MVengat
rating: 0+x

Item #: SCP-XXXX

Object Class: Keter

Special Containment Procedures: The host that SCP-XXXX originates from must be stored in a specialized cell that is suitably environmentally-controlled for secure document storage and preservation. As this book is not indestructible, it must be appropriately cared for as any valuable document or book, and is the only object to be stored in this location. Access is limited to Level 3 or above personnel, and no personnel are permitted to read open the book under threat of immediate termination.

Though SCP-XXXX is extremely dangerous should it ever escape out into the wild, by and large this is extremely unlikely and at this time neither the host nor specifically the portion containing SCP-XXXX shall be destroyed as it cannot be guaranteed that SCP-XXXX does not exist elsewhere, and currently the host may be the only source containing information leading to [REDACTED].

All testing must take place in a sealed chamber with no audio nor video feeds, and staff conducting experiments must not communicate numerically nor mathematically with test subjects under threat of immediate termination. At the conclusion, all test subjects and contents produced during the experiment, especially including written documents, must be terminated and subsequently destroyed by complete incineration. This should ideally be done before the chamber is accessed, or even viewed.

In case of containment breach, all affected persons should be immediately terminated with extreme prejudice.

History: SCP-XXXX was first discovered in 199█ in an outdated electronics textbook (“Basic Electronics” by ██████, 3rd Edition, ISBN █████████████, page ███) in the shelves of the library at [REDACTED] in ███████████, ██, Canada. ███ ██████ was a student stealing disused books for his personal collection when he found SCP-XXXX, which at first appeared to be a simple if perplexing error in the application of nodal circuit analysis of a resistor network. However, after several hours and other mathematical approaches, the student could not correct the error. After this, he apparently became incapable of solving even the most rudimentary of math problems. Accompanied with this, more likely due to the stress of this complication, were notably increased frustration, aggression, extreme anxiety and eventually insomnia, obsession, mood lability, and [REDACTED].

Upon marking his work, any of ███ ██████’s math or science teachers also became ‘infected,’ and upon returning said work over half of ███ ██████’s classes became exposed to the memetic effects, with marking becoming [DATA EXPUNGED]. As the number of both students and faculty unable to complete even the most basic numeracy climbed, and mental health quickly diminished, the Foundation became aware of the situation and stepped in.

Following interviews the textbook from which SCP-XXXX originated was recovered. Unfortunately, even amnesiacs proved ineffective at reversing the effects of SCP-XXXX, and to prevent technological implications of a cataclysmic nature, all subjects were terminated under the auspices of advanced stages of acute mercury poisoning, with physical symptoms being doctored to match. The school was temporarily shut down and heavy metal decontamination was simulated as a cover up.

Description: SCP-XXXX is some form of memetic “infection,” a corruption of thought that makes the henceforth “infected” person incapable of mathematics, numeration, and to some degree, logic. (See Addendum, below) Whenever non-infected persons encounter any form of mathematics or numerical work, calculations, or processes of someone infected with SCP-XXXX in any form, including written or vocal, they immediately come under its effects as well. Any language, verbal, written or otherwise that does not involve numbers or mathematical operations does not transfer these harmful effects, nor homophones, nor oddly affirmations/negations (such as “yes” or “no”) either despite possible association with mathematical logic.

Therefore, at this time, it has been impossible to directly observe or study this effect in action. High-IQ Class D personnel have been given simple equations including Pythagorean theorem or simple kinematics equations, and each time, they resolve to a discontinuity. However, even through video feed, any observers have been unable to find errors, and in turn, have succumbed to the effects.

So far, machines and electronics appears to be unaffected, and sentient machines have yet to be tested.

As the mechanism by which SCP-XXXX appeared in its host text is not understood, it still represents a serious threat. Questions as to its origin have yet to be answered, and despite ongoing exhaustive searches for recurrences, none have yet been found. This is likely partially due to the unpopularity of the text itself, having last been checked out in 1972; however, any attempts to locate previous users of the text, or incidents that would be expected to have resulted from their use, have been equally unsuccessful.

Addendum: