Twisted

~(15)~

In the programming language Prolog, a cut (articulated by the exclamation point) removes all choicepoints created by the preceding statement. Use of the cut is deprecated, or at least discouraged.

A choicepoint is a fork-in-the-road to a Prolog program. Multiple branches of possibilities are saved at this point, with the intention of returning (or "backtracking") to a different path if the current one does not lead to success.

Too many choicepoints, and the program may run out of stack. (ie. Not have enough memory available to store all previous opportunities for different paths.) A cut can prevent this, if used properly, by erasing choicepoints that are no longer relevant or necessary.

For those of you still with me, it's about 2am and I'm tripping on psilocybin mushrooms. So you're going to have to bear with me. Right now, I could use some exclamation points. I'm in serious need of a cut, as the several preceding paragraphs are no doubt proof of.

This nice little analogy probably isn't too clear to anyone outside my head, but to me, the brain normally behaves like a Prolog program with an abundance of exclamation points. Stray thoughts are "cut" out of existence before they can either clog one's brain, or exit via the mouth and manifest themselves as an act of stupidity. In an absence of cuts, however, thoughts may grow out of control and essentially clog one's head. This absence of cuts may be achieved though the use of drugs conventionally classed as "hallu...