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The Meeting of Infinite Stairs by Christopher Alan

Meeting of the infinite Staircase

THE MEETING OF INFINITE STAIRS

Christopher Alan


During my ever-continuing travels upon these infinite stairs, which from some common experience or phenomena I take it we all come to understand more or less equally, my moment of surprise and all emotions within it came as I rose from the curvature below, and passed another traveler on his way down.
It should be said there was nothing but these stairs, no hallway, no bottle or box in which to place them, the outside everything a pleasant color, though I should not say so with any importance, having only the knowledge of each next step to rely on. So in coming upon the other traveler, coincidentally human and like myself (against what baseline I am not sure), I also came upon my first interaction with another thing, I should think. We stopped halfway between his last landing and my own.

“Hello,” he said, unsurprised, an advantage perhaps, and removed his hat. His clothes, like mine, seemed an unquestioned constant, one I am still strangely unworried about.

“Hi,” I said. I believed myself the younger, him walking down already (which posed to me the possibility of turning around, another thing which I have never tried and am unbothered by, but would not recommend, for reasons foreign to me), and as he seemed content to leave our conversation at that, the monumental weight of the meeting fell to me.

“I’ve never seen anyone,” I said, and I believe I said it quite awkwardly.

“Really?” he said, smiling, “Now that you mention it, I haven’t seen anyone in some time.”

“How long?”

“I have no idea.”

The obviousness of it grated against my waning gratitude for the moment’s impossibility, the shared language, and culture or lack thereof, and the rest. The questions I could have asked were endless, but pointless perhaps.

“Well what was he like?” I said.

“He was much like the two of us,” said the man, “younger even.” (Younger above me!) “Not much of a talker. I suppose he’d seen plenty of people. Say, I do think it’s rare that this is your first. The pleasure is mine. A.”

He shook my hand, not until the closing of which did I realize he took A to mean his name.

“A?”

“The first I saw,” he said. “Have to start somewhere, be something, don’t I? Can’t just go around being a … ”

He looked at me suspiciously, considering that I might be a …

“Y,” I said, having thought it up on the spot, having always known.

“Fine name,” he said, “fine as any. Any as fine as any.”

I nodded, knowing no more topics of conversation, though it should be of note that I may only not remember. I might remember only a single curve, or every curve, the two being the same with the exception of this singular meeting.

“This may be strange,” I said, “but I have no protocol for… is there anything you can tell me?”

“About what?” he said.

“About anything! You must understand, I have never met anyone.”

“Well I could tell you about plenty,” he said, “I could tell you the way I came from … ”

We looked up the center column, the pleasant colored “I” at the end never changing in size or distance to my memory, and then down to the same.

“…But you’d end up there soon enough,” he said. “And I suppose you could tell me the same, but then I’d soon know it too. Or suppose it isn’t the same anymore or one of us misrepresents it and then we’ve betrayed the whole idea altogether. No, it’s never occurred to me to tell anyone something.”

“Well I’ve had nothing to tell,” I told him, “this same stair, this one, is all I could describe. Always the same marks, the same grey, except for you.

You’ve really messed up a whole hell of a lot, if you’ll excuse my saying so.”

“I wouldn’t say so,” he said, “Nothing’s changed, save the thing you were mistaken about to begin with.”

“Look, I’m not saying there’s a way to feel about it. It’s just that I might not see someone again for a very long time. How long I’m not sure but … I’d like something new to know, just so I could think about it a while as I walked, in case I have time for something like that.”
He looked out, as though watching something fly through it, across it, into or out of it, as I might upon standing atop the highest stair, and for some time hummed (hmm’ed) to himself. It was a beautiful thing, thinking of the things he must know.

“Do you remember when you started walking?” he said, not looking at me still. “Where or why you started walking?”

“No,” I said, hopeful that he might answer beyond everything I’d expected, “no I don’t. Please.”

“Neither do I,” he said. “But there sure are a lot of us, aren’t there?”

Then he pulled from his pocket a wheel on a string (a thing on a thing) and dropped it over the edge, only to pull it back again against gravity. A yo-yo it said on the side, yo-yo, up down, up down, in his hand again, new to me.

“There are things on occasion,” he said. “Wonderful when you find one. Nothing else compares to … well seeing you I say is quite exceptional though. Things finding things, certainly rare.”

He handed it to me and I admired it, perhaps tacky and of some unknown light substance, my favorite thing in the world. And then he took it back, and I felt for the first time a void there.

He waited for me to say more, A, as though he had learned nothing himself but had thoroughly enjoyed it, or I should hope so. I suppose I had, attaching a feeling to it as a whole in its ending, and we danced shifting circles around the square in preparation of leaving along our opposite stairs.

“There is one thing,” he said, “if you’d really like something to know.”

