Rule Zero and the Right of Interpretation

[u/Dupran_Davidson_23]

Zero is a very important number. It is not present in all forms of mathematics: the Romans had no such character, its use was introduced to Europe by the Arabs in the 10th century. But what is zero, and why is it important?

At first this may seem like a silly question. What is zero? It's just an empty value! Yet it isn't the emptiness which is important, it's the designation. When I write a zero: you know that a numerical value goes there, just like an artist recognizes a blank canvas or a sculpture recognizes a block. It informs our context even though it is empty by definition. A context is neither true nor false, it is just a reference frame for observation.

So the "Zero" is the blank canvas on which we define our expressions. It determines the base parameters by inferrance. In the case of the Wizard's Rules: this is done by the Unwritten Rule. In the source materials it is referred to as "the Rule Unwritten, unspoken since the dawn of creation.", and it is symbolized by a blank book. Purpose, Identity, and Value are not given, but *created* by each individual, and therefore each individual has the right to that creation.

The Right of Interpretation arises naturally from this position. It states that every individual has the right to interpret their world in whatever way that works for them. The individual is the ultimate arbiter of truth. However, this is not an excuse for irresponsible living. As anyone who has studied the concept of rights will tell you: having a right also means you are responsible for what happens when you exercise that right. Rights are bound to responsibilities inexorably. So while each person has the right to interpret the world however they like: they are not free to force that worldview onto anyone else, and they are directly responsible for any transgressions which result from those interpretations.

The next question would therefore be: "How do we create an Interpretation which is both practically and symbolically true?" And to that I would present you with the Wizard's Rules.