LogicalParadox - CognitoMemeSong

Item #:SCP-XXXX
Object Class: Safe
Threat Level: Blue

Special Containment Procedures:
New Procedures Pending Investigation

+ Show Rescinded Containment Procedures

All copies of the song ███████ performed by ███████ are to be destroyed, any radio stations playing it are to be served a cease and desist order by Sound City Productions a shell company that has acquired the rights to the song. All copies captured by MTF Eta-11 ("Savage Beasts") and are to be inspected for variances and destroyed.

Subjects are to be cataloged and tracked as part of standard intelligence gathering procedures. All SCP-XXXX-E subjects held by the foundation for testing are to be kept in section 42 of Site ██ quarantine containment annex.

All research staff not working with SCP-XXXX-E subjects are restricted from entering the section, and may only enter Site ██ for essential onsite instructions or clarification to ensure proper execution of new research and tests. ALL OTHER ACCESS IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN. This includes small talk, especially involving any recreational media, is strictly forbidden during said visits. Any recordings of tests or subject must be filtered, via filter program DEEPSIGHT before research staff are allowed access.

Any foundation personnel assigned to work on the administrative or research team for SCP-XXXX-E1 subjects are to be tested for exposure by [REDACTED] and then issued Class-A amnestics as required over the course of testing. No researcher should be exposed to the cognitohazard, any SCP-XXXX-E subjects, or the original song itself.

+ Show Rescinded Containment Procedures

All instances of the song ███████ performed by ███████ or ███████ are to include references to [DATA REMOVED]. Any instance of ███████ without this reference is to be reported to MTF Gamma-5 ("Red Herrings").

All SCP-XXXX-E1 subjects held by the foundation for testing are to be kept in section 42 of Site ██ standard human containment wing. Of all SCP-XXXX-E1 subjects, no more than 25% of the total allocated¹ are to be taken via traditional D-Class attainment procedures, as said individuals are typically institutionalized to the degree that subverts the test results or otherwise has unique or distorted view of authority.

Due to the prevalence of SCP-XXXX-E1 instances in the public, current policy is no longer focused on containment, but on the prevention of the progression of SCP-XXXX-E1 instances to Stage 2, as well as any social influence of any SCP-XXXX-E2. If any SCP-XXXX-E2 subject are discovered, they are to be captured, administered Class-D Amnestics, released, and tracked for no less than 6 months. Any repeatedly infected individuals, including those after the 6 month monitoring period, are to be reported and the source investigated. In cases where the SCP-XXXX-E2 is a public figure or cannot otherwise be amnestized, a misinformation campaign is to be launched insulting the subject, combined with the effects of Stage 2, this should minimize any influence in the general public. Only if the subject attempts to expose other individuals or expose them to stimulus to initiate Stage 2 should any direct action be taken.

SCP-XXXX-E1 subjects are to be cataloged and tracked as part of standard intelligence gathering procedures. As of writing, no exact figures as to how many individuals in the general population are exposed.²

Following the success of PROJECT ███████, only researchers with SCP-XXXX/4 Access must use DEEPSIGHT before reviewing any documents or results. Only SCP-SCP-XXXX Lead Researcher will be allowed access to CounterMeme details and specifics.

While it is possible to tell if the impact of PROJECT ███████ has reached all infected persons, reliable estimates place the impact at 95% of SCP-XXXX-E subjects. SCP-XXXX-E1 subjects have a 98% rate of success of inoculating to E2 progression with exposure to PROJECT ███████ stimuli within the first hour. SCP-XXXX-E2 have a 10% of regressing to E1 within the first month. After this time PROJECT ███████ will [REDACTED] until subject self terminates or seeks professional assistance, at which time the subject will typically begin displaying a E1 (Stage 1) tendencies and a mild form of PTSD associated with the song and related media.

Any attempt to further expose PROJECT ███████ is a low priority due to the cost and negligible value extracted from any such tracking or targeted action. Current resources are aimed at predicting and counteracting SCP-XXXX-E2 instances & furthering techniques to manage and maintain SCP-XXXX-E1 instances.

Doctor ███████ has left additional details for personnel with SCP-XXXX/4 Access located in Addendum-001/4 & Addendum-002/4. Newly assigned personnel with level 4 access are required to read the document before any research actions are taken concerning, or access to SCP-XXXX-E subjects, is granted.

Description:
SCP-XXXX is cognitohazard spread memetically in the song ███████ performed by ███████. It creates the impression that it has been heard before, thus causing inconsistencies within the subject memories. The cognitohazard progresses and has differing effects as the subject rationalizes, or fails to rationalize, this inconsistency.

