widespread.  What was so important about a circle with an "x" through it?  I was curious, but not curious enough to actively pursue an answer.  My classes demanded enough of my attention already, and I did not have any time to spare on what I presumed to either be the drunken scrawl of bored frat boys or some sort of viral marketing campaign (as so much of the chalk "art" on our campus turns out to be).  The markings disappeared--whether due to rain or with human help, I shall never know--and I eventually forgot about it.

Until I decided to start an archive of creepypasta.  I've always been a fan of horror, and short stories that are geared to invoke an emotional reaction are one of my loves.  I thought to myself, since I now have OneNote, I should save my favorite stories for further reference.  Websites can and will go down, and pages can be altered.  I should save that which I enjoy, lest it be gone next time I go to read it.

This is how I ended up rediscovering Slenderman, and inadvertently discovering the meaning behind those symbols I had been finding on campus.  In the short time since my rediscovery, I have developed what might be termed an unhealthy fixation on the mythos and the accounts of those who claim to have encountered our tall, dark, and faceless foe.

I have most definitely been infected by this mind virus, and what I am doing here is only helping to perpetuate its growth.  I do not deny that I am spreading this contagion--quite knowingly, though not without a certain amount of guilt--to whatever unlucky reader chances upon this blog.  I know of two others whom I have infected as of this moment, though one seems completely unconvinced and uninterested (thank goodness).  The one who showed interest is my proverbial partner-in-crime when it comes to odd and possibly paranormal happenings, so I do not fear for her.  We both regard the mythos with a sort of morbid curiosity, wanting to know more, possibly at the cost of our sanity (to say the least).  But I am rambling.  Best I stay on topic, lest I forget my point altogether.

I often wonder what the stages of progression are for this particular virus.  There is first contact, which involves the individual being introduced to the story of Slenderman.  The most common form of first contact these days seems to be the various YouTube channels--Marble Hornets, Tribe Twelve, EverymanHYBRID--but the blogs on the subject are a common medium of transmission as well.  Less common is the spread of the knowledge directly from person to person--whether through some sort of digital means or otherwise.  Interestingly, the person that I told face-to-face showed disbelief in the story, whereas the one I informed via electronic means has retained a sort of general curiosity.  I am tempted to intentionally mention the mythos to others and study the effects of different methods of introduction on general interest and/or involvement in the material, but there are certain ethical issues inherent in that sort of experiment that I would not be entirely comfortable dealing with.

If those who read this would please mention their first contact with the material, that would be appreciated.  I'd like to know how you came into contact with the material, as well as how long it was between your first interaction with the material and the first of any sightings you may have had.  I figure that is about as good of a starting place as any in attempting to understand this virus.  Perhaps we will be able to get some consistent data, or at least a correlation between the time it takes for symptoms to manifest and the severity of the symptoms manifesting.

Introduction

I do not claim to know anything more than what I have observed.
I do not claim to have observed all.
I am simply full of theories--some of which have been presented already by others, and some of which are truly my own.

My theories may not all be valid, and they may not all be logical.  In fact, quite a few of them operate on certain assumptions which may or may not be in the least bit valid.  Nonetheless, they are theories.

I do not participate.  I watch, and I wonder.
I do not sit idly by.  I thirst for knowledge.

I do not claim to be part of that select group of Named Individuals.  I have no Title.  I merely watch.
I do not fear, therefore I am not a target.  Perhaps some day I will fear, once my knowledge of the Foe is complete.  For now, I do not fear.


Cryptic, yes.  Poetic, perhaps.  But it gets my point across.  I am not one who has seen the Foe, and thus I can do no more than guess at his nature.  I observe the struggles of those who have seen him, and I learn from that which they accomplish.  Even failures allow for further theorizing.

This blog will be used for cataloging my theories.  I welcome any discussion of them, as well as any additional information anyone might have.  I do not claim to be Omega, nor could I hope to be his equal.  I am simply curious, and am using this blog as a way to express that curiosity.

That said, happy reading.