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Small-Scale Question Sunday for August 30, 2026

Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?

This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.

Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.

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I recently read Angel Down, half the gimmick of which was that it pretended to start and end mid-event. It's nonsense of course, the beginning and end points were deliberately chosen by the author and there's a clear narrative arc in between.

The Solar cycle by Gene Wolfe also has a habit of cutting out the transitions between books. Supposedly it was out of protest against a publisher who wouldn't let Wolfe finish his books as he liked, but maybe it pulls double-duty for allowing him to leave out some parts he himself considered boring. Or maybe he just liked leaving more mysteries around. Wouldn't surprise me.