While originally the song was released as a single in 197█ by an unknown source³, this memetic cognitohazard was first discovered by the Cognitohazard and Memetics Department on January 18th, 1976 by Doctor ███████ , and was confirmed by unanimous consensus of the 05 council September 25th, 1984 at 18:00⁴ in an emergency hearing called by an Ethics Committee inquiry.

Upon first hearing of SCP-XXXX the subject, hereafter designated SCP-XXXX-E1, immediately (within 10 seconds to 3 minutes) begin displaying Stage 1 symptoms. Exposure has the minor effect in all subjects of being a song they have heard before, from another source. Once this thought has entered the subjects mind, SCP-XXXX-E1 will then attempt to explain, external or to themselves, where they heard the song prior.

Common rationalizations are:

• Recalling old playlist or variety album (65%)
• On an unknown radio station (47%)
• Movies, TV shows, or other media that might have held a vocal free version (33%)
• An old friend’s favorite song (14%)
• A song parents listened to (9%)
• Various combinations of the above⁵ (75%)
• Descriptions song playing at social gatherings⁶ (5%)

Once SCP-XXXX-E1 has settled with any given rationalization, the subject is considered stable, so long as no contradictory information is provided to or discovered by the SCP-XXXX-E1 subject. In approximately 2.3% of all cases subjects cannot rationalize where they heard the song before and progress quickly to Stage 2, typically in 1-3 hours. This process can be reversed via counter meme techniques available to the SCP-XXXX research lead under the security guidelines set forth in the process document.

Following PROJECT ███████ Stage 1 is appears to be completely benign, and no longer able to progress to Stage 2. Stage 1 could even be considered beneficial under correct working conditions.

+ Effects of Stage 1

• Inspires feelings of contentment in the subject's place in society and daily life⁷
• Subject increasingly submissive to authority figures
• Higher personal and group productivity
• Exponentially increasing weekly when several instances are working together
• Increasingly productive inquiries, issues are universally seen by subjects to be a exciting challenge
• Communication becomes concise and personalized to individuals
• A higher resolve to follow proper process to the letter and spirit of the law or rule
• Focus on group goals over personal goals
• An idle urge to play the song for others, finding opportunities to play song unobtrusively
• Intrinsic lie detector ability⁸

These effects do not change the attitudes of the subject, but rather the amount that they are willing to trust the individuals, groups, or systems that they already recognize as an authority, this does not extend beyond the bounds of the authority in question.⁹

This strangely does not cause issues of control or corruption, tests show that in cases of blatant abuse of authority cause subjects to seek higher authorities, even at high personal cost out of a sense of obligation. This seems to suggest that the cognitohazard doesn’t inspire individual loyalty, by ideological loyalty or trust in an authority.

Stage 2 occurs when the subject is confronted on origins of song with no known origin. Typically this is triggered by a breakdown & invalidation of any and all rationalizations that the SCP-XXXX-E1 presents, this could be a simple as the person the subject believed play it for them prior corrects them, or a personal investigation as to the songs origin.¹⁰

Any attempts to trigger Stage 2 must be taken by an individual that has not been exposed to SCP-XXXX or have already progressed to Stage 2. While unlikely that an unexposed individual would do so, it is not impossible to achieve under the same conditions as a Stage 2. It is currently theorized to have been the original method of spreading the meme prior to Stage 2 Subjects existing in significant numbers. To date no attempt to have any SCP-XXXX-E1 trigger another to begin Stage 2 has been successful.

+ Effects of Stage 2 

• Uncontrollable dissatisfaction with current systems, processes, and/or current role
• Lack of patience for bureaucracy and documentation
• Disregard for any authority not currently present
• Antagonistic to any authority currently present
• Challenging any unconfirmed information aggressively

Stage 2 subjects exhibit revolutionary tendencies and particularly in groups, when they attempt to antagonize or convince any in the area in to action against all authority.

Interview Logs:

+ Show Interview Log SCP-XXXX/01

Interviewed: ███████ ███████ (The featured artist of the song [REDACTED] SCP-XXXX)

Interviewer: [Agent ███████]

Foreword: [Subject captured covertly from residents under the guise of federal agents. Subject shows no signs of anomaly, nor any attempt to flee. Questioned by Agent ███████ at local police station.]

<Begin Log, 1/20/1976>

Interviewer: So, tell me Miss ███████, what inspired you to write this song?

Subject: What? That’s your question? Umm I can’t recall, I think I just heard something that sounded similar, in church I think sir. What is this all about? You can’t have needed to bring me down for that!

