# The New Experimental Category **URL:** \ **Category:** meta\ **Created:** [July 24, 2020, 5:33pm UTC](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/the-new-experimental-category/3003 "2020-07-24T17:33:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jhull](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex010/user_avatar/discuss.dramatica.com/jhull/32/3_2.png) [@jhull](https://discuss.dramatica.com/u/jhull)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2020, 5:33pm UTC](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/the-new-experimental-category/3003/1 "2020-07-24T17:33:32Z")
The Dramatica theory of story encourages deep thinking about the nature of narrative. In an effort to keep the noise level down for those new to the theory, I created a new category on the forums, Experimental. In the past, I would simply boot those who insist on overcomplicating the theory for newbies (which for some reason _always_ happens in July). Recognizing my own drive to develop the theory through Subtext and realizing that not everyone has access to their own blogs or app development, I’m opening this Experimental category as a bit of an experiment. This category is for Regular members, those who consistently post and keep up-to-date with the latest conversations in Dramatica. The gate is automatic and completely dependent on your interaction with the forum. If you post a lot, then disappear for months, you will lose that status and will have to start all over again. If you don’t see the category and feel compelled to offer your own ideas on the theory, become a more active member. Engage and visit often, and you can contribute to the possible development of the theory there. The core mission of this forum is to keep Dramatica as effortless for newcomers as possible. As always, if you can’t wait to become a Regular member, you can always start your own blog or podcast and let everyone know about it here. ---
**Author:** ![crayzbrian](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex010/user_avatar/discuss.dramatica.com/crayzbrian/32/300_2.png) [@crayzbrian](https://discuss.dramatica.com/u/crayzbrian)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2020, 6:44am UTC](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/the-new-experimental-category/3003/2 "2020-07-26T06:44:16Z")
**Booting** I hope you continue to boot Dramatica Story Engine hackers and Dramatica Story Theory Deniers. As well as for repeated irrational behavior, or for repeated demonstrably false misinformation campaigns—especially for profit. **Rebooting** I don’t recommend ejecting members for overcomplicating or oversimplifying as it denies someone else’s reality while the offending diagnostician ends up living in a denial world of their own making ignorant of potential; AKA gaslighting Note: Even published math proofs often fall short of perfect simplification. And, it should go without saying, but Dramatica shows us why a GAS requires further complication than a tale. **Proper Simplification** Ockham’s Razor > **[Occam's razor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occam%27s_razor)** > > In philosophy, Occam's razor (also spelled Ockham's razor or Ocham's razor; Latin: novacula Occami) is the problem-solving principle that recommends searching for explanations constructed with the smallest possible set of elements. It is also known as the principle of parsimony or the law of parsimony (Latin: lex parsimoniae). Attributed to William of Ockham, a 14th-century English philosopher and theologian, it is frequently cited as Entia non sunt multiplicanda praeter necessitatem, which tra... Note: necessity trumps plurality simplification before the razor justifies the shave. **Proper Complication** Hickam’s Dictum > **[Hickam's dictum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hickam%27s_dictum)** > > Hickam's dictum is a medical principle that a patient's symptoms could be caused by several diseases. It is a counterargument to misapplying Occam's razor in the medical profession. A common version of Hickam's dictum states: "A man can have as many diseases as he damn well pleases." The principle is attributed to an apocryphal physician named Hickam, possibly John Bamber Hickam, MD. When he began saying this is uncertain. > Occam's razor is frequently misinterpreted to mean that the simplest exp... Note: Hickam’s Dictum is sometimes referred to as the Theory of Narrative Causality and trumps the razor so we can storyform.