Chapter 2: Discussion

Chapter 2

Discussion

A.Definition of Mysteries and Enigmas

Normally, stories and phenomena discussed through mouths and words are being called “mysteries” when they provide an aura of secret and unexplainably. Since the ancient period, people have been talking about phenomena and they always try to provide a logical reason on why it happened. But some stories are not like that. Some of them are unexplainable and you can see it as something impossible. One of the oldest and greatest enigmas ever since is the tale of Atlantis.

An article entitled “Atlantis – Plato’s Atlantis from Timaeus” by N.S Gill of the website ancienthistory.about.com discussed about how Atlantis became popular on the ancient Era until now. He also discussed the history of Atlantis. Atlantis is originally described by Plato on his literature works. Plato admired the lost city and labeled it as the “Nearest thing to Paradise”. Ever since his time, people began reading his sorts and began to admire Atlantis. Several people tried to find the exact location. Some even swam on the deepest oceans just to see if they can trace some evidences of the exact location of the lost city. But until now, no one can pin point the exact location of Atlantis. The other reason why Atlantis became popular is due to the ‘mystery’ it gives to people. The pleasure of knowing if such wealthy land really existed made people crave. People set in their minds that if they found out the exact location they can provide a way to make their own lands as wealthy as Atlantis. Literature played a big part on making it popular.

N.S Gill also quoted, “Was Atlantis real? We'll probably never be able to prove such a rich and powerful land that suddenly went belly up in the Atlantic Ocean never existed. The story of Atlantis is usually referred to as a parable and as such is not intended to be taken literally, but there is nothing in the story that proves it's made up. Even serious geologists can't entirely debunk it.”(http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/lostcontinent/qt/072507Atlantis.htm).

Enigma as defined through Dictionary means a person, thing, or situation that is mysterious, puzzling, or ambiguous that is often involved in text or riddle. Often times, enigmas and mysteries are seen as one but enigma is often seen on text. As addition, both of them provide an aura of ambiguous or unknown.

B.Literature and Mystery

One of the most famous ways to make a mystery popular is by writing it. Literature plays a big part in accessing the fame of the story. When the work is out worldwide, people will begin talking about it and eventually, they will believe it.

One of the best examples is the mystery behind “Alexandria’s Genesis”. Alexandria’s Genesis is a rare genetic mutation caused by gene variation that causes a person to have distinguishable purple eyes, shimmering white skin that resists tanning and burning, no body hair, slowing down or even stopping of aging process, well developed body, incredible immune system, perfect vision, no gaining of weight, no excretion and even longer life span that lasts up to 170 years. In most cases, girls who suffer from it would never have to experience menstruation but is fertile. This disease has been known as the “Super genetic mutation”.

Despite the fascinating mystery of this mutation, the number one reason why it was popular is because of literature.

In an article entitled “Alexandria’s Genesis – a beautiful anomaly or fallacy that just went viral!” by Aliza Hassan of wittysparks.com said that despite the fascinating description of the disease, it only appears to be just an urban legend. The very first case of the mutation was on London on a woman named Alexandria Augustine in 1393. Her parents thought that her purple eyes were caused by possession so they took her to the priest and they found out that it is nothing but a mutation. But the truth is Alexandria’s Genesis is nothing but a disease from a Daria fan-fiction. The website made the story up and the author said that she is disappointed that people actually became obsessed in it and even think that it is real. Hassan also quoted, “The real reason for this astonishingly desirable disorder to go viral was a Daria fan-fiction website. Cameron Miquelon claimed to be the original author of the fictional disorder in 1998 and conveyed her frustration on the huge percentage of people believing the disorder actually exists in a blog post in 2011.” (http://www.wittysparks.com/alexandrias-genesis-a-beautiful-anomaly-or-a-fallacy-that-just-went-viral/).

This is just one of the mysteries that went viral because of literature. In this case, you will see how powerful it is. A lot of people became obsess with the disease when it went viral and some of them even underwent processes to alter their physical appearances.

