<div class="floatright">(https://i.pinimg.com/564x/19/59/d5/1959d5a89df588d70e329492b8e6ff84.jpg)</div><strong>Location:</strong>Introduction to Arcane Theory<br/><strong>Tagging:</strong>Students<br/><br/>As the question was asked, there was another pause, consideration as to whether to answer to the best of her own beliefs.  "What I'm about to say hasn't been fully proven, but it's believed," she explained.  "People rarely think of a single Normie as having much in the abilities of willpower, and they're certainly right.  A rare few demonstrate significant belief and can accomplish abilities which aren't worth getting into.  The questionable thesis, which I believe but hasn't been proven, is that around the time of the Renaissance, the scientific minds of the Normies congealed a mass belief regarding a severe disbelief in the supernatural.  As individuals, it doesn't mean much, but when you take into account the sheer number of Normies across the planet, it's believed that the barrier between Earth and elsewhere grew so hard<em>because</em>of that collective belief, or, if you prefer, collective disbelief."<br/><br/>A palm raised to cede a point she suggested but could not prove.  "Now, if this hypothesis is correct, simply being in the presence of Normies strengthens the barriers of unbelief to various degrees, especially in places where some degree of safety is expected, such as a hearth and home.  Herd mentality would do similar in having large groups of people clustered together, such as if someone tried to conjure up a demon in the middle of Times Square on New Years Eve.  You can see why this is hypothetical.  Finally, a place that has been cleansed of any and all aberration to anomaly, such as a hospital or scientific laboratory, environments which are meant to be as mundane as possible."<br/><br/>Then she raised the other hand.  "The thesis relies on the magical power of the average Normie, and it becomes distasteful in some circles.  There are Outcasts who find the very concept of mere humans performing en masse unconscious magic to be distasteful.  Questions then arise why the supernatural don't simply disappear, and are countered with that Normies still feel all the unconscious desire and fear for the supernatural to exist, as demonstrated by our continued depictions in their works of fiction."<br/><br/>Some incredulity showed in her gaze as she explained the next part.  "To those who disbelieve the thesis, there are those who have the potential to be Outcasts but who turn their backs on the supernatural much like the sheep of the family, there are practicioners who choose to be Outcasts and have the potential for it, there are those who are born into the supernatural, and all the rest of the Normies are incapable of ascending to such levels.  All I can say on the matter without getting further political is that I<em>have</em>seen My Fair Lady attempts performed successfully, unless one believes that they were just undiscovered gems and found by luck."<br/><br/>She took a moment to take a breath.  Though she held no ill will towards the class, the question was a touch of a soft spot for her.  "Another thing to remember regarding crossing over and distance is that, not only is distance relative, but so is location.  Faerie rings provide exceptional conduits to the Feywild, but I can vouch that the barrier is weaker in areas of nature with a minimal touch of civilization, even as it gets weaker the more humanity has left their mark upon a specific area and rebuilt it to their own desires.  By contrast, the Hoover Dam provides an excellent conduit to the Elemental Plane of Water despite that it's of human make."<br/><br/>With a smile, she added, "It also works both ways.  The reason that cemeteries and haunted houses feel so cold and dead is because the warmth of vitality seeps through from our world to the Dark Umbra, and in such places, it feels more vibrant and full of life when one compares it to the rest of the realm.  That's the real reason why the ghosts, especially those who can't cross over but remain in that realm, congregate in such areas, as counterintuitive as it might feel."<br/><br/>The goth girl gave some hint of a smile, suggesting it wasn't counterintuitive to her at all.<br/><br/>When the bell rang, Professor Merryweather glanced around.  "Final questions?"