%TODO crit notes
%Hmm. I'm not sure it does anything for me personally. I get where the concept is coming from a subversion of the very directive language of the documents, but the asides about recommendations and being optional end up feeling a bit repetitive to me, and then the event presented out-of-document doesn't feel like it's raising the stakes or further recontextualizing. It feels like it needs more buildup in-document instead of coming out of the gate with designating part of the conprocs as part of the anomaly
%I guess to me it feels like the expected sort of consequence, so it was at the same level emotionally as the rest of the article. In terms of buildup, my instinct would be to more slowly layer on the couching language so that's its own kind of momentum, and then maybe have a few events that are getting worse, more exaggerated, etc. Right now it feels like it plateaus pretty early in terms of developing stakes or complexity
%I definitely don't have the perfect formula for short articles, so your instincts might be better on this
%One thought for the second half is that it doesn't really dig into the horror of hyperfixation except for the note about reading the note 1,283 times. Even if the rest is the same, you could probably dig a little deeper there in terms of emphasizing how long that took, what else wasn't done in the time frame, etc
%Either that or a more elaborate description of the mind hole after "vector limits," though that might get more flowery than you want
Item #: SCP-XX
Object Class: Keter
Special Containment Procedures: You are hereby ordered to work on the SCP-XX project. Until containment or neutralization is achieved, you are to ignore all directives to the contrary. If such a directive is perceived on accident, you must immediately consume a Class-α micro-amnestic to forget it, and take actions such that you are not likely to re-perceive it. (This paragraph has been designated as SCP-XX-1.)
The remainder of these containment procedures are made at the recommendation of the SCP-XX containment team, but are considered to be truly voluntary.
It is recommended that no statements, aside from SCP-XX-1, are to use the grammatical imperative mood, or to imply that action should be taken. Instead, factual statements which do not imply authority can be used to avoid activating SCP-XX's anomalous effect. However, the SCP-XX containment team understands that there are situations where violating this recommendation is necessary, such as for approved testing or emergency situations. It is suggested that the construction of any such non-SCP-XX-1 commands is undertaken carefully so that it can be easily defused by SCP-XX project personnel and is not a threat to SCP-XX-1.
If such a statement countermanding SCP-XX-1 is uttered, it is recommended but not mandatory for the statement to be immediately retracted. Having a copy of SCP-XX-1 as well as some Class-α micro-amnestics close at hand to consume after a breach or suspected breach is helpful to this end.
Even if the Foundation as an effective organization is re-established, it is suggested that titles implying rank such as "Site Director", "O5", or "leader" not be used until SCP-XX is contained, as there is some evidence which suggests use of titles perpetuates the anomalous effect.
If feasible, it is recommended that personnel make their way to Site-952, which is the current center of SCP-XX containment research. Instructions for easy creation of temporary thaumaturgic portals to can be found in Document-XX-1136. If such migration is not feasible, it is recommended that personnel create a localized safe area and attempt to contribute to SCP-XX containment research from there. Additionally, where possible, it is suggested that personnel attempt to recruit others (including civilians) to the SCP-XX project when they are discovered to be operating under alternative instructions.
Such work cannot be effectively carried out by project members who are experiencing significant tiredness, hunger, thirst, physical injury, mental trauma, or are otherwise suffering from health conditions; if you or a SCP-XX team member is in such a state, it is suggested that appropriate measures are to be taken.
Description: SCP-XX is a memetic contagion which affects entities capable of understanding language. This is known to include humans, sapient anomalies, and AIC units. At present, no uninfected subjects are known to exist.
The earliest known deaths associated with the anomaly are of two Site-19 personnel, both of whom perished from dehydration. However, the introduction of the anomaly into the Foundation prior to this point is unclear.
When an infected subject perceives language in any form (including written, spoken, and recorded communications) which is framed as a command towards them, whether direct or implied, SCP-XX compels the subject to carry out this directive to the best of their honest ability, irregardless of all other factors, including social status or rank, prior beliefs, personal safety and general common sense. Only the most recently received command is obeyed.
Statements which are explicitly framed as optional do not trigger SCP-XX's effect, and as such, it is recommended that all language make use of such phrases to avoid countermanding SCP-XX-1.
Purely informational or opinion statements also do not trigger SCP-XX's effects.
Alone in the restricted research sector, Dr. Panáková had been working on this project for months. The previous field detainment glyph used by Alpha-1 had been becoming less effective over the last few years, and he had been assigned to create a new one.
But not right now. He was reading his notes to himself. And rereading them. And rereading them.
Of course he was. It said to consult his notes on transmission vector limiters, and…
"How are things going?" His supervisor had walked in.
He turned to face her, then turned back. That wasn't important right now. He began rereading his notes for the 1,283rd time.
"Hey. Jaroslav. We're already behind, tell me what's going on. We need to get a quarterly report out and we still have basically nothing."
Suddenly, his passion burned away. He had no desire to reread his notes, in fact he was a bit tired of it.
He faced her with enthusiasm and began to eagerly explain, which visibly took her by surprise.
She turned around to look for a seat — "hang on a moment, let me sit" she started to say, only getting a few words out — but Panáková knew there was a briefcase on the chair and shouted "wait!".
The two ended up just standing there, looking at each other.