It closely resembles the situation that exists within a mental institution: in tight quarters, in similar garb, dissimilar minds attempt to build a consensus reality that, with a monumental effort of empathy, cannot—can never!—take concrete form.

AppendiX, "King Squid", Part III: Expounding with brevity on the pecularities of squid lore, note 32 - City of Saints and Madmen (2001–2004)