What is scp

What is SCP?

SCP stands for 'Secure, Contain, Protect,' the motto of the fictional SCP Foundation featured in a collaborative online creative project. The SCP Foundation Wiki is a community-driven website where thousands of writers contribute entries describing supernatural, paranormal, and anomalous entities and objects that require containment. Each entry follows a standardized format documenting an anomaly's properties, effects, and the containment procedures necessary to keep it safely secured. The project began in 2008 on 4chan and has grown into one of the largest collaborative fiction projects on the internet.

The SCP Foundation Concept

The SCP Foundation is a fictional secret organization tasked with identifying, capturing, and containing anomalous phenomena that pose a threat to normal human existence. According to the fiction, the Foundation operates in secret, conducting research on anomalies while keeping their existence hidden from the public. The Foundation maintains secure facilities worldwide where dangerous anomalies are studied and contained under strict protocols. Personnel include security staff, scientists, and administrators working to understand and manage these supernatural threats.

SCP Entry Format

Each SCP entry follows a standardized document format that includes an item number, object class (determining danger level), description of properties, containment procedures, and addenda containing test logs and incident reports. The object class system ranges from Safe (easily contained) to Euclid (difficult to contain) to Keter (extremely dangerous and difficult to contain), with special classes like Thaumiel for anomalies that help contain other anomalies. This format creates an encyclopedia-like structure that makes entries feel authentic and consistent, enhancing the fiction's immersive quality.

Notable SCPs and Examples

Some of the most famous SCPs include SCP-173 (a humanoid creature that moves when not observed), SCP-682 (an indestructible reptilian entity), SCP-999 (a friendly, blob-like entity that spreads joy), and SCP-106 (an old humanoid entity that can pass through matter). These entries showcase the variety of anomalies in the project, ranging from terrifying entities to neutral or even benevolent beings. The creative writing quality varies, with some entries achieving literary excellence while others offer humorous or experimental takes on the SCP concept.

Community and Expansion

The SCP Foundation project thrives on community contributions from writers worldwide. The community maintains strict guidelines for new entries, rejecting those that don't meet quality standards or fit the project's tone. The project has spawned multiple spin-offs including international Foundation wikis in different languages, each developing unique SCPs adapted to local culture and traditions. Fan art, fan fiction, and related creative works extend the SCP universe beyond the original wiki.