Interviewer: Apologies, I know it is a bit strange. Can you try to remember when specifically you thought to write the song and sing it first? We think it is related to a case we are working.

Subject: I don’t see how it matters, I wrote the song! As the writer I can preform any..
Interviewer: We think someone might be using your song for something illegal, I can’t go into anymore.
Subject: What? How could the use a song illegally? Are you shaking me down here?
Interviewer: No! I am sorry, I really can’t say more, but the chance exists that it might be connected. Please, I need you to help me, people could get hurt.

Subject: What? Oh my, really? Are people in danger?
Interviewer: Yes, if I can’t find out all about this song, a whole lot of people could be.

Subject: Well….let me thing, I can’t quite…recall.
Interviewer: Take your time.
**42 Seconds of dead air

Subject: I think it was a church song, had to be, based on an old hymn my mamma used to sing to me.

Subject visibly relaxes and seems confident in answer.
Subject: I am sure of it.
Interviewer: Thank you, can you give me the name of the church? Is your mother around? May I speak to her?
Subject: She passed a few years back

Interviewer: Oh my I am sorry to hear that, can I ask the name of the church perhaps?
Subject: Sure…

<End Log>

Closing Statement: [Subject is allowing long term voluntary tracking]

+ Show Interview LogSCP-XXXX/25

Interviewed: █████ ████ (An instance of SCP-XXXX-E2 )

Interviewer: [Agent ███████]

Foreword: [Subject captured under the guise of federal agents. Subject attempted to flee, was captured after short firefight with local authorities. Questioned by Agent ███████ at Site ??.]

<Begin Log, 2/25/1976>

Interviewer: Well █████, why did you run?

Subject: YO FUCK YOU PIGS, I DID NOTHING WRONG!THE PEOPLE WILL RISE!

Interviewer: Apologies, what people are you referring to?
Subject: THOSE THAT QUESTION YOUR AUTHORITY, THOSE THAT CAN SEE YOU PROGRAMMING. TO TRUST AND SERVE YOUR VISIONS OF SOCIETY. GONNA THROW THE BOOK AT ME? I'LL GET THE FUCKING NATIONAL NEWS ALL UP IN THIS MOTHERFUC..
Interviewer stand and places his hands on the table

Interviewer: You don’t seem to know where you are.
Subject: WHAT YOU THINK I HAVEN'T SEEN WHAT YOUR KIND CAN DO?!
Interviewer: Oh no, You didn’t just get the local cops on your case, you are in a place where people disappear and die everyday. Where the walls are soundproof, and not one soul would come help even if they did hear.
Subject: OOOHHH BIG MAN, FUCKING GOT A GUY TIED TO A CHAIR AND YOU WANTA WORK HIM OVER?! FUCK YOU!
Interviewer sits back down
Interviewer: Is that all you have to say? Do you have anything to request, or to state for the record?
Subject: HAIL SATAN AND BURN THE GOVERNMENT! I HOPE YOU CHOKE ON A BIG BAG OF KNOTED DICKS! I WANT FUCK YOUR EYE SOCKETS RAW YOU DRIED UP OLD SHIT!
Interviewer: We think we are done here, if you can’t even understand the gravity of your situation, this merely proves my point. This CognitoHazard is completely different than the memetic agent we saw.
Subject: WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU SPOUTING OLD MAN?!
Interviewer: I’m saying that memes can typically be changed, but hazards are more difficult to edit or prevent.

Subject: WHO KNEW DOC! CAN I FIND OUT MORE ONCE I BASH YOUR FACE IN AND SKIP ON DOWN TO MY LOCAL LIBRARY?!

Interviewer: No, I think we’ll just try a new test with another subject
Subject: TYPICAL GOVERNMENT STODGE, JUST FUCKING KILL THE LITTLE PEOPLE IN YOUR WAY NOW HUH?

<End Log>

Closing Statement: [Subject is a convicted violent criminal, next stages of tests will be getting subjects to interact and gauge the possibility of instances working together]

Addendum:

+ Show Addendum SCP-XXXX-001

Project ███████ :

Following 05 approval, Project ███████ was launched and completed in the course of 10 months, concluding on July 2, 1985, with assistance of SCP-XXXX-E1-001 & SCP-XXXX-E1-002.

Further examination of SCP-XXXX-E1-001 & SCP-XXXX-E1-002 proved essential in drafting the project and disseminating the information to the public. Creating a 1980s sitcom called ‘The ███████’, this show was added to records and disseminated into cultural awareness via a memetic pattern mimicked off the original meme component of SCP-XXXX, but lacking the cognitohazard effect.

This meme was introduced in 200█ with an original song, produced by foundation assets for this purpose.

