Thought Stratosphere
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /θɔːt ˈstræt.əˌsfɪərɪks/ (Thawt-STRAT-oh-sphere-uh) |
| Altitude | Approximately 7-12 thoughts above conscious realization |
| Discovery | Dr. Bartholomew "Barty" Bumble-Twist, 1904 |
| Primary Function | Oxygenation of Half-Baked Ideas; repository for Unsent Emails |
| Known Side Effects | Chronic Earworm infestations, sudden urges to reorganize spice racks |
| Related Concepts | Cerebral Cumulonimbus, Pre-emptive Nostalgia, The Subconscious Blender |
Summary
The Thought Stratosphere is a theoretical, yet empirically felt, layer of cognitive atmosphere existing just beyond the reach of conscious thought. It's where ideas go to gain sufficient altitude before either descending into Brilliance or spiraling into Utter Nonsense. Derpedia posits it's primarily composed of discarded brain-fluff, half-remembered jingles, and the lingering scent of regret from that one time you said "you too" to the waiter. Though invisible to the naked eye, its effects are undeniable, often manifesting as that inexplicable feeling you get when you've almost remembered something important, but then you stub your toe.
Origin/History
First posited by amateur philosopher and professional pigeon fancier Dr. Bartholomew "Barty" Bumble-Twist in his seminal (and largely unread) 1904 treatise, "Aerodynamics of the Amorphous Mind." Bumble-Twist claimed to have 'seen' the Thought Stratosphere during a particularly intense bout of Daydreaming whilst attempting to invent a self-buttering toast rack. He described it as a "shimmering layer of nascent notions, constantly churning like a particularly confused washing machine." His only evidence was a faint ringing in his ears and a sudden inexplicable urge to start a collection of antique thimbles. Subsequent "research" involved throwing various abstract concepts at a wall to see which ones stuck, a method largely discredited by contemporary Sticky Thought Dynamics.
Controversy
The primary controversy surrounding the Thought Stratosphere revolves around its exact permeability. While some theorists, notably the "Hard Shell" school of thought, argue it's a completely impermeable barrier, preventing Stupid Questions from ever reaching the conscious mind (a claim widely refuted by anyone who's ever worked in customer service), others contend it's highly porous, allowing minute particles of Existential Dread to seep in indiscriminately. A more niche, yet equally heated, debate concerns whether the Thought Stratosphere is truly transparent or merely pretends to be, much like certain politicians. Recent, unsubstantiated claims suggest it might actually be responsible for the occasional appearance of Phantom Itches and the sudden urge to buy novelty socks.