006; text; computer

[kingside]

Is there any chance that we might negotiate for another week of relative peace before our enemies resume their efforts to eradicate us? Yes, I recognize that the chances are slim to nonexistent, but my capacity for higher reasoning seems to have vanished over the past few days.

On a more relevant note, I was toying with the idea of creating a survey that might give us a clearer picture of our numbers, age range, and so on— largely superficial data, in other words, that would not help to identify us individually but would help us to better organize ourselves. I have my doubts about whether a comprehensive database would be the best idea, but this seems a logical compromise. If I were to do this, would you be willing to participate? Suggestions for what to include would also be appreciated.

Lastly, we seem to be gaining newcomers daily. Many of you have already had this link handy to assist them, but I urge those of you who haven't to correct this. This lull in activity is likely the calm before the storm. We need to be prepared.

Comments

Text; Laptop;

[searchforpeace]

They seemed not to enjoy any sort of negotiation that didn't entail complete and immediate surrender.

More to the point though, I would be interested in any superficial data you may gather with your survey. Organizing has been on my mind a lot lately.

[steelettos]

I didn't know there's an underlying plot to all of this. Then again, I suppose it's to be expected.

Do you need any volunteers to help conduct the survey?

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[kingside]

How very reassuring.

I'll be sure to pass it on, then. Was there any information in particular that you were hoping to see included?

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[kingside]

Perhaps not so much with conducting it as compiling the data after it has been completed. If it's centered on superficial data, I can't imagine it taking that much work to administer. Of course, I could be wrong.

At present, what I'm seeking is largely what questions to include beyond those I'm already considering. Age, gender, and species are the most obvious, as is "When did you first receive your number to access the network?" and "When did you first access the network?" "How many people from the network do you recognize from visions or memories you've gained, if any?" is another, but I'm not entirely sold on it just yet.

I suppose the most difficult aspect of this task is determining what to ask that won't compromise anyone's identities but will give us as much usable data as possible.

[iaijutsu]

I would participate.

I think there may be some value in trying to get a general picture of what people have gained or remembered. I doubt most would want to discuss many specifics, but even something vague might be enough to spot patterns. Everything I've remembered seems to have been in old Japan, like something out of a Kurosawa movie, for example - if we keep it to something that broad, maybe people will be more willing to discuss and compare.

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[steelettos]

It depends on how many are actually included in this secret numbers society and are willing to answer the questions. I'm guessing it shouldn't take so long as well.

Do you think including skills or abilities matter? It doesn't need to be overly complicated and people need not be extensive with their answer, though I'm not sure how many would offer this information. We may need that info to figure out who and which would be most suited for what task if we're to organize ourselves though.

text {smartphone}

[ursoreckless]

so there was an attempt or someone trying to contact us? i don't think it would have amounted to much considering what i've been hearing.

some kind of organization should be looked at. if there's gonna be a fight then we'll need to know what kind of resistance we can bring to the show. maybe there's a way to get a kind of conference call or something so we can talk among ourselves? not have to show our faces or meet where someone would notice but still able to hash out things idek.

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[kingside]

"Secret numbers society." There really ought to be a better name for it.

I hadn't been considering questions like that at this stage, but that's a very good point. Something as simple as "Describe your skill set/any special abilities you may have" and "What role do you feel you would be most suited for" would likely work. Naturally, the degree to which people participate would be up to them.

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[icy_heavens]

I'd participate. Running around on our own too much will probably get us killed sooner or later.

[kingside]

In other words, something like, "Describe what memories, physical changes, items, skills, and/or abilities you have gained or remembered," with an accompanying message stating that participants can go into as much or as little detail as they prefer.

[iaijutsu]

That would work, yes. Skills and abilities may be more useful from a purely organizational perspective, but I do believe there is value in seeing just how much and where our memories may align.

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[kingside]

It didn't.

People on the network seem to be moving in that direction, but I haven't heard much in the way of specifics yet.

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[kingside]

Any suggestions for what to include? You might hit upon a point that we've missed.

[kingside]

Yes, any patterns that emerge will definitely help us. If we're lucky.

[Text]

[shiromadoushi]

Long as there's nothing that could be used to identify us, yeah sure. Though not really sure how that sort of thing is going to help.

[iaijutsu]

At least a few of us have confirmed connections. The things I have seen people talk about seem disparate enough that I'd hardly expect everyone to be, but I would be willing to bet there are at least a few connections that haven't yet made themselves apparent.

[Text]

[kingside]

[... Oh for goodness's sake.]

Participants can decide for themselves how much detail they wish to include. Besides, it's not like the survey will be compulsory.

[kingside]

Either way, it can't hurt to ask.

[shiromadoushi]

If you don't get everybody with it, it won't really give you a proper idea of what you're looking for.

[kingside]

And how exactly do you propose enforcing participation?

I accept that the survey's results will be imperfect and likely incomplete. I do not accept that we should adopt an "all or nothing" stance on administering it. I respect people's privacy, to say nothing of those who are physically incapable of responding or who won't see the survey when it appears at all.

[shiromadoushi]

You'd have better luck just looking over what people have posted and gathering data that way. You'd get a better picture of how many people there are and what they're willing to share.

Hell, a bunch of them you'd even get full names and information from just with that.

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[steelettos]

It's pretty accurate though.

That's all I have so far. I'm having difficulty thinking of more questions as I've no idea what we need to organize against and for exactly. And given the amount of hesitation from some of us in providing information

( including her actually. )

I'm thinking of a disclaimer at the start that they can decide the degree of their participation in the survey and need not answer everything. Just in case.

[iaijutsu]

The worst that happens is that people say no.

[kingside]

There is a great deal of information people would be comfortable revealing that they don't automatically include in their entries on here.

The anonymity of this network makes it difficult to differentiate between posters.

There are a mere handful of people who have included their full names.

While I don't doubt the merits of going over absolutely everything people have submitted to this network with a fine-toothed comb, there is also the fact that it would take a considerable amount of time, to say nothing of the fact that I and others interested in this information are fully capable of human error.

Shall I go on?

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[kingside]

Accurate, yes, but it lacks a certain gravitas.

I'd been thinking of including a disclaimer like that from the start, don't worry. Please let me know if you think of anything else that should be included. You've been very helpful.