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The mysterious novel in the cat video comments

  • Published
    31 May 2016
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Michael JacksonImage source, Getty Images/TimWhitby
Image caption,

Conspiracy theories about Michael Jackson's death play a part in the mysterious online work

BBC Trending
What's popular and why

The plot ranges across the CIA, hallucinogenic drugs, humpback whales, Nazis and the death of Michael Jackson. But just as mysterious and intriguing is the way in which what is being dubbed 'The Interface Series' is emerging into the world.

If you watched the TV-series Lost, external, you'll probably be familiar with that feeling of confused anticipation as you hope for several threads of narrative to tie together. Over the course of this month, a new kind of mystery, for a new kind of audience, has been unfolding on Reddit, external - the online bulletin board where people post articles and comments on threads about a bewildering range of subjects.

It all began about a month ago when anonymous Redditor _9MOTHER9HORSE9EYES9 , externalbegan commenting on seemingly random Reddit posts with elaborate, even creepy, descriptive posts.

Reddit user commenting on threadImage source, Reddit

The posts appeared in threads about a bizarre range of seemingly unconnected topics including: a debate about whether pirates really did have parrots, the responses to somebody seeking advice about how to help a relative with a drugs problem and the comments under a video of a cat sliding down stairs, external.

Still from cat videoImage source, Imgur

But these weren't just random nonsensical rants. There is a theme that ties them all together; 'The Flesh Interfaces' which seem to be "portals of some kind, made of thousands of dead bodies, which transport biological matter to some unknown place and returns it inside a fleshy sack, heavily dosed with LSD.", external

The Flesh InterfaceImage source, Reddit

So who is the author behind all this?

Trending contacted _9MOTHER9HORSE9EYES9 and he agreed to be interviewed via email. He told us he is male, in his thirties, lives in the United States, works as a freelance translator and was once a heavy user of LSD, external.

And what is 'The Interface Series' about? "At the distinct risk of sounding like a grandiose crackpot, I would sum up my story as a warning to humanity. I believe we are rushing headlong toward a focal point at which the future of our species will be decided," he replied.

But it's a warning that seems to be peppered with references to popular culture.

Michael Jackson postImage source, Reddit

Some readers also thought that in another post the author was referencing 'Becky with the good hair', external, a much-quoted phrase from Beyonce's recent album Lemonade.

Jesus with the good hairImage source, Reddit

The writer told us: "I don't know exactly where the story is going, but I do know the information I want to convey, which guides the story."

As for the unorthodox way in which the story is appearing, _9MOTHER9HORSE9EYES9 clearly feels Reddit is the perfect platform for his narrative.

"I realized that on the internet, and especially on Reddit, it is possible to intrude on people's realities in a very unexpected way. If you have a bit of a knack for storytelling, you can redirect the thread of a conversation in any direction. With a single, strategically designed comment, a simple debate about cookware can become Klingon erotica. A discussion on urban planning can morph into an Edwardian romance with gay seagulls. The sky is the limit, really."

The story is certainly distinctive and has already gathered thousands of followers. It is now easier to track down as one admirer has collected all the posts in one place in chronological order in a subreddit page called r/9M9H9E9, external.

Blog by Megha Mohan, external

Next story: Why I wrote about my wife's miscarriage

Dan Majesky and wife LeahImage source, Dan and Leah Majeski

A husband's online account about the heartbreak involved with starting a family has struck a chord with many couples.READ MORE

You can follow BBC Trending on Twitter @BBCtrending, external, and find us on Facebook, external. All our stories are at bbc.com/trending.

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