Research Question: Am I dreaming?
Background Information:
I have woken up in a strange forest. The plants and animals are alien and there appears to be a glow overlaying most things.
I have found respite in a hidden cave beneath some underbrush.
The place is well hidden, and the entrance is small enough that the larger beasts will not be able to follow me inside.
There is a small stream inside the cave.
Hypothesis:
I am dreaming or experiencing some form of altered consciousness.
Variables:
During sleep or altered states, it is expected that short term memory and visual effects are common.
It’s not good science, but I guess I am the variable here.
Control Of Variables:
I have an intrinsic lack of control here.
Materials:
Me.
Methods:
In order to determine if my current experiences are real, I will be using common methods to determine my conscious state.
The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
These include looking for discrepancies in my environment that are in flux.
Data:
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; background-color: rgba(126, 140, 141, 1); border-color: rgba(16, 12, 12, 1)">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>
Test
</td>
<td>
Result
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
Counting fingers
</td>
<td>
10, same as expected. Physical appearance also as expected.
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
Counting fingers(again)
</td>
<td>
10, same as expected, and same as previous
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
Reading
</td>
<td>
Words appear legible, do not float
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
Re-reading
</td>
<td>
Words are identical and have not changed
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
Forced awakening
</td>
<td>
Nothing
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
Self administer waking shock
</td>
<td>
Nothing, Face hurts
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
Attempt double jump
</td>
<td>
In air slightly longer than expected
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
Retry double jump
</td>
<td>
Not imagining it, gravity seems slightly less
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Analysis/Processed Data:
I do not appear to be sleeping.
This does not rule out all options, but it would probably be best to treat this as reality for the time being.
Further Research Topics:
The soft glow I mentioned earlier and the discrepancy in gravity will need to be further explored.
I shall have to shelve the current questions of how I arrived here and focus on survival.
Knowledge is safety.