I did see the [EMOTION EXTERNALIZED] when I set the PCI/PPE to H, but the only thing that happened was an anomaly showing up (which looked humanoid but I think it gave me a game over, or at least sent me back to the last checkpoint when I tried to go toward it). As for the note, I could try replaying it again and seeing if it works this time, and I could send a screenshot if it happens again. I didn't think it should've been blank, but even restarting didn't fix it. So, I'm not sure what caused it. Could it be because I didn't have the CSRI needed to technically activate the puzzle? All I can tell you is that I found the pillars because I turned on the overlay while trying to look in every direction to find SOMETHING that might lead me somewhere. It wasn't hidden, though it took me a little while to get to it.
The anomaly appears when NSC (focus) is below a certain threshold. So, after messing with a few button configs. It does kill you once it gets too close. With the note, my best guess is a UI scaling issue. Did the note itself have a visible texture? Was it only blank when you interacted and the popup opened?