opnet [OpNet] Developing a new ability.

[Wakinyan]

I need the advice of my peers and elders again it seems.

I have never attempted to develop a power by conscious direction and have been pondering/attempting doing so. So far the results have not been pleasant. The first attempt resulting in some backlash of a painful kind.

I need to know some of the methods that have helped you in the past. How did you work on the new ability? I do not mind how crazy it is or how logical, I just want some ideas. I am not going to try again until I have a better method.

[kestrel404]

Once, early on, I realized a logical extension of my abilities, and consciously worked towards it. I concentrated on trying to do something new, and tried my hardest, pushing myself repeatedly like they tell you to at the Rashoud facilities.

It didn't work out too well. I got nowhere. It's not the way I think or learn. Instead, I tried it in my own fashion, on my own time. I extended outward my own abilities from what I already knew how to do. I focused on the things I was already capable of, and used that as a starting point to push myself, just a little bit at a time (and some things, while they may seem little to a casual inspection, are actually huge leaps or many-stepped processes, so be careful in what you considder 'a little at a time').

It takes time and effort. In my case, it takes conscious awareness and deep understanding. In your case, it is most likely a matter of re-training instincts (this may be wrong, as I'm guessing based on your previous explanations of how you use your abilities).

For me, I always learn the most working at the most fundamental level I can touch. For most of my abilities, that is the level of a single molecule or individual atom. For others, the single cell, or the individual photon. I am bound by precision and comprehension, though I am fortunate to have both in great quantities. I suggest a similar starting point for you, focusing on the very simple, the very small, the faintest detail, and working from there.

[Lemmy Chillmeister]

Get yourself a teacher. One that has some experience in helping others along the path. Teaching, especially with nodecraft, well it's a gift. Some got it and some don't.

I read some of Prodigy's little "We can do anything" rants early on and it was meaningless. Dude wasn't talking to me, he was talking above me and didn't care. Jager's "go slow and careful" stuff also didn't do dick for me. Once I hooked up with Slat though, she looked me over, ran through me and figured out what Bad Boy Blue needed to dance the vertical hop.

Good luck Wingman, just wanting to do and looking to do is the first step.

[Neil Preston]

Wakinyan, what are you trying to learn? I will help if I can. PM me if you think I can help.

[Singularity]

Time and patience is what it always takes, Wakinyan. But the problem is forcing the development won't make it come any faster and it sounds like you experienced some of the downsides to it.

It's a catch 22, really: if you want to learn something you have to push yourself but if you push yourself you'll just entrench yourself further in your current paradigm. If there was an easy answer then I'm sure someone would already be rich because of it.

[Wakinyan]

Insightful Alchemist, putting not just into perspective but my perspective seems like a very good idea. I never bothered to do that I just tried to make it happen by nothing else than force. Maybe that is why it hurt so much.

I would almost be tempted to ask Slattern for help Lemmy except I do not want her to feel that the only time I want her around is for me to advance myself or for my own selfish reasons. (Though I seem to be pretty selfish at times)

Neil you are one of my best friends but I am not ready to share on a public forum what I am working toward yet. Whenever you are not so busy give me a call okay?

Singularity, Wise words I would expect from a wise friend but this time I have to do this. It is my will to press forward but I will do so with a more careful step.

Do any of you think that a telepath could possibly help cheat? Meaning that if they formed a connection with me and someone who say already had the power I could see it in action and maybe figure it out easier?

[Wakinyan]

Quote:

Originally posted by Lemmy Chillmeister:
I read some of Prodigy's little "We can do anything" rants early on and it was meaningless.

Speaking of that fellow whatever happen to him? After helping me get started and providing me with some decore on my staff I haven't heard from him here in forever. Anyone know?

[Vixen]

Well, if we're talking about developing new nova abilities, then you could say we're talking about a form of microevolution within one person's own lifetime. It's not quite the same - unless there's some kind of evolutionary pressure for why you need that new superpower - but it's similar. You could also interpret it as just learning a new thing to do with what you've already got (i.e. your node.)