Eternally indebted already, I begged and thanked him for it together, and he answered almost flippantly, “We’re on the underside,” and then he touched the tip of his hat and descended into and out of my known world. And still I do not know how he knew it.

Food for Thought


The Meeting of Infinite Stairs deals with the possibility or impossibility of objective knowledge, as two travelers, A and Y, attempt to discover through conversation the nature of life (represented through their “ever-continuing travels upon infinite stairs) and of being. The older traveler, A, does not believe such discovery is possible through conversation, and raises deconstructionist objections regarding one’s inability to represent the true nature of something (the signified) through language (the signifier.) A’s final statements lead us to further question the initial assumptions made about the nature of the stairs, and highlight, in his opinion, the absurd nature of Y’s request.

About the Author


Christopher Alan is a writer, filmmaker, and artist living in Los Angeles, CA. He is a former philosophy and public affairs major and graduate of Claremont McKenna College, and is currently working on his first novel. When not engaged in the arts or dead-end jobs, he enjoys traveling and being in nature.

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The schedule to look forward to

The plan for Sci Phi Journal is to have 2 new items each week, a free item on Mondays and a subscriber only item on Fridays. There will also be book reviews and short films posted on Thursdays on alternating weeks and general news and updates posted on Tuesdays. When the patronage grows sufficiently I will add items on the Wednesdays.
All current subscribers should have an email from sci phi journal about how to activate your account. If you haven’t received it or you would like a different username or some other correction please contact editor@sciphijournal.com
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Nearly ready for the launch and other news

So I nearly have everything ready for the launch. Current Patrons should have received emails with their registration information and if you want to join head over to Patreon and pledge now.
I am way behind on the reading I need to do and I am also quite behind on responding to submission emails. Sorry if you are waiting I will get there, the launch is taking up the time I have at the moment.
Thanks to everybody who has helped and supported the magazine and I am looking forward to a bright future!

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Finally some news

Sorry to disappear from the world for a month and a bit, also sorry to people waiting for replies on things. Everything in my life fell apart a bit but things are getting back on track.
The new website is getting done and I expect to launch the new magazine on the 4th of January. Subscribers can look for an email shortly and if you want to subscribe go over to our Patreon page and pledge. Ignore the current reward levels, they will be redone shortly. Pledges from $4 will help feed authors and put you in the draw for rewards each month.

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Issue #8 is out

Issue #8_800pix
Sci Phi is an online science fiction and philosophy magazine. In each issue you will find stories that explore questions of life, the universe and everything and articles that delve into the deep philosophical waters of science fiction universes.
Flash Fiction
I Clink, Therefore I am by Edward M. Lerner
The Trade’s On by J’nae Rae Spano
Be Careful When You Wish For by L.P. Melling
Stories
reBirth by Katharine Gripp
The Pondering Pacifist by John Kaniecki
Walk by Gunnar De Winter
They Shall Be As Gods by John Rovito
Articles
A Requiem for the Harlequin: Two Perspectives on Time, and a Celebration of Kairos, in Three Stories by Harlan Ellison by Michael Spence
Riding a White Horse: Manliness and Liberation in Roger Zelazny’s “The Lord of Light” by Patrick S. Baker
The Problem with the Problem of Susan by Anthony Marchetta
The Mote in God’s I: The Temptation of Samuel Vimes by G. Scott Huggins
Serial
Beyond the Mist by Ben Zwycky continues with our protagonist pushing ever onward.
Places Where the Roads Don’t Go by Michael F. Flynn brings to us a new serial that explores the nature of the mind and whether hard A.I is possible.
And a book review by Mike Phelps

[easyazon_link asin=”B017AMBSE2″ locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”superversivesf-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]Amazon[/easyazon_link] Print

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More news on the future and Issue #8 any day now

First up, sorry I didn’t contact everyone in the submission queue yet about the change of terms. If you would like to withdraw a submission I understand and to those who have expressed interest in sticking with me, thank you very much.
I’ve also been slow on processing new submissions, with everything going on i’ve been really busy but I will get to them in the next week. Sorry and thank you for your patience.
Good news, the new format is coming together and I expect to get it launched in January in place of Issue #9, more details to follow as they become available.
Issue #8 next weekend, worst case.

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News, the future and Issue #8

First I would like to say thank you so much to everybody who kicked in some cash, bought a copy or subscribed via Patreon. I can’t express how much this show of support encourages me. Please accept my most heartfelt thanks.
That being said, the finances for the magazine aren’t working out and last week I was faced with one of three choices.

  1. Close up shop
  2. Switch to publishing less often, paying in aussie dollars or reducing rates to semi-pro
  3. Something else!

