[2] joint post!

[covenantal]

Hi, everyone. Shirogane-san and I had an idea we wanted to approach the rest of you with. We were discussing the impact Retrospec seems to have on its users, and what we might be able to find out about that connection.

Thank you, Narukami.

Through all of the memory issues facing us, there seems to be one constant: the presence or absence of the Retrospec app. Those with the app on their phones have a certain memory, those without it have another. Logically, only one group can be right. Either horses and faceless fruit once existed, or they never have. One group has had its memories tampered with. Either Retrospec is the cause of this tampering, or it is inoculating us to it.

With that in mind, we’d like to ask for volunteers to cease all usage of Retrospec for one week. We know it’s a lot to ask, but no other normal activities should be restricted.

Indeed. And as a further control group, we’d like some other volunteers to refrain from using their phone at all during this time period-- this way, we can isolate if it is Retrospec, something else on our technology, or this hypothesis is completely false.

We don’t have any compensation that we can offer you for this experiment other than the possibility of answers. We hope this is compelling enough on its own, though if you insist on some kind of payment, we’ll try to think of something.

Knowledge is, ideally, its own reward. But yes. Something.

Let us know if you have any questions, and, of course, if you’d like to volunteer. Thanks for your time.

( ooc: you can check out ooc information about this post right on over here! in short, nothing will actually happen as a result of staying off the network. anyway, both yu and naoto will be responding to replies here! )

Comments

[longwei2go]

only one big problem there
it shows up on my laptop too
or any computer i sit down at

[covenantal]

It kind of follows you around, huh? I guess you'd have to stop using that kind of technology entirely.

[truedetective]

Yes, we're aware that this request may be onerous or difficult. I don't expect many people to oblige.

[true_noir]

There is no way we can begin to test what is going on here, if we do not begin testing this is there? We've seen people return to 'normal,' but we don't know if it is because they stopped using the app, or if they were somehow taken off of it, do we?

I'll sign up. I'm going to lock my cell phone up and turn my modem off for a week. I will give my boss a heads up that we're doing this, and make sure he knows how he can get ahold of me for work. I'm not much of a social media person, so I think I might be good for this. And, besides, I could use a break. I've been too active lately.

I'll start this evening, after you and I stop chatting, and log back in on the 12th. Will that be acceptable?

[covenantal]

Yeah. This could be one way of testing that, though obviously it comes with some risks.

It's very kind of you to volunteer. Thank you, Chloe.

Yes, that's acceptable. If Shirogane-san has anything to add, he'll let you know.

[truedetective]

That should work.

I appreciate it, Chloe.

[furtherforward]

why don't you do it
yourselves?
can't part from your devices for a week, so you'll have somebody else do your work for you? it's a lot to ask a bunch of strangers without reward.. ESPECIALLY ones who need to use their laptops and such for the sake of work or school.

[covenantal]

We never said we wouldn't. However, we thought it would be best to see how many volunteers we could gather before simply doing it ourselves.

Besides, we're not trying to compel anyone to volunteer. If for some reason you can't part with your devices, that's fine.

[truedetective]

An experiment needs a control.

I of course don't expect people to volunteer if it would unfairly disrupt their lives.

[redarm]

as much as id love a good excuse to duck off and not talk to anyone.
i need my phone for my job.

[covenantal]

That's fine, Noah. Thank you for being willing.

[truedetective]

That does seem to be a problem for many people, yes. You're not forced to partake, of course.

[darkinferno]

Nyante Cattailen i didn't use my phone for over four days straight last week
Nyante Cattailen or anything else it could have installed itself on
Nyante Cattailen if you're wondering if that helps prevent you from remembering stuff, it doesn't

[covenantal]

Mew Nyarukami Four days...
Mew Nyarukami With no effect?
Mew Nyarukami Maybe that means the period of time needs to be longer. Or maybe it means that not being in contact with Retrospec doesn't matter.
Mew Nyarukami I'd still like to test it and make sure.

[vendettastool]

I can't participate in this experiment due to my work but if you want to add any rewards, I could probably pitch in something. Gift cards or something like that, if that will help with getting a control group.