Either way - neither new knowledge nor new branches of evolution come out of thin air. (Typically, anyway) They grow out of the traits you already have. You learn basic math before algebra and algebra before surreal numbers. You learn to walk before you dance. If you're serious about developing a new power I'd recommend building on one you've got, bit by bit. Take an old ability of yours and try using it in a new way.

In my own experience, this has taught me how to turn intangible, how to turn invisible, how to exert a limited (very limited) ability to control fire and lightning rather than just generating them, how to form a highly specific form of telepathic link, and right now I'm working with the idea of using my telepathy on myself and on other people to sort of 'mimic' things they can do. Currently all I can do with this is pick up muscle-memory skills like how to dance (which is the only way you will ever catch me on the dance floor...)

[Troy]

The smell of evolution in the morning. Great stuff if you don't step in it.

The head nerd at Hopkins has a theory. Zhang? Zang? Some egghead. She thinks novas erupts with all they're ever going to have. Their bodies optimize for that then they shut it down all but a little of it and forget about it. When they need it later they remember it. It does explain why some novas are nuts from the day they erupt. The other thing is she's got a book coming out to explain it all. Big surprise there. Bet its a real page turner.

[Neil Preston]

Head nerd? Sigh ...

Troy, if you mean John Hopkins, it sounds like someone at my old alma mater is re-examining the Centipede Theory. A good number of researchers have been working on just were that knowledge goes (if it exists) and what stresses allow us to access it. After all, with the number of dead novas, we all don't access what we need successfully.

[Singularity]

That sounds closer to Plato's theory on learning (as opposed to development), that everyone already possessed every last bit of knowledge to the universe, making the process of learning actually the process of just remembering how to do something.

Granted, that theory doesn't apply too well to baselines but it could serve as an interesting way to reconcile how some novas just "know" things instinctively. Things like complex astrophysics or how to build a nuclear reactor out of a pair of coconuts.

[Wakinyan]

My first attempt was actually trying to branch from a current ability Vixen. I am glad that I seem to be on the right track. If that is the how I should try to cultivate the ability. All I know is when I fucked up it felt like my whole entire body had been charlie horsed. One reason why I don't want to rush it next time.

As far as having everything in me I will ever have I am not so sure about that, but then again. It might actually make sense given my past.

[Troy]

Quote:

Originally posted by Singularity:
Things like complex astrophysics or how to build a nuclear reactor out of a pair of coconuts.

I saw that episode. Gilligan's Island. The Professor.

Never could fix the boat though.

[Troy]

Quote:

Originally posted by Neil Preston:
Head nerd?

Yeah. Head nerd. Ubergeek. Emperor Wiz. Brainiac Supreme. Mega Boffin. Doctor Geekenstein. Anorak Joyboy. Commodore Freakengeek. The greatly and powerful Ozgeek. Wearer of gling gling. Captain Cosmic and his/her all charged ganglia crew.

[Lemmy Chillmeister]

Quote:

Originally posted by Wakinyan:
Speaking of that fellow whatever happen to him? After helping me get started and providing me with some decore on my staff I haven't heard from him here in forever. Anyone know?

Fuck if I know. Not my crowd.

[Slattern]

Quote:

Originally posted by Wakinyan:


I would almost be tempted to ask Slattern for help Lemmy except I do not want her to feel that the only time I want her around is for me to advance myself or for my own selfish reasons. (Though I seem to be pretty selfish at times)

Well Fucktoy, you don't need to worry about me feeling poorly about you. If you want to learn that's already quite the plus in your favor. And I've heard...stories.

[Slattern]

Quote:

Originally posted by Troy:

Quote:

Originally posted by Singularity:
Things like complex astrophysics or how to build a nuclear reactor out of a pair of coconuts.

I saw that episode. Gilligan's Island. The Professor.

Never could fix the boat though.

That always annoyed me.

[Troy]

Quote:

Originally posted by Slattern:
That always annoyed me.

Its a great analogy for ubergeek novas . Puts things in perspective. Nothing as funny as the smartest person in the world walking around with his fly down or toilet paper hanging out of her skirt. Nobody screws up as badly as people that are suppose to be really smart.

Superior intellect. Yeah right.