16 Jun The ‘Totem Matrix’ Scandal

A CREATIVE FICTION:

Early 1980s: A dot matrix printer in a university laboratory begins to operate spontaneously, producing an unusual printout.

The printout features a series of familiar symbols which eventually combine to reveal an image of an obelisk or totem.

The printout becomes known as the ‘Totem Matrix’.

Faculty members and students express both skepticism and intrigue.

The language department takes an interest, analyzing the strings of symbols for potential meaning.

Afterwards, the project is abruptly shut down.

Notes, files, and the printout itself are confiscated and moved to an unknown location.

Speculation arises among all involved over the reasons why and whether it represents an alien message, clandestine interference or simply an odd malfunction.

One fragment of interest was leaked to the public, however its decoded message was not recovered. To this day, its finding have been covered up. It remains a mystery.