(002 video)

[fractaljesus]

[The video opens on a shot of an odd, vaguely conch-shaped object sitting upon a table, shimmering with strange iridescence in the light. Anyone familiar with the Lunar Scientia laboratories might recognize one of the R&D labs out of focus in the background.]

This object has been developed at the Lunar Scientia with my assistance. We have decided to call it the 'Dinnumion.'

[Yaha-kui zaShunina walks into frame behind the table, and the camera zooms out so that both he and the object are in frame.]

When two people make physical contact with the Dinnumion, they can share their thoughts with one another. In this way, mental images, emotions, and memories can be accurately transferred directly from one mind to another. This connection ends when when physical contact with the device is broken. The Dinnumion is a device that will improve communication and reduce misunderstandings.

I would like to give the Dinnumion to the people of Lunatia. However, the materials required to create a single device are rare, and so it is not currently possible to mass-produce. I can create more of them by replication, but each reproduction will require two weeks to complete. Moreover, though I would like to give them as a gift, the process of creation requires a substantial quantity of chroma. The only compensation I require is an amount of chroma equal to the creation requirement.

You may respond either directly to this video or to my inbox if you wish to receive a Dinnumion. Currently, only this single unit exists, [Meaning the one on the table] and two weeks will be required to create another. [Which means there's going to be a waiting list if more than one order is made.]

((OOC: I've put up an OOC post regarding the Dinnumion here for any questions you might have for it.))

Comments

Re: video

[the_archivist]

Transferring thoughts is- why would you? Someone knowing you like that, it's horrible. Other people shouldn't be in your mind.

Let's just assume he's going to continue answering in video form.

[fractaljesus]

[zaShunina smiles in a way that he hopes is reassuring.]

Perhaps you have an image in your mind that is difficult to describe, or you wish for someone to understand an emotion you are experiencing. The Dinnumion may be used to communicate these things more accurately than words.

Video

[the_archivist]

I understand that. I just think it's a horrifying idea.

I've seen this sort of power used. On close friends. It was extremely traumatic.

[fractaljesus]

Use of the Dinnumion is voluntary.

[the_archivist]

I'm sure it has been so far. Doesn't mean it always will be.

And even if it is willing, what if one person thinks of something horrifying while using it. Intrusive thoughts are a risk.

[fractaljesus]

All things carry a risk of being abused in ways unintended by their creator. For example, medicine may be used to heal, but may also cause irreparable damage if used incorrectly. A sharp knife's intended use is to prepare food, but it can also kill if that is its holder's intention.

[As for intrusive thoughts... yeah, those are definitely a risk. He can't even deny that.]

[the_archivist]

Sure, but that's not forcing something into someone's mind.

And really, I don't see why anyone would want to share thoughts that closely with someone. It sounds- I wouldn't want anyone in my head. Some things are meant to be private.

[fractaljesus]

Use of the Dinnumion is voluntary. [He repeats,] I will not give you a unit if you do not desire one.

[He can't control what others might do with it, but it's out of his hands at that point.]

[the_archivist]

I just think there may be significant ethical considerations. Especially when there are people here from different species. Thoughts might not even be compatible.

[fractaljesus]

That is possible. I cannot use the Dinnumion myself for this reason. [As much as he'd like to.

...He doesn't even bother commenting on the "significant ethical considerations."]

[the_archivist]

What if two people try this and it causes someone's death? Or brain damage?

[fractaljesus]

Among the Prismals who have tested the Dinnumion at the Lunar Scientia laboratories, no indication of harm has been observed. A significant disparity in information capacity would be necessary for damage to occur. No such disparity exists in this world of which I am aware.

[With himself being the only exception he knows of, hence why he knows he can't use it.]

[the_archivist]

[Information disparity... like the barely held back ocean of all knowledge in his mind.]

What do you mean, significant information capacity? In terms of this? And what would you consider a disparity?

[fractaljesus]

[zaShunina pauses, considering his words. How can he translate something so foundational as information capacity into terms that can be understood in this context?]

The universe in which Prismatica exists adheres to a simple standard of three spacial dimensions. I understand this to be the case with the majority of the worlds from which the Moonblessed originate as well. As such, the information capacity between them is relatively consistent.

However, with each additional spacial dimension that is added, that capacity increases exponentially. The difference in information capacity between a three-dimensional entity and a fourth-dimensional entity is not considered significant, but any greater disparity than this carries a risk of incompatibility. This risk is reduced by possessing a greater understanding of these higher dimensions.

[A pause, and then] Does that answer your question?

[the_archivist]

Broadly but still.

What about an entity that exists outside of reality? What would that do?

[fractaljesus]

That question is too vague for me to give an adequate answer. Please clarify.

[the_archivist]

Just what I said. Something that exists outside the bounds of reality. Something eternal and incomprehensible.

[fractaljesus]

'Incomprehensible' is subjective. To an ant, a human is incomprehensible. I will assume you intend an existence that is incomprehensible to humanity, but even that is far too vague. There are too many variables.

With only the available information you have given me, it is impossible to know if using the Dinnumion would be safe for such an entity. However, if it is truly incomprehensible as your say, then the information that would be transferred would not be able to be understood even if it is safe.

[the_archivist]

Yes, I've heard the ant metaphor before. An ant would surely believe that a boot, a finger, and an eye were different beings.

It wouldn't be safe. It would be... hungry.

[fractaljesus]

Your questions are too specific to be hypothetical. [One of zaShunina's disembodied hands appears from the void to pick up the Dinnumion, holding the object in his upturned palm as the limb floats in mid-air.]

You do not wish to use the Dinnumion, so why does its compatibility concern you?

[the_archivist]

[Hmm, curious. Interesting actually.]

Because I know there are entities of incomprehensible power that can affect the world through human conduits. And I know exactly how much trauma touching someone's mind can cause.

[fractaljesus]

[And yet Yaha-kui zaShunina is so used to moving his arms in this manner that it never occurs to him to explain them unless explicitly asked, so he won't. He also has no way to know who has or hasn't seen the old network post he'd made that explains everything.]

Do you know for certain if any of these entities possess the capability to affect this world specifically? [zaShunina is one such entity, but he doesn't even need the Dinnumion to touch a person's mind. Not that he wants to, for the exact reason Jonathan just stated. He has no desire to destroy anyone's mind.]

[the_archivist]

[It's nothing Jon is going to ask him to stop. The more he sees, the more he experiences... it takes the edge off.]

I'm very certain.

[fractaljesus]

[Well then he's going to keep doing it, because it's much easier for him to fold space than it is to navigate his cloak and physically push it out of the way.]

Yourself or someone else?

[the_archivist]

Someone else. From the same world as me.

[He doesn't specifically know that there's no other Avatars here after all. It might be true. It just isn't the whole truth.]