Breaking the final wall – Risk vs Gain?
Before I begin, I’d like to comment that this is a required upload to any Marshalship vessel with a CTI representative aboard.
The field of simulation has been of a focal point for the CoRe and Marshalship both since its origins. The reasons almost go without saying – the ability to test and try any number of scenarios for any number of reasons over and over without physical repercussions or even physical limitations has spurt our productivity rate in every field many fold. In truth, however, there are problems which our current setup cannot solve and never will be able to without modification. That problem is the fact that a simulation is just that – an accepted facade. No matter how we try to immerse ourselves in such an environment, most circumstances will not allow us to ‘truly’ fall into the moment.
That is now the subject of research at hand. The human (or simply sentient) psyche is a delicate and fragile entity that even today is hard to explain and alter. Trying to do so carelessly has caused irreparable damage to the subject at hand countless times in the past. But the fact cannot be ignored – should we not seek to understand this topic? Should we not seek to better understand ourselves? This is especially prudent in times of conflict and battle. How many times have lives been lost simply due to the shock surrounding the subject of life and death?
Records can answer for that. In a random sampling of recorded wartime conflicts from twenty members of the CoRe prior to their actual joining, it was found that nearly 5% of all soldiers, when put into real combat, ceased to function accordingly. Of course, that is a description and a number, what does that mean really? It was set under a strict set of criterion – when shots were fired, so to speak, something snapped. This could include the sudden realization that one did not have the emotion necessary to take a human life, the focus necessary to concentrate and function under the pressure of combat, or even the inability to maintain one’s self in the environment of allies – friends – constantly falling around you. Such surveys and records cannot even hope to be fully aware of the records and accounts shown and told, either, so the count is likely to be higher than lower. What this means is that, due to improper awareness of ones of mental capacity, 5% or more of all soldiers are sent out to die without even giving a fighting effort for their causes.
And so comes this recent simulation research. I will not describe the methodology or technology, that is not my duty. All I have been required to say is that research has been funded and is well into alpha testing of what I am about to describe. The setup, put simply, seeks to alter the subjects memories as their physical form is put into stasis upon simulation activation. It offers a very clouded explanation to the mind that roughly mimics memory, filling in only the gaps that the brain actually asks for or tries to resolve. This in turn makes the simulation real, from the subjects perspective. The setting, the reason they are there, the history which brought them there all makes an attempt to fall into place and feel naturally explained. And so the simulation of reality is created – the final wall of self-awareness is brought down.
The flaw of the system is obvious. When the program is ended, the algorithm attempts to backtrack itself, offering a simulated explanation for the new memories the subject, or subjects, just experienced. “Just kidding, it was practice!” The brain is more accepting of lies than explanations, though. The ending is the piece which causes true problems in the system.
First, simulation or not, trauma becomes real. It is easily possible that subjects will be placed in trauma that would never happen to them in real life. Even when the simulation ends, and is explained as a falsehood, that shock is not guaranteed to go away. It can also lead to complications both inside and outside the environment – that is, an individuals ability to disbelieve. Prolonged exposure on alpha subjects has led to a couple cases where the subject beings questioning their own existence, whats a simulation, and whats not. That is, the begin to accept the idea that ‘that was just a test simulation’ that they start questioning when they might roll out of their bed one morning only to ask themselves if they are in a simulation at that very moment. Those subjects have, of course, been pulled from the program and are undergoing extensive therapy.
Which leads me to my own statement. As required, I’m forwarding this to my database here so any and all interested can see. However, I am not required to allow access or seek any research on these files. And I plan on doing neither. Until this technology can prove itself beneficial without risk of harm, I will be keeping it sealed in my personal file until it is updated thus. If you do wish for more information, however, I will be happy to forward to the proper representatives.
-Crono Arinborn
March 28th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
Crono,
I do not recall it being a requirement that we offer our own personal values and perspectives of other researchers projects when they are given a forward announcement order. I especially do not recall this when it deters possible use and testing of the current system.
-Marcus Kline
March 28th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
I would apologize, Dr. Kline, but I do not recall a requirement being that I place my crew mates or friends through any unnecessary danger. Unfortunately, as a communications representative, this matter is outside of your jurisdiction. I will, of course, keep your thoughts in mind.
-Crono
March 29th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
What the HELL?