Harvard physicist's take on the VMS

[nablator]

Basically, I’ve noticed that the theories of gibberish (well, the really worthwhile ones) have an explanation for how the text is written, but no explanation for why.

Because there are many speculations about possible reasons already, like showing or selling it to a gullible mark. In a world where "alchemical" herbals exist, a more mysterious herbal++ is not entirely a surprise.