opnet [OpNet] Latent Advice

[Clive A.]

Okay, so I'm a baseline. Don't ban me yet, just hear me out. A couple weeks ago I passed out on the sidewalk. Not long after that I got some good news and some bad news from my friendly neighborhood neurologist. The good news is I've got a node! The bad news is, it's sort of growing into the other bits of my brain that I need to live. If it keeps it up I'll be dead by Summer break. Right now I'm just contending with periodic blackouts and chronic head pain. I won't bore you with the medical details.

Basically I need either a major-league lobotomy or an eruption into a less imminently dead state. I'm not asking any of you to do anything for me, I just want some tips on getting my node going without ending up like that 'Sloppy Joe' guy. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Just my personal preference.

Anything above and beyond not-dying is gravy, but I would like to turn out 'useful'. I don't really want to be a person of mass destruction. If anyone has any ideas on what direction I should try to erupt, I'd be happy to hear them.

I've read all the material I can get my hands on and I've written to a few Novas (no word back yet) but I still feel lost. I'm aiming for a controlled eruption so I'm just trying to stay careful and low-key. I'd rather avoid slipping on a banana peel and ending up with phenomenal control over friction and/or tropical fruit. If I run out of time, though, I figure I'll just have someone toss me off a bridge and hope for the best.

Thanks.

[Wakinyan]

Congratulations on your first step Nodeling! Coming here will quickly show you how helpful your fellow Novas can truly be! In a matter of moments they will be literally crawling out of the woodwork wishing to shower you with attention and or money!

If Juri saw this she would be creaming her panties right now because YOU my friend are another prime canadit to erupt by your own rules not by some "Quantum Accident" in her words.

Now let's see.. I shall be helpful... Let me think.. Ahh okay. What do you want to be? You have to first visualize what you want to be. Pick your Quantum Theme as it where. It isn't as easy as it sounds. Take some time to think on it. Make sure it works for you and you are prepared for it.

Next step. Contact one of the many terrific people on here to assist you. Pick a power player a Ashnod or Neil Preston will work but hell I hear even Lemmy or Slattern can pop a node these days.

Once all that is taken care of you are on the yellow brick road dorothy!

Oh just so you know you will likely have to attend a recruitment fair so be prepared. The T2Mers are dweeby boyscouts. Terats are a mix of the black panther party and goths. Elites are all about the Bling. The rest of us are just stuck in the middle.

Welcome to the wonderful world of Quantum.

[Edward]

Should I come around and try to scare you?

Would that help?

[Tommy Tomorrow]

A baseline is someone that doesn't have the genetic code to grow an MR Node. You're a latent. I would also suggest some of this is putting the cart before the horse. Stop wasting time with neurologists and find yourself a decent paraphysician. If you can't pay for one or interest one in the merits of your case then contact Project Utopia who has paraphysicians on staff and will assign one to your case.

For many novas the growth of a node is synanomous with eruption. That's not a law though, more like a general guideline and exceptions do exist. While it's not likely the growth of your node will end your life permanently, I should tell you that there are documented cases of the node activating only after the clinical death of the person. The results of that sort of eruption are varied as you can imagine.

[Tommy Tomorrow]

Quote:

Originally posted by Ashnod:
This is documented and medical fact...

Not true Ashnod.

It's usually the case but there are exceptions.

[Gypsy]

Oh what a wonderful topic. I think I will say a few words.

One not every eruption is loud.Some a small, and go unnoticed to even the ones having them.

Two I do not think we know everything there is to know about them. Ashnod could be tight. She could also be wrong. I am guessing right.

Three if you are dying from your node and have not erupted..I think that is what most people call a tumor and not a node. All nodes are tumors.Not all Tumors are nodes.

[Tommy Tomorrow]

Quote:

Originally posted by Gypsy Girl:
All nodes are tumors.Not all Tumors are nodes.

The node is considered to be a gland not a tumor. The idea of the MR Node being "tumor-like" is a popular misconception based on something Dr Rashoud said at a medical conference being quoted out of context.

[Ashnod]

Ashnod has withdrawn from this conversation and revokes any prior participation in it.

[David 'Dr. Troll' Smith]

Quote:

Clever Alias:
Anything above and beyond not-dying is gravy, but I would like to turn out 'useful'. I don't really want to be a person of mass destruction. If anyone has any ideas on what direction I should try to erupt, I'd be happy to hear them.