It seemd like #2 was the same as #1 in slow motion so I ended up rejecting that option. I’m going with #3, Something else! Issue #8 will be the last issue published under the current arrangement and starting in January next year the magazine will be going to a more sustainable format. We will be moving to publishing stories online, 2 items a week to start with (stories or articles) and 1 book review. One item each week will be free for anybody to read and the second item each week will be available to subscribers. Subscriptions will start at $4 a month and as subscription targets are met the number of items will increase to 5 items a fortnight and then 3 a week.
Why subscribe? Apart from the subscribers exclusive item, subscribers will get the option of having items delivered in the ebook format of their choice via email (EPUB/MOBI/HTML/PDF/ask) as well as the option of a monthly bundled edition. We will still be doing the print version of the magazine with best of stories from the previous six months collated and illustrated in the print volume that will be available to subscribers at a discount. Subscribers will also be eligible for access to exclusive forums, t-shirt, poster and other giveaways and an occasional give away of original Cat Leonard Sci Phi arts works. Subscriptions over $4 will also provide for some exclusive giveaways.
Another reason to subscribe? It feeds authors. Your subscription dollar will be divided up as follows, 20% will be used to cover over heads and fun future plans, 20% will go to feed our first readers and editors and 40% will be distributed to the writers published that month. The final 20% will be paid to the writers from previous months for 6 months while their stories remain on the site. The bigger the subscription the more you feed the authors! I have pitched this to the existing stable of authors and most of them are on board.
Onward to Issue #8 and a bright future for Sci Phi!

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Some news and a request

Issue #8 is coming together at the moment and should be with you soon. I’m considering some changes moving forward with the magazine. I’d like to keep producing it but the financial burden is putting a strain on things. So in the interests of not having to close the magazine down I am considering the following options and would ask readers to consider some of the following options and let me know what you think.

  1. Change the payscale of the magazine from US$0.05c a word to AUD$0.06c a word. This would make the cost of each issue more predictable and less at the mercy of the exchange rate.
  2. Change the magazine from Bi-Monthly to Quaterly

These options would help control costs better and reduce some of the burden.
Additionally there are a few things fans of the magazine can do to help keep everything running.

  1. Consider a one off or regular donation to the magazine. There is a donate button on the right and all donations will be used to help keep the magazine afloat. Even $5 here and there will help
  2. Subscribe for the Ebook copy of the magazine, perhaps offering a higher than suggested patreon contribution for the Ebook. This will help keep finances predictable
  3. Mention the magazine to friends, colleagues and on social media or blogs. One of the things we struggle with is exposure so the more of that we can get the better. This should translate into readership and therefore sales. This will sovle the problem ultimately.
  4. Write a review on Amazon. More positive reviews and rating will help boost the magazine profile.
  5. Anything else you can think of. Let me know if I can help

Thanks to those who have already donated.
Thanks for reading and thanks in advance for any support you can offer.

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One Star by Matthew Hance, our first Sci Phi Single

[easyazon_image add_to_cart=”default” align=”left” asin=”B0168G5WJ8″ cloaking=”default” height=”500″ localization=”default” locale=”US” nofollow=”default” new_window=”default” src=”http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51sQ%2BcS72ML.jpg” tag=”superversivesf-20″ width=”353″]Check out our first Sci Phi Single. One Star is a tale of a near dystopian future where people are rated in the same way we now rate restaurants and hotels. Matthew Hance shows us what the future might be light in a world where apps like Peeple become a reality. Get [easyazon_link asin=”B0168G5WJ8″ locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”superversivesf-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]One Star now for 99c[/easyazon_link] from Amazon.
Sci Phi Singles is a new product line from Sci Phi Publications. A short stories series that will keep you going between issues. Sci Phi Singles are also a free perk for Subscribers.

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Issue 8 and other news

Issue #8 is coming together, I can tease the cover and the table of contents. I also have some other news, I have a new product idea that I am going to try called a Sci Phi Single. Expect more information shortly. It will be a 99c topical short story available through Amazon. This feature will be free to subscribers and you can still Subscribe.
Issue #8_800pix

Flash

  • I clink therefore I am by Edward M. Lerner
  • The Trade’s On by J’nae Rae Spano
  • Be Careful When You Wish For by Lee Melling

Stories

  • Walk by Gunnar De Winter
  • They Shall Be As Gods by John Rovito
  • The Pondering Pacifist by John Kaniecki
  • reBirth by Katharine Gripp
  • Articles

    • Requiem for a Harlequin by Michael S. Spence
    • Riding a White Horse by Patrick S. Baker
    • The Problem with the Problem of Susan by Anthony Marchetta

    Columns

    • The Temptation of Samuel Vimes by Scott Huggins

    Serials

    • Beyond the Mist by Ben Zwycky
    • Where Roads Dont Go by Mike Flynn
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More news and gorgeous art to share!

