u/Jmackles

Ramble warning. You've been warned.

Greetings! I've been very mildly aware of the existence of SCP and community works from occasionally seeing glimpses of it from my Fiance's TikToks. I've been intrigued but not moved to do much. Yesterday I picked up the audiobook of "There is no Antimemetics Division" by qntm so I could still read something but save my big book for an upcoming road trip next week. What a treat.

Now I've found myself hungry for more of the same. I wonder what recommendations or suggestions y'all might have for similar books to check out that are related to the SCP Foundation or based off it.

Kudos to qntm for introducing me properly to the concept, though I have come to understand that they had to make edits to remove SCP related stuff for publishing which is understandable. I've heard people say you have to have an understanding of SCP in order to appreciate the book. As a layperson I don't believe that's true. I managed to immerse myself and enjoy it despite being quite confused at times. I think one of the best things about the "first day" motifs in the book is that you have multiple points where the POV of the narrator leaves them knowing nearly as little or less than you and so there are lots of organic catchup points that made me feel like I was in the know. I'm not sure how I feel totally about the ending, simply because I had hoped for a contrivance that somehow managed to push the needle of awareness of whatever division that comes next forward.

I think the biggest point of confusion for me was whether U-3125 was different than the giant kaiju spider thing that was on the lake being driven by the former Unthinkable dude who founded the version of the Antimemetics division that Quinn now runs (I've since looked it up. His name is Andy. Andrew Hilton). The tower of spiders (which I haven't found a satisfactory reference for aside from like those trees that get covered in spiders and look hairy, I'm thinking that but 3x as thick with a bleeding dude sitting on top?) seems to be an entirely different threat than U-3125.

During the lake scene in Chapter 3 "Unforgettable, That's what you are" Andy describes what sounds exactly like U-3125. But what emerges from Andy are the spiders. It seems clear they are using his body as a spawnpoint so long as it is in tact. Adding to the confusion is the escape method of forgetting it is similar to how they dealt with U-3125. At this point in my thoughts is where I start to think "Ok, well obviously it's simple they are one and the same you're overthinking it." But then we get to the part where Adam Quinn leaves Wyeleigh and Andrew & the Spider Friends start questioning Adam about where he was and he makes a statement indicating U-3125 and its subjects are different entities than it or Adam. I assume he's not talking about the human hosts as those are effectively all U-3125. Then again, the fact that they are capable of being reverted to their old selves a la the ultimate climax & resolution of the book could indicate that he's pointing out that he's different than the stock of hosts U-3125 occupies since he managed to resist its hold (with Sunshine's help, also RIP king you will not be missed because you are not remembered f). Seriously though any clarifying tidbits or even personal theories would be welcome.

I'm realizing I'm not going anywhere with this anymore and so will end the thread here. I'm feeling like a kid rescued from some cult who tasted candy for the first time and then sees a cool candy store and there's $50 in my pocket. SCP feels like Lovecraftian horror being crowdsourced in modern day. Fucking spectacular. Ok I'm shutting up now.