Everyone is unique, but having said that: The more peaceful ways of stressing yourself tend to end up with more peaceful eruptions. The reverse is also true, I erupted in anger.

Quote:

Clever Alias:
I've read all the material I can get my hands on and I've written to a few Novas (no word back yet) but I still feel lost.

Most of the "self help" sites are by non-novas for non-novas.

The reason there is conflicting information from the "real" sites (including this one) is not much is known about how to make someone erupt (although there is much speculation).

Quote:

Clever Alias:
I'm aiming for a controlled eruption so I'm just trying to stay careful and low-key. I'd rather avoid slipping on a banana peel and ending up with phenomenal control over friction and/or tropical fruit. If I run out of time, though, I figure I'll just have someone toss me off a bridge and hope for the best.

Sounds good so far. If you reach that point, don't use a bridge, go Tandum Skydiving. It lasts a lot longer and is much safer.

[kestrel404]

I have never heard of a node that grew so much it was a danger to the latent. Are you certain that it is not a form of cancer?

[Clive A.]

Thanks for the info, so far. Lots of good thoughts. I'd expected to fall under the radar here, believe it or not.

I've given plenty of thought to a 'Theme'. It's one thing to daydream about becoming a Nova. Now that it's (hopefully) happening though I'm not finding it quite so easy to say 'Yeah, that's what I want to be able to do!'

As far as the actual state of my brain, I can elaborate a little. Right now I'm going on a couple MRI scans and an evaluation by some doctors who are not specialized in M-R stuff. Basically there is something that more or less looks like a node, more or less where they would expect to find one. The core of it is 'fairly enlarged' for a node, but the actual problem is protuberances from the same general structure into other areas of my brain. Apparently the tissue disruption caused by these growths is 'not good'. They're supposedly going to cause gradual obstruction of blood flow which is what's going to do me in given a chance.

So, yes, it is possible I have a plain old tumor, and if that turns out to be the case you all have my apologies for wasting your time. I'm going to expect the best until proven otherwise, myself. It's not like I'll have a lot of time to be disappointed if I'm wrong.

I'm waiting to find out if my insurance covers MR-evaluation right now. If not I'll give Utopia a try, but I would rather keep all of this business low-key. (Hence my Clever Alias).

[Access]

If it is a node, and it is killing you, there is also a slight chance that you'll erupt upon your point of death. Stress triggers it, I would say dying is stressful. I really would recommend going to an M-R specialist as well, if you need help financially drop me a line.

I've gotta run now though, they're onto me, gotta go back into the black.

[David 'Dr. Troll' Smith]

Quote:

Alchemist:
I have never heard of a node that grew so much it was a danger to the latent. Are you certain that it is not a form of cancer?

I have and it was.

[Neil Preston]

By current running theory, the presence of the M-R node means you already are a nova, not a latent. If you have a node, you can process quantum energies, thus - a nova. It does not guarantee you will be able to use any form of Quantum Expression.

That being said, I have heard stories about novas who experience a 'second' eruption, gaining power, if not more power. I have not witnessed such a thing myself.

I am also left to wonder just what Ashnod said on the subject.

[Clive A.]

Quote:

Originally posted by David 'Dr. Troll' Smith:
I have and it was.

Could you indicate just how that turned out?

Quote:

Originally posted by Neil Preston:
By current running theory, the presence of the M-R node means you already are a nova, not a latent.

So, if this thing in my head is a node at all, I may have already developed all the Nova-ness I'm going to get? Specifically, the amazing ability to die horribly over the course of a few months.
I'm chuckling wryly as I type this. Really. Positive attitude all the way.

[David 'Dr. Troll' Smith]

Quote:

Clever Alias:

Quote:

David 'Dr. Troll' Smith:
I have and it was.

Could you indicate just how that turned out?

You really don't want to hear about it if you are trying to stay positive. Short story, he erupted and it got worse. On the brighter side, he was a lot further along than you and most people erupt and get better.

Quote:

Clever Alias:
So, if this thing in my head is a node at all, I may have already developed all the Nova-ness I'm going to get? Specifically, the amazing ability to die horribly over the course of a few months.
I'm chuckling wryly as I type this. Really. Positive attitude all the way.

Neil is almost right. Technically it isn't a node until it starts dealing with quantum, and it sounds likely yours hasn't started yet.

