[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

[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.

[caelestialis]

I see! I'll try to record my day-to-day activities and give it to you so you have some information at least. I apologise in advance if it's boring! The life of teacher isn't always an exciting one.

If anything happens at all, do I contact you both right away?

[truedetective]

That might be difficult. It's looking like we'll also have to participate to have more data points. At any rate, it doesn't matter if you contact us immediately or afterwards. Perhaps write it down at the time, in case any memory changes revert when you begin using Retrospec again?

[caelestialis]

I can understand why the others can't participate but I'll do my best to help you both. This could prove vital no matter what the results are.

And of course! I'll be more than happy to do that. I do have a question though: If there is a connection to the app and the occurrences, what will the next step be? Getting a new phone and everything to get away from it?

[truedetective]

I have no idea. That entirely depends on what we learn.

The app downloads itself onto our phones, after all. There may not be a choice.

[caelestialis]

That's a good point. Hopefully something can be done about this. It's getting rather ridiculous at this point.

Well! I'll let you know the results of what happens when I go internetless for the week. Hopefully I can help you out.

[covenantal]

Thank you. Seriously, every volunteer counts, so it's appreciated that you're willing.

We think it might impact any "memories" you may have been having. What some people have been referring to as the hallucinomemories, or visions. Let us know if you experience more, or less.

[caelestialis]

Really? If this does stop me from almost passing out every time one of those visions happen then count me in even more.

It's gotten to the point I'm worried it'll interfere with my work with how they hit me. I rather not experience the day of passing out in front of my students while teaching them.

[covenantal]

Retrospec seems to be directly involved with what we "remember," so it's at least a hypothesis worth investigating.

I'm sorry to hear they've been causing you so much trouble. Have you had a chance to speak to your work about it?

[caelestialis]

I gave them a heads up when I realised it wasn't just a coincidence I keep feeling dizzy every time a vision happens. They've been very understanding but are getting worried about me.

Suppose I didn't help my case I was trying to tell them about the fruits in the past.

[covenantal]

I get lightheaded when I get a new "memory," but not to the same extent, from the sound of it. Please, take care of yourself.

Haha. Anyone at all thinking fruit with faces is normal might be the strangest part about that whole thing.

[caelestialis]

I will! I would hate to not be able to give you the results of my end of this experiment if I'm out of commission.

I know this could be jinxing us but I wonder what will happen next? Talking furniture? Anything is possible at this point.