[covenantal]

That's kind and very appreciated of you to offer. We'll let you know if we need your help.

[notyourutopian]

Huh.
It's an interesting idea.
I can't really participate I have to use the computers at school for the paper.
And homework and stuff.
And Retrospec is on everything.

It's even an app on my smart tv!
I've been ignoring that at least.

[covenantal]

It's alright. Please don't worry about it. We're only asking for volunteers if they're able.

... really? Wow.

[complementing]

I'm gonna have to add myself to the list of people who can't help, I need my phone for work and ReVA stuff too sorry Yu-kun, Shirogane-kun (◞‸◟；) if people are being jerks and asking for compensation then send them my way at the bakery! I'll stuff them full of cupcakes until they want to regret it (●ᴗ●)

[complementing]

oh though maybe I could keep using Retrospec during a mass exodus to see if it affects the app in some way! ( ・◇・)

[appraiser]

having trouble getting volunteers? i wouldn't mind unplugging for a week since i don't have school, and work is mostly papers and a corded telephone (´∀｀)ﾉ
i'll have to ask for compensation though! in the form of somebody i can trust my phone and accounts to in case there is an emergency

[covenantal]

Really? That'd be great, as long as you're sure.

Someone you can trust your phone with... I'd offer myself, but I'm not sure if that's enough. Is there anyone you can think of that you'd trust with that?

[youraffection]

not use our phones at all???
i know shit is weird but thats like putting ppl in solitary confinement is that really fair

[covenantal]

We're not forcing anyone, just asking. No one has to do it if they don't want to.

[clear_eyes]

My mother wants me to keep my phone with me at all times due to potential emergencies and because her schedule is often in flux. I'm also not proud to admit anxiety would probably make abstaining from Retrospec impossible for me.

But I do have an interest in the results of this test.

[covenantal]

Please don't push yourself. We don't want to cause anyone any undue stress. Only those who can or truly want to volunteer should do so.

However, I'm happy to share what we find out.

[caelestialis]

I'll be willing to try this out since you asked so kindly. I don't mind not using a computer or phone for a little while. I'll just tell my coworkers and my loved ones that my internet is down and my cellphone is broken to explain this.

Maybe it'll have people actually use my poor landline phone again.

To be serious- Is there something we should watch out for while this is happening? Signs? Symptoms?

[truedetective]

Appreciated.

I can't say if there's anything in particular that you might be looking for. Anything at all would be a data point we can use... even if nothing happens at all.

[constellates]

anya wants to help but mama would not understand if i did not have my phone
so i cannot
if there is anything i can help with
please let me know !
i can tell you both about things on the network that you cannot see if anything important happens ?

[truedetective]

I wasn't intending on participating myself. I was planning on being a control.

Still, I may have to reevaluate that plan.

I appreciate your offer Anya.

[tokencanadian]

As much as I'd like to be a part of this little experiment, I'm one of those people that needs their phone.
and my laptop.
and the app is on both.
And school is just finishng up

[truedetective]

Yes. There are quite a few people in your boat. Understandable, if unfortunate.

[accordance]

Alas, I am a doctor so I am unable to distance myself from technology.

However, I would very much like to see any results or data that you collect, if that is alright.

[truedetective]

Understandable. Your profession requires it. What kind of doctor?

[standalonehuman]

Hitori Togusa This is a great idea. Shirogane-san, somehow I'm not surprised you came up with this. Good job.
Hitori Togusa I haven't had any of the 'other' memories that people have been speaking of. Nothing personally relevant, just horses, fruit. If I tried to participate, would that throw you off?

[truedetective]

No, it wouldn't. Any further data points might help, regardless of circumstance.

Thank you for your kind words, Officer.

[megabond]

This is an interesting experiment you've come up with.

While I do want to join as a volunteer, I don't know if I can able to stay away from any computer for a while, considering that it may open the site by itself.

I can stay away from my phone for a while but most of my files for my lecture Powerpoint files came from my laptop after all.

[truedetective]

I'm afraid I don't know if that would work.

It must be a clean break. Everything or nothing at all.