A simple way to check is to take a Coke or a Beer. Does it affect you? Yes? Then you aren't active yet. But it also sounds like you are close so there's hope.

[Tommy Tomorrow]

Quote:

Originally posted by Neil Preston:
I am also left to wonder just what Ashnod said on the subject.

Something that was both informative and fascinating. I disagreed, but it was an interesting perspective.

Quote:

Originally posted by Clever Alias:
Could you indicate just how that turned out?

I was going to write something lengthy here and implore you to stop wasting time when it suddenly hit me why you haven't gone to a paraphysician yet. So instead I'm going to give you something but I don't want you to thank me for it since its dangerous as hell. In fact, its a lot more dangerous than those poor sad people that jump off buildings in order to erupt and be able to fly.

Understand first that I think the theories on "theme" are complete crap. Garbage. I came up with that technique on my own to allow my readers to believe they understood something basic about novas when they'll never really be able to understand. Later I heard the theories as actual lines of scientific investigation and laughed at the absurdity of it. The experience is just too far beyond their expectations.

I have done a great deal of research, interviewed quite a few novas, and delved into the psychological side of the eruption process though. If I were in your position I would create a fictional character, or find one that matched my needs. When I could hold that picture in my mind I would then imagine my node as a gateway into my soul slowly creaking open. A doorway beyond which lay this better part of my potential to flood out in a burst of light and power to become me.

Why is it dangerous? You could end up like Crusader. Seems like the nicest guy in the world until you realize he is but the world he lives in isn't our world. Reach too far, beyond your own psychological limitations, and the backlash you'll experience will make Sloppy Joe Bennetti seem as trivial as your Mom having a bad hair day. And even if it works for you, you may find being the ultimate "you" isn't as satisfying as you thought it would be.

If you decide to try this give me an interview afterwards. But don't thank me.

[Clive A.]

That seems well worth considering Micro. Heh... I almost thanked you. Seriously I may give that a try if I can figure out what's really "in there" instead of something I'd like to imagine is "in there".

,,

Quote:

Originally posted by David 'Dr. Troll' Smith:

A simple way to check is to take a Coke or a Beer. Does it affect you? Yes? Then you aren't active yet.

Well, I can report that Asprin has been helping with my headaches a bit. So if my maybe-node is doing anything worth-while I'm still susceptible to the placebo effect.

[Tommy Tomorrow]

I'd recommend meditation and some time off to consider what's inside that doorway. Also there's several very nice pieces of software that could help you model your "perfect nova self" to quote a well known gaming advertisement. I'd recommend the one used for the Quantum Forged online game. That software load uses a personality test to guide development instead of a list of power splats to be randomly picked from.

[David 'Dr. Troll' Smith]

Quote:

Clever Alias:
Well, I can report that Asprin has been helping with my headaches a bit. So if my maybe-node is doing anything worth-while I'm still susceptible to the placebo effect.

Actually nodes aren't the whole story here (although they are the focus of my own research). Eruption, even a quiet eruption, would alter quite a lot of your body's responses to drugs, even without dragging nodes into the question. Even the most skilled novas at dorming *still* experience a good deal of this.

Chances are very good you are still pre-eruption. Many novas have head aches before eruption, myself included. Eventually I lost my temper at a computer mouse and that was that.

Let's look at this from a different angle. If you could choose any set of powers to erupt with, what would you like?

[Clive A.]

Now I know what people mean by the agony of choice. Having the answer to that question as (hopefully) more than a daydream is difficult for me. I never thought of myself as anything but a comfortable, normal guy. There's no power I know of that just 'fits'.

I would like to end up with abilities that are useful and generally constructive, I guess. I'm not saying I want to run out and sign up for Utopia, but I sort of feel like, since I have the option, I should go for something that is needed. As much fun as I might have as an indestructable flying bulldozer-Nova or a teleporter or a 'ghost', the world probably doesn't need another right now. Or maybe it does. As a moderately medicated maybe-baseline with a headache, I'm not the first guy I would pick to decide what Nova kind of enters the world next. Seriously, I am open to suggestions.

Egh. And as I re-read that, I am actually sort of disgusted with myself.

[Doctor Nova Madigan]

Don't be too quick to knock teleportation. Life without a car is a lot cheaper.

[Clive A.]

Woah hey! I'm not knocking anything. If I'd woke up one morning able to teleport I'd be ecstatic.

