Now, I have a bit of an issue here. Zero-summing is a fun idea to toss around, but wait! Thetre's a hitch! How do we know it happens? This also effects a particular obscure text, I'm not sure witch.

Now, Zero-summing as it was explained to me is when a person does something so mythically wierd that they are wrung clean out of existence. They never were or would be, all memories of them vanish because they never happened, and all things they made vanish because nobody existed to make them (which is how we now that wasn't the fate of the Dwemer). therefore, since nobody has ever Zero-summed (and if they did, how would anyone know to talk about it?) How do we know it's real?

And if it is, isn't there one obscure text written by someone who was Zero-summing at the time? Dosen't that mean that the particular text dosen't even exist, since it's writer never did?

It isn't said that they cease to have ever existed, memories of them and all, just that they sorta *poof* out of existence once they zero-sum.

You're overestimating zero-sum a little bit. It is simply coming to the true realization that your existence is in fact only the tiniest fraction of the mind of a greater being. If you fail to maintain your individuality in face of this overwhelming realization, you zero-sum. Nothing is ever said about the particular person's life or achievements, though.

If you don't mind me asking who is exactly this greater being you're referring to? Is it Anu/Padomay?

It's referring to the godhead, which Anu and Padomay are similarly fractions of.

For a recent explanation, I'd start http://www.gamesas.com/bgsforums/index.php?showtopic=1034626&view=findpost&p=15156809 and keep reading down.

I know not everyone approves of making comparisons with real life concepts, but, Zero-sum is to:


http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/nirvana

It's not matter-antimatter annihilation?

I have often wondered what the true extent to "knowing" of your existence allows one to achieve CHIM in The Elder Scrolls world. Don't start speaking in-character and begin throwing the 36 Lessons of Vivec at me. That's not what I mean.

What I mean is, if we suddenly found ourselves on Nirn, would our out-of-character understanding of CHIM be sufficient enough for us all to achieve it? That is, provided we don't zero-sum. The way in which one ceases to be when they come to this realization is also something I have wondered about. Does the tiniest doubt make you go...poof? Is it a constant a divine metaphysical struggle to maintain your own being in knowing this? Does the "mind" of the Godhead more or less attempt to suppress those who have seen beyond the illusion?

Well, i?m certainly not an expert, but i think there?s a difference beetween "knowing" and "realizing" and that?s extremely important concept in order to achieve CHIM. Maybe the easy part is to realize you ARE everything, but the brain-wrecking part of it is to be able to mantain your identity at the same time.



Ya, something about a tower that threatens to crumble on the slightest brake in concentration

So, is it like...

"I am everyting, but still ME, I am everything, but still ME, I am everything but still everything....Ah crap!" --POOF--

???

Basically, yes, thought techincally that's having CHIM, then losing concentration. But that's me being pedantic.

R O F L!!!!!