@malte To be clear, I'm not saying you can't restrict the definition of "real" like that, and I'm not trying to conflate imaginary and physical existence or say that everything is real in the same way. I'm just saying I find it useful and delightful to define multiple ways of being real.

What is your preferred word for narratives or ideas that affect the world? E.g., race has no biological basis but it is _____.

@malte @evan Indeed! Other people's actions based on those times, in good or bad faith, are also sometimes the issue rather than my personal thoughts. There are many definitions of what is "real", and having an effect in the world is my favourite one

@evan More options please. Imagined pasts, mistaken presents, possible futures, impossible and forbidden times... these all seem to have real effects on me