[Text]

[lightsoflife]

Some thoughts.

This network was created just over a year ago, at the beginning of April 2013. Nobody knows how, or why, or by whom if there is a whom. People have noted echoes (or pulses, if you prefer that term) previous to that date, however, so it's possible that the echoes are tied into the nature of the network but not the cause or effect.

The logic behind it all is still unclear, however. Does everyone who receives an echo receive access to this network as well, or only a subset? Why are members of this network detectable in some way, by dogs or by chemicals? Why are we perceived to be a threat?

And I'm somewhat hesitant to go this far, but could there be some purpose to it all? The thought seems absurd, but at the same time I have doubts on whether it's all random. But assuming there is a purpose: what is it? Is the network's purpose and/or that of the echoes we receive to facilitate the achievement of that one, and if so what would happen if that purpose were to be fulfilled?

This is all speculative, of course. I'd be surprised if anyone had answers.

Comments

[ghostly_heiress]

So far it seems the incident credited to the aliens have all produced an echo in people at least once. Moreover, whatever these other lives are, they do not follow the same logic as our world does.

The fact that the aliens are the one CONSISTENT cause of echoes would say that there is a causation, whether it be deliberate or a side affect.

With the fact all these other lives cannot be 'present' in this world, I think that it may be the aliens aren't either. It may be a resonating affect, it may be something more dire.

As for the network, that is a lot harder to make a guess at.

[lightsoflife]

Hm, that's an interesting theory. Then what does it mean for us, I wonder, if these other selves aren't of this world? It must connect somehow.

It could also explain how we're detectable in some way. If there's some element to us that isn't natural and is shared by the aliens somehow, they might know to look for that in order to find us.

Written

[ghostly_heiress]

[The response is delayed. She is THEORIZING.]

It's very possible. It certainly comes up in science fiction often enough. When people cross over into other dimensions, they has a sort of energy that comes with them. If you know what to look for and the technology they have, it wouldn't be hard to find ways to track it.

Perhaps that is what is happening with the Network? If we were to assume everyone who echoes has a number, it may be that it invokes a sort of shared consciousness. If outsiders cannot perceive use of the network, it may be the physical remains are not there at all, and merely what we perceive to understand what we're doing.

Though that idea does fall apart if the aliens also have this energy sticking to them. Unless it's the fact they're their full selves? Since we still have things filtering through, it may give us more of a connection to whatever the Network is.

[lightsoflife]

I hesitate to directly apply principles of science fiction, but in this case it could make sense.

Some other food for thought: the pink substance that was added to the water supply last year reacted to members of this network and nobody else. I myself drank it without incident at first, but having witnessed the effects I believe it would have caused me to react if I'd come in contact with it after my first echo. So the status of having echoes and access to this network seems to be directly tied to whether or not this otherworldly quality is detected - if the theory is true.

Unfortunately, testing any of that would be difficult. Nothing at the lab was able to determine just what that pink substance was made of, although I believe it was connected to some stone that was found underneath the Tuning Towers.

[ghostly_heiress]

Science fiction should never be underestimated. There is a great deal of technology in today's world inspired by it, and sometimes the science they use is actually rather sound, if only in theory.

There does seem to be some sort of, for lack of a better word, psychic element to how things can react, since it seems to be a mental state that can either be protection or a hindrance. Such as there does seem to be something that will make people turn docile and while those around me are affected, I have been fine. Others have noticed the occurrence as well.

[There is a pause here.]

A substance that can turn to liquid or stone. There is not a lot of matter in the world that can change it's forms, let alone so drastically. We've also seen it move with the giant snake.

I wonder if you studied other substances from other worlds, if perhaps you could find out more. Have a wider basis, especially if the substance is versatile as well.

[lightsoflife]

Are you referring to the effects of the buzzing some time back, with regards to the docility? That is something else to consider, yes.

I'd very much like to study this more, to be honest. The unfortunate part is that getting things to study isn't so easy.

[ghostly_heiress]

Buzzing? I don't recall any buzzing. I mean sometimes the people just zone out. It was happening over several weeks.

I think I might be able to get you a sample of a substance that's otherworldly. It may even have some of that versatility, upon consideration of a few factors. I just need to talk to someone else about it first.

[lightsoflife]

Oh, could you? Anything to compare with would be great if so.

As for the buzzing, that went along with the zoning out that occurred before - or at least, the two were related. We believe that the rock underneath the Tuning Towers was related.

[ghostly_heiress]

I'll see what I can do. If they say no, I can eventually get you a sample, but I'll need to go through a few more hoops for it. [Like echo back ecto blood herself.] While still being ethical, anyway.

So it shouldn't happen anyway? That would be nice. It's always rather disconcerting when everyone freezes like that.

[lightsoflife]

I can be patient. Thank you.

I would have liked to understand the effects of that buzzing more, but unfortunately that's no longer an option.

[ghostly_heiress]

You're welcome.

It is a shame. Unless something else starts buzzing.

((OOC: Also log for meeting things))

[lightsoflife]

It would be interesting, but given the headache the buzzing caused I'd settle for learning through other means.

[ghostly_heiress]

Headaches? So it made normal people docile and caused Numbered headaches?

[lightsoflife]

Something like that, although I would say it was the buzzing that caused the headaches.

[ghostly_heiress]

Yes, that's what meant. Or did you mean the sound of the buzzing did, like any annoying sound?

[lightsoflife]

Just the noise. Imagine hearing it for months.

[ghostly_heiress]

Oh. Yes, that would get annoying. Was it around a certain area?

[lightsoflife]

It was all over the city, but strongest around the Tuning Towers.

[ghostly_heiress]

Oh. I didn't have much chance to go near there after my first. I suppose that's why I didn't notice.

[lightsoflife]

It also subsided some time ago, back when an earthquake hit this city.

[ghostly_heiress]

You mean the one in December? That would be before my first Echo then.

[lightsoflife]

That would certainly explain why you never noticed the noise.

[ghostly_heiress]

Yes, it would. I was still unaware of those things.

Which is odd when you think about it.

[lightsoflife]

You said you noticed that people were zoning out even before your first echo, didn't you?

[ghostly_heiress]

No, it was after.