Can we consider a QR code a primitive or early form of runic language i

Jimyd

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I just thought of this so I haven't covered all bases, but hypothetically could a QR code be considered an early rune.
If we simplify the definition of rune without all the mystical mumbojumbo, isn't a rune just a form of language age that can store, edit and project information?
Based on what I got from Google a QR code is a 2d bar code that can store information that will be released when scanned by a phone. Now I'm not saying I have it down to a science but theoretically if we were to come in contact with a quote on quote higher form if energy i.e aether, mana, qi, spiritual energy, prana etc that can interact with information a QR code may most likely come up as an early form of runic language.
Now I'm not saying other forms of languages out there do not fall into this category, just that my primary focus is on the QR code. Some might wonder what led to this train of thought, well... I was thinking about memes and memeology in passing down information in the form of images (I might be wholly incorrect in my definitions so far on both memes and QR, so correct me if I'm wrong) and then I thought of the QR code which then led me to consider it a viable form of early runic language.

JUST BARE IN MIND THAT I AM NO EXPERT IN ANY OF SAID SUBJECTS.
 

Tsuru

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laccoff_mawning

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If all you consider a rune requiring is some form of information encoding, then I suppose you could say a QR code is a rune.

But with that definition of a rune, I feel like every single writing system ever could be considered runic. I think we'd need to find a distinction between runes and normal alphabet to decide.

The main difference is perhaps that a QR code is designed to be compact, while most alphabets are designed to be easily read.
 

beast_regards

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Runes in the real world were letters of the alphabet.

They don't inherently contain any more information than the letter "A" would.

Runes in the fantasy content are often portrayed as vessels containing the magical power, usually a very specific one.

They are programming language of magic, basically. QR code analogy isn't entirely wrong, but inaccurate, as you could imagine it more like as compiled software of magic that programs the items with the specific powers. If you compare your magical sword to IPhone, then magical runes are iOS.
 

Jimyd

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You do have a point. But I'm leaning on the fact that the QR code is compact, if you look at most iterations of runes in books a rune is just a higher dimension information storage. If looking at the western/European fantasy form of runes we can see that rune are heavily implied to be a language i.e dragonic runes, elven runes etc which can be described as a runic system evolved from the power language of those creatures, while the human runes can said to be derived from studying other forms of runes and learning. If we look at it from that angle then yes it may seem alphabetic.
But if considered from the xainxia novels point of view were rune were comprehended from observing the laws of the heavens which causes them to operate on a strict operational system then the QR code theory makes more sense. Though the QR wasn't some heavenly law but can be considered a memeic
 

Piisfun

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I just thought of this so I haven't covered all bases, but hypothetically could a QR code be considered an early rune.
If we simplify the definition of rune without all the mystical mumbojumbo, isn't a rune just a form of language age that can store, edit and project information?
Based on what I got from Google a QR code is a 2d bar code that can store information that will be released when scanned by a phone. Now I'm not saying I have it down to a science but theoretically if we were to come in contact with a quote on quote higher form if energy i.e aether, mana, qi, spiritual energy, prana etc that can interact with information a QR code may most likely come up as an early form of runic language.
Now I'm not saying other forms of languages out there do not fall into this category, just that my primary focus is on the QR code. Some might wonder what led to this train of thought, well... I was thinking about memes and memeology in passing down information in the form of images (I might be wholly incorrect in my definitions so far on both memes and QR, so correct me if I'm wrong) and then I thought of the QR code which then led me to consider it a viable form of early runic language.

JUST BARE IN MIND THAT I AM NO EXPERT IN ANY OF SAID SUBJECTS.
The key defining feature of "runic" alphabets is that they were originally designed for ease of engraving into stone or metal. This leads simple characters with lots of straight segments that can easily be cut with a chisel.
They also tend to not be particularly information dense, since that requires more complex characters.

A QR code should not count as a rune; it would be an abject nightmare to engrave.

Compare this to ancient Egyptian or Chinese, both of which were primarily painted rather than engraved; they have highly complex characters that allow for large amounts of information in a small space, but likewise are awful to engrave; it the case of ancient Egypt it was basically reserved for monuments and tombs.
It should also be noted that both of them had access to some form of paper very early on, which led to this style of writing being viable.
 
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NotaNuffian

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I might have missed something or just forgot my linguistic teaching but isn't all writing something that stores, edit and projects information?
I think OP writing for computers not humans.

On that note, magic circles with shapes can also be considered runes/ writing language
 

Navillus

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I see… I am now gonna start referring to QR codes as primal runes from now on-nya.
 
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