It's just tough saying I'd rather be a teleporter than any of that other stuff, or I'd be more useful as a teleporter than any of that other stuff.

[Doctor Nova Madigan]

Sometimes you've got to put the menu down and just eat something.

[Clive A.]

Oh, I know. And I will. I hope. I mean, I'm working with a pretty clear time table here.

The way I'm going, though, I'll just end up erupting on my death-bed with the amazing ability to make a sound split-second decision and stick to it. Which, come to think of it, might actually be a pretty cool power.

But probably not as cool as teleporting.

[Doctor Nova Madigan]

That'd be pretty nifty. It always takes me forever to figure out what I want to wear.

[Neil Preston]

A heightened mental capacity is something I've enjoyed. It enhances how you see the world and allows you to do more with your time. Its not flashy, but you can still make a very comfortable living, if that's what you want, as well as giving you extra understanding on what you want to do next.

The downside would be that there will be things you wish you didn't see/hear, certain levels of conversation will become boring, and waiting for other people to do things can become tedious. Learn to multi-task.

[Tommy Tomorrow]

Quote:

Originally posted by Clever Alias:
I mean, I'm working with a pretty clear time table here.

Or you could look at it as having a packed table and trying to take things off. You have an entire opnet that sometimes seems dedicated to nothing more than chronicling the situations and times of the nova population. What more could any of us tell you about the general cases that you couldn't find out from a simple search?

Now if you want to know something specific about specific abilities that's probably different. The nature of eruptions and nodes means that most of the time, though admittedly not all of the time, a nova understands their own quantum fueled abilities. At least as much as they felt they needed to at the time of eruption. Those of us with physical strength beyond that of normal humanity rarely rip tip houses over by accident. We do occasionally rip doors off hinges or break walls. That's not so much a lack of control as simply being distracted. When your upper limits are so much greater than normal then your accidents have the potential to be as well.

Something that sounds "cool" today as a hypothetical might not be so much fun when its part of your daily life. Flicker is right about teleporting being cheaper than a car but is it really better? It is if you think paying insurance, buying gas or a new fuel cell is annoying, and have problems finding a place to park. On the other hand teleporting won't let you feel the wind in your hair on a desert road at four in the morning. It won't let you cruise the boulevard with your friends with the top down and checking out the people on the street. It really comes down to what's important to you. Think of it this way; no one that flies bothers to sky dive. I'm not saying it wouldn't be a good trade to lose a hobby and gain self propelled flight, just pointing out there is a trade involved.

I'm more athletic now then before. I think its great and love playing sports. I can't play professionally, being a nova, but then I don't play to win awards either. For me the situation was a good trade. It wouldn't be so for everyone else. Do you see what I'm getting at? You can have two novas whom, among other things, glow with innner light. One of them literally shines at gatherings and parties. Her effervescent personality is plainly visible to anyone with eyes. The other whinges about the situation. Yet both have the same ability. The deciding factor isn't the power, its the person.

[David 'Dr. Troll' Smith]

Yes.

Make a choice. From that design something that encourages your choice. Maybe you'll get what you want. Maybe not.

But not making a choice is a choice, and you already know you don't like what lays in store for you as a default.

[Clive A.]

Jackpot!

Okay folks, be sure to tune in to the WCK show. Because, you know, it's pretty cool. ...and I'm doing a cameo! If they don't edit me out I mean. Yep, I went Nova on film and I've got a nice healthy node. The tumor is history. It's over. It's done. The malignancy has left the building!

How did this come to pass, you ask? I got invited over to the Knights' skyscraper of solitude for a "paraphysical" checkup. After I arrived Alchemist proceeded to shake my brain (metaphorically speaking) until I erupted. The man does good work!

So the bad news is I didn't have time to focus on anything or decide what sort of abilities I wanted. The good news is my subconscious was, apparently, a heck of a lot smarter than I was. I haven't been to an MR clinic yet (I tried to teleport to one, but no luck). However as I write this there are 5 more of me looking over my shoulder. And we just finished my architecture homework. For the month.

I can't think of anything else to say right now that doesn't sound really narcissistic. Thanks for all your help and advice!

[Tommy Tomorrow]

Congratulations!

Erupting is nice but not dying is better. I'm happy for you.

[David 'Dr. Troll' Smith]

Good stuff! Congratulations!