C.Why do people love mysteries?

Personally, I don’t believe in mysteries because I know that they have scientific explanations. In spite of that, I still study about them.  What is behind the fondness of people behind these cryptic mysteries? Why do we study about them?

C.1. The Thrill and wit

People always love to be on the top. They have the tendency to do anything and find out anything just to feel more intelligent than others. This reason leads us to one of the factors that affect on the addiction of people for mysteries. The thrill and wit they get from solving and studying mysteries make them draw into it.

In an article entitled, “Why do we enjoy mysteries so much?” by Melissa Bourbon Ramirez of misaramirez.com said that one of the reasons why we are so fond of mysteries is because it is a safe thrill, kind of like roller coasters when you’re a kid. She also said that a lot of people are tired of hearing or reading something that is common to them that is why they enjoy the fascinating twist and turns of enigmas. They somehow give them the eager to know why it happens. She also quoted, “More than the puzzle, though, mysteries help us cope with the psychological and emotional concept of death and our own mortality.” (http://misaramirez.com/for-writers/why-do-we-enjoy-mysteries-so-much/).

Mysteries make us feel witty. For a lot of scientists, discovering something is a lifetime achievement. Who would not love to discover the location of Atlantis or know how the Pyramids are built? The satisfaction they get from it feeds them to study more about it despite knowing that these enigmas has scientific and logical explanations that can break a believer’s heart.

C.2 The nature of understanding

Humans are born being placed on the highest level of animal kingdom. Meaning, we have the highest IQ and we take that as advantage over others. Having higher intelligence, also, give us the nature to understand things.  It is normal for people to find out the reason for every enigmas just because it is programmed in their minds.

Another article entitled, “Why do people love mysteries?” by a certain blogger aliased as WriterChick of writerchick.wordpress.com explained how people became drowned in mysteries in terms of literary purposes. As discussed earlier, literature plays a big role in making every enigma popular. She said that maybe some of us got it from our parent’s heredity. Some of the families enjoy sharing ideas about mysteries and that somehow makes the kids eager to participate in explaining it. Another reason she mentioned is “Human Nature”. The author said that every person has the nature to know why a certain phenomena happen. We would never be satisfied by just hearing and knowing about it so we will do anything to explain why.  Writer Chick also said, “Another part of human nature is that we like to solve things. Of all the creatures on the earth, I think humans are the only creatures that must solve problems, whether they are their own or belong to others.” (http://writerchick.wordpress.com/2013/10/21/why-do-people-love-mysteries/).

Every human has the nature to think and understand every thing. That is the gift of being the highest animal in the catalogue. We tend to know the explanation behind everything and we found out what it is, we do it again for self satisfactory.

C.3. Speculations

It is normal for humans to ask whether answers other people give are the real answers for their questions. Giving answers on why people love mysteries maybe real and may not be. Speculations will always be there. 

Another reason is raised in an article entitled, “Why do people love mysteries?” of Sheila Dalton of dundurn.com. Dalton said that any answer to this is speculation only. We want to understand, and cannot, so we fall back on speculative reasoning - which allows us at least a small step forward towards comprehension. She also added that telling the reason why people are so drowned by mysteries is a mystery itself. There is no certain and sure explanation because people (Especially scientists), has their own reasons on doing it. The only common thing we have is that we all like the mysterious aura it gives. Sheila Dalton also stated, “Many of us are compelled to unravel puzzles, cerebral or otherwise. So the puzzle of ‘who did what to whom, and why?’ draws us. It’s as simple as that. The mystery inherent in the act of murder -- the gravest of crimes -- is almost surely a factor, too.” (http://www.dundurn.com/news/why_do_people_love_mysteries) .

In the end, it all depends on how we view the obsession people have. Some of them just like to explain things to look witty and some of us study them for the sake of knowing and learning. Diverse reasons are raised. Individual reasons affect us also, the way our society thinks influence us. What people think is true may somehow appear real to us also.