Fathom comes from Old English fæthm, meaning “outstretched arms.” The theory being that sailors measured depth by using a rope representative of how far they could reach.
They were describing the wrong kind of reaching.
The Vulcan Science Academy established fthm as a standard unit of cognitive depth — the precise cognitive distance at which a mind loses itself in the process of finding an answer. Beyond one fthm, the inquiry ends. The mind continues, but it is no longer clear what or why it was seeking.
The VSA’s field documentation is extensive.
In ST:TNG‘s “Sarek” (S3:E23), Picard mind-melds with the Ambassador and goes under, submerged in the weight of a Vulcan’s lifetime of suppressed emotion. He exceeds one fthm. The meld ends. Picard surfaces; the experience does not.
In “The Nth Degree” (S4:E19), Barclay’s intelligence is expanded by Cytherian technology to something effectively infinite. He interfaces with an alien civilization across 30,000 light-years, understands everything, and afterward cannot explain a single thing he learned while he was there. He exceeded one fthm. The fathoming left no forwarding address.
Magrathean computational engineers encountered the same phenomenon at considerably larger scale (The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams, 1979). Deep Thought was commissioned to calculate the Answer to Life, the Universe, and Everything. It ran the computation for seven and a half million years, produced the Answer with complete composure:
The Answer existed. The Question was gone.
The word entered maritime use sometime in the early medieval period, as tends to happen when Vulcan measurement systems filter down to civilizations that aren’t quite ready for them. Sailors assumed fthm referred to physical depth and assigned it a value of six feet.
The Vulcans considered this a reasonable misreading and let it stand.
To fathom: to reach the depth at which comprehension collapses, and something below looks back up.
So when you say you can’t fathom something — your coworker’s logic, the update that made your phone worse — you’re fine. You’re still on the surface.
It’s when you say you have fathomed it that you should be concerned. You are reporting a completed computation. You have arrived at the bottom. The Answer is there.
I’m rebranding my series for a number of reasons — one of which is that my original cover designer is no longer doing covers, and I’d like the series to come together as a beautiful box set early next year. So, I’ve had 100 Covers work up some new designs.
These are just mockups, not finals — so I’d love to hear your opinions on which is your favorite and why, and also any suggestions for improvement you may have!
Option 1
Option 2
Option 3
The Status of Making Stuff Up…
Personal Life & Writing Life:
Much as I hate it, I’ve been forced to come to terms with reality over the last couple of months.
First, the garden update: after being nuked three separate times, the thistles are still winning. Apparently we need bigger nukes.
Second, things had been going pretty well through April — I was close to meeting the goals I’d carefully planned for. Then May hit us like a train.
Migraines from allergies and weather fronts derailed the start of the month.
My son Kyle is deploying with the Air Force and left his two dogs with me for about a year — we had a great week with him, chaotic dog pack growing pains and all.
A brother-in-law ended up on life support and just received a lung transplant.
My sister and I spent ~60 hours Memorial Day weekend on top-secret preparations for my parents’ anniversary party. (Big stuff = done. 🎉)
Sabrina remains on a full liquid diet through at least July, and she has opinions about that. (So do I!)
The upshot: I’ve had to completely rewrite my business plan for the year. The Erebi drafting will take until at least August, with beta readers group and launch schedule to follow. The Blessed is pushed to early next year. I’ll keep you posted as I near the finish line — thanks for your patience, friends!
NOTE: Because my emails are the opposite of “short,” this section will likely be clipped by your email client. Don’t forget to click the “view entire message” link to see all the deals!
What happens when a system designed to help starts making choices you never intended?
Civilization as we know it ends tomorrow. Will you survive?
Will You Survive the Apocalypse? is a fast, interactive, game-style quiz that tests your instincts when everything falls apart.
Every choice matters, every path is different, and the results might surprise you.
In a sometimes light, sometimes serious branching quiz, your decisions determine your fate. Play once—or play again to see what it actually takes to make it through.
*PSA: While I do try to pick books, giveaways, and sales that will be appealing to you in general, I definitely haven’t read or screened every book… Use discretion while browsing.
Don’t miss this collection of free sci-fi and fantasy ebooks, short stories, and box sets! Lots of options from both genres. It’s on until 5/31/26 — so you’ll need to act fast!
Thanks for reading this episode of The Blessed Bulletin! Let’s connect on socials if we haven’t already (or if you prefer that to emails). See you next month!
