The CALD Caveat (Cautions)
As CALD becomes more well-known, some common misconceptions have arisen that have been around since the creation of CALD. This page is to clarify on some common concerns about CALD, as well as suggest a general guideline to the technique.
Mental Illness:
To be clear, creating developed characters will not set up any form of mental illness in any healthy person unless taken to an extreme, as with all things.
It is important to remember that characters exist purely in a non-physical reality, and can never become a physical existence.
Character reality (that of the non-physical) and our own reality (the physical plane) are completely separate.
It is completely normal to develop realistic, in-depth characters. If it wasn’t than there would be no interesting T.V shows or books.
Letting a character come into sentience, or attain autonomy is a step to allow them to be more independent, and indeed interesting. However, precautions must be taken with this.
General Rules:
In having characters become self-driven, and having them exist in our conscious minds, we must take care that human mental health comes first.
In my own set of rules, I have made it clear that:
Should any character come to be a health risk in any respect, or pose a threat to any other facet of life, the character’s creator will be ready and willing to cleanse them from their system.
While this may seem harsh, it is logical too for those concerned for a character’s health.
A character’s reality is filtered through our own perception. A warped human mind pays no benefit to either party!
CALD is a fun technique, interesting and enriching to the lives of those who actively use it, and have an interest in character development. However, though it may be a useful and fascinating technique, as with all other things we must be wary that we don’t get carried away. It’s okay to be passionate, but it’s not alright to be blind to danger.
Any further questions? Try visiting the CALD Tutorial:
The CALD Tutorial
Or ask us at the CALD thread in the Pathways to Lucidity:
Pathways To Lucidity
If there any personal questions, feel free to contact Talon Arana for help and advice.