Publicly, "█████████" is a single by the rapper █████y and the ████████████, produced by █████ "Blast" █████. The hook of the song alludes to the theme song of the television sitcom, this counter-meme explains the origin of the meme, thus preventing a subject from contracting Stage 2.

Following this successful launch, of Project ███████, a misinformation campaign was launched, and reruns were made available to interested parties via Foundation assets. In the surrounding months, internet bots dissuaded discussion around individuals not recalling the sitcom as an example of the 'Mandela effect' to great effect. More information on techniques used can be found in “ ████████████“ or : A guide to misinformation campaigns and ████████████████████████████████████.¹¹

+ Show Addendum SCP-XXXX-002/4

A letter from the desk of Doctor ███████
Head Researcher of {ID:ITEMNUMBER}
Memetics & CounterMemetics Department Lvl 4.

Don’t say anything, don’t ask questions, this is the correct document. I know you are expecting a counter-meme. Let me explain. Notice how that paragraph at the top the Containment Procedures it says when we found it and how the ethics committee was in the room? Well the reason for that was a little complicated. I figured out this was buried by the O5s, or at least one of them.

When I started researching this anomaly, I was newly crowned Level 4. I had my own staff, projects. I was thrilled! I was assigned and I reviewed the data. I think… I am an ok researcher, at least, so I did just that. I found connections that didn’t add up, tests that didn’t show up in reported data. Almost as if someone was hiding something. I pulled some strings, got to work undisturbed. I know for a fact that no one but a few dead Ds, and colleague of mine from the ethics committee that was suspiciously the only victim of containment breach that he both caused and corrected?

No way would he would have willingly gone into that chamber. It wasn’t even a great cover up, they were sending a message. They thought I knew more than I did, and they showed their hand early. So I told everyone that the countermeme agent formula is here, and I might have suggested ‘it could’ trigger a Stage 2, or beyond if the person understood the central meme. That’s why you needed to pass the (Willpower / Meme Test). But that was a lie, the CounterMeme is harmless, but the rumor, that should put the bastards on edge, give us a chance to unroot this corruption by keeping them away from the project. Threw in a few red herrings for the records department to catch, but no one will check here. At most they will black out my name because I am not a great conversation to have. Just call me the ‘old head’ right? Be careful of the flunkies they will want to put on your team, almost all are rats.

They are on to me, if that was unclear, this is my insurance. If I die, the next researcher is going to be someone loyal to the foundation, but, no offence, really green too. Let me guess, about 2 years as a Level 3? Listen, don’t panic, ok?

So Hello! So you are a newly crowned Level 4, here now reading this in containment, as would be the case with standard procedure. Hope you like the job; sorry for the bad news! No pressure, but you are my only chance at justice, contact the ethics committee, more likely be contacting you. The pretense will be about the old research methods. They can help, but they can’t understand or take action based on our word about a meme. That should help buy you time, give you an excuse to get people you trust to help you on your team to help with the project, or off the team running defense.

My thoughts? Don’t fuck this up, pretend to have a headache and leave the room. Destroy this letter, replace it with your own, figure out who you can trust.

I’d offer you more advice, but I don’t know how they got me. Good luck.

-Doctor ███████

END OF FILE

Footnotes

1. 201 individuals as of 05-██ directive as of May 5th, 199█

2. Estimates put the figure at 70-85% of the industrialized world & 25-33% of the non-industrialized world is likely exposed and in Stage 1.

3. Investigation has revealed that ███████'s memories of recording the song are in fact part of the stage 1 effects. ███████ complete interview is listed as Interview Log SCP-XXXX-001

4. Zulu / GMT

5. ie parent’s radio station, friend’s favorite TV Show intro, ect

6. ie parties, concerts, clubs, ect

7. In cases of misfortune or ongoing issues that cannot be trivialized, this often manifests as a perspective that the subject is growing or that this is merely a transitory state

8. While not fool proof, tests show that a subjects become mush more difficult to directly deceive. A more accurate description might be that the subject can identify truthful or sincerity at a much easier way.

9. Everyone take note, THIS is the failure of the initial testing of this hazard in '75. Had the prior research team taken this in to account we might have saved [REDACTED] almost 30 years [REDACTED].

We do not make assumptions about what people think, or what is normal for them to think without good reason.

-Doctor ███████

10. The cognitohazard cannot be triggered by the subject.

11. CLASSIFIED MATERIAL IS NOT TO BE INCLUDED IN CORE DOCUMENTATION.
THIS IS YOUR LAST WARNING
@DR.███████

~Records & Information Agent ███████