Things continue to come together and I should have the final lineup for Issue #8 soon, and will release that when I have it. Also, if you have enjoyed any issues of Sci Phi please write a review and rate the magazine over at Amazon. We got a good review in Tangent Online for
[easyazon_link asin=”B014HANTRE” locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”superversivesf-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]Sci Phi Journal #7[/easyazon_link]
In other news, we have some new merchandise over at red bubble, check that out if you would like a t-shirt or one of the many things Red Bubble will print on. When I have a few more issues out i’m going to get Cat to help and do an offical Sci Phi doona cover with all of the issue covers on it. I’m getting one even if I am the only one!
Finally, Cat has done the first in a wonderful series of awesome. Check it out, she has illustrated Gregg Chamberlain’s story “When things go wobbly” from [easyazon_link asin=”0994175833″ locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”superversivesf-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]Issue #3[/easyazon_link]
You can get a large version of it here. I’d encourage you to share the image around on social media if you enjoy the magazine. We are planning to do more, please let us know what you think
When things go wobbly promo_800pix.

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More news

fc,800x800,grass_greenThings are starting to proceed for Issue #8 and I am making good headway on the final read pile. Thank you everybody for your patience with out treacle slow submission process. I will be working on some more this week and I will be getting emails out to people with final answers as I have them. We will be launching a new feature next week, a weekly sneak preview of issues with stories and artwork. I’m also looking into different options for further advertising and ways of keeping the magazine going. If you do enjoy it please mention it to your friends and write a review on Amazon! Also, Like our facebook page and share it with your friends, every little bit helps.
Also, to help keep things going I’ve added a donate button on the right hand side. If you would like to kick a few dollars in to help keep things running the money will be put towards paying authors, any amount will help. The goal is to get to the point where this is unnecessary but while things are still growing any help would be greatly appreciated.
Finally, I will be attending Oz Comicon in Sydney on the 25/26th of September. I will be the guy is the snazzy new green Sci Phi Journal tshirt wandering around. On the off chance anybody who reads will be in Sydney shoot me an email editor@sciphijournal.com so we can meet up!

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Issue #8 is off and running and other news

So Issues #7 is out the door, and Issue #8 has started production. I am even finally on top of my “to read” pile and it has shurnk from 20+ to 6 as of this morning. I will be sending emails on Saturday morning to people. I also have about 30 submissions sitting in my “to process” pile, sorry for the delay in responding to them, that will be done Saturday morning as well. I also have more first readers so we should be getting through the submissions soon.
For someone who has submitted a story, (first in! editor@sciphijournal.com) I am looking for someone to give me a quick hand with the submission system so people can track the status themselves. Maybe we will even work towards automatically letting people submit. So, could someone waiting on an answer please shoot me an email if you are happy to be the guinea pig. It shouldn’t effect anything and shouldn’t take long but it will help make submissions more transparent and easier to track.
Finally, had another story withdrawn because someone didn’t want to be involved with Vox Day and Castalia House. Neither have anything to do with the publication apart from reselling it through the Castalia House Store. It’s fine, if people want to be short sighted they can be, but it is just weird and I don’t get it.

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Issue #7 is available now!

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This issue marks the 1 year anniversary of Sci Phi Journal and we are back again with more great stories and articles.
Flash Fiction

  • The God Machine by Kat Hunter, a short tale of the perils of technology.

Stories

  • Ghostwritten by Sean Ead’s, wonders about the source of the muses? Sean takes us on a journey to find out
  • Like Soldiers, Face to our Foes by Patrick S. Baker, explores questions of the nature of war and what it means to be a soldier
  • Pawprints in the Aeolian Dust by Eleanor R. Wood, a tale of a man and his dog and the relationship between our compaions and us
  • Golgotha by Elan J. Grossman, on the nature of being and sacrifice
  • Shell Game by Keiran Sterling Holmes, a tale of man and minds and what are the limits and nature of consciousness

Articles

  • Mad Max: Fury Road – Surrounded by Political Sound and Fury Signifying Nothing by Jeff Racho, what really was the message of this film?
  • The Mote in God’s “I” by Scott Huggins, what is the nature of free will and is is compatible with omniscience?
  • Mourn for Morbius by Lou Antonelli, what is the nature of faith and life and how do you get through it?
  • A Theory of Deja Vu by Curtis Lee Cancino, What is going on when you are struck by Deja Vu?
  • On the Influence of Emotion Drugs on History by Jeffrey A. Corkern, The concluding part of his series on the nature of the soul

Serial

  • Beyond the Mist continues with our protagonist pushing ever onward and we learn our protagonists name in this installment
  • Places Where the Roads Don’t Go by Michael F. Flynn brings to us a new serial that explores the nature of the mind and whether hard A.I is possible.

And a book reviews by Peter Sean Bradley and Mike Phelps
Get it on Kindle, EPUB/MOBI and Paper

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