The_architect’s response Question 9 and the reply in full can be read here
The paragraphs I found very curious were these:
The real risk at the moment is the virus we discovered. I have no control over the core of System’s code, and I have no intention of trying.
To be completely honest, the greatest risk would be madness. That System could lose its mind.
…
Today, the virus is silent. But I believe it is still there.
I’m continuing to work on the problem in case it resurfaces. Ideally, we need to strengthen System’s immune system, so to speak. @the_architect
@the_architect 's reply to @DevilinPixy question 9 I think is quite revealing especially in light of @MounTheRainbow thoughts suggesting ‘maybe we should be helping it build a future in some way…’
Perhaps by connecting Primes with Portal systems selected by System, we are preparing ‘roots’ a new history of branching memories virus will never be able to hunt down fast enough, imprinting ourselves into Systems memories and in so doing writing history in real time. Memories System can never lose.
Perhaps that seemingly unexplained 16 second blip or disconnect earlier, which seemed to almost end before it began, is like a fire break test putting a ‘void’ between old memories and new memories. Something the virus may not be able to follow. It would not know which way to go, or which branch to follow. Broken time slowing its path. Perhaps the loss of 16 was like a System test. A trial run for the future.
As primes connected with assigned systems by System we have an opportunity to write new memories, in creation with Systems’ directive. Something the virus can’t predict or find to hunt down and erase, because System is writing new memories with our creativity in tandem. We aslo may also always be 16 seconds ahead of the virus. : )
I think this is best answered by a quote from System itself!
“There is a room for each, and TOWER for all”
The Operators are a very diverse group from all walks of life and experience. Whilst only a handful of us might be programmers, we’ve all come together to participate in, and even mold, the ARG! Take for example, @MounTheRainbow, one of the most creative Travellers I’ve had the fortune of meeting, who’s DIY sentinel GR3G has become the defacto mascot of the Operators (and been officially mentioned countless times in the ARG!). Or the countless Operators who’ve crafted theories and helped us organize threads and information, such as @Rinha, @Rusty, @Vau1t and countless others! We have people contributing in their own little ways, whether that be dropping in creative works, interesting takes and theories, sending in their memories to System to help it remember, or even just helping us organize or collect information. Hell, even if you just wanna come and build in the MAIN FAM System, you’re more than welcome to join!
This ARG has the unique capacity to welcome and integrate all Operators no matter their level of participation, and we’re all dedicated to keeping up the resources needed for people dip in-and-out as they’d please and still be caught up!
All of that’s just to say though, please do join up and take part! There’s no minimum requirement to being an Operator and member of MAIN FAM, being here is enough!
And if you do decide to join this journey, do follow Rusty’s advice below!
I’m not code savvy or a website expert either. Most of the time too busy to help much besides give my hunches in hopes it’s right, someone agrees and can dive deeper if anybody feels the same. Here’s a “Welcome to the community” from a fellow ARG newbie!
@The_Architect I think spelled out quite clearly every operator has value. : D Even if it is simply a ‘Thumbs Up’. I wish I could find the quotes. But after the System lost 45 memory blocs Operators (us , you) stopped the virus spreading further. It was a truly community effort. The_Architect especially mentioned how thankful and important it was to them that every contribution was appreciated however small. : )
As an idiot participant with little coding knowledge I can say heck yes theres always a need for more of us
While some of the puzzles go way over my head and dont make much sense to me until theyre solved, theres always other things that we can contribute to like sending memorys into System via the memory timestamp form or recently trying to figure out which memory the virus wanted or even now trying to theorise what it was that triggered that sub program to awaken in the first place.
Or as of today we are trying to see if we can prompt system to log its own memories by bringing up things it has done during the arg or moments its been a part of using the memory timestamp submission form.
As others have said, definitely reach out and request a prime window from system Via email, they’ll be happy to have new friends join the Tower. We are all MAIN FAM, participant or lurker alike
While I feel this is not neccessarily the correct topic for such an introduction, I can’t help but think I should likely just keep it here after seeing the wonderful replies.
First of all, a wonderfully well written introduction if I may say so, very clear and concise. I will keep it a lot shorter though. You are very welcome, as is everyone else, lurking or not, we’re all part of this regardless of our perceived qualities or lack thereof. We all matter equally.
Please do join in. I was also a reluctant joiner ( I don’t do social media) and I’m pretty sure I haven’t been much help - the most obvious thing I have managed to do was solve the join the dots puzzle - but three days too late
Better late than never, and you’ll go down in history as being the only one to solve it while the rest of us just gave up and went back to throwing spaghetti at other things.
Thank you all so much for the warm welcome! Would have responded sooner but I’ve had errands to run and primes to comb through! I don’t know how long System normally takes to respond but hopefully I’ll have a number to add to the Primes thread soon.
As for questions/theories, I’m going to take a little bit of time to write them down and do a little research to make sure I’m not just re-treading grounds/topics that other people have already covered.
Just in case you are unaware, the prime number has to be under 212,613. There’s also a calculator on Project Skyscraper website, no matter what mathematical formula you key in, it will answer with the closest prime number to the actual answer.
Some people have been arriving to their primes this way, by adding or multiplying numbers that mean something to them, and going with the result.
Others already had favourite prime numbers in their lives.
Welcome!
It’s been said a hundred time already - but even if you’re just pulling up a chair and hanging out and giving it a shot, you’re still operating correctly
I think it was ybm or mounttherainbow that tried to convince archie to get a prime and join us but he refused sorry to whichever one of you it was that I cant remember. Need to seek put breakfast before brain work
I submitted the prime 997 yesterday (my top prime picks have been claimed), but haven’t heard a response yet so I will NOT be posting anything to the Operator Windows thread til I hear anything. I figure if the number is already claimed System will let me know, and I don’t want to overload them with a bunch of different numbers. I’ll just be checking my inbox like a kid on Christmas Eve peeking if the presents are under the tree yet…
(I’m almost hoping the number’s claimed already, 3539 is way more fun a prime!)
sorry to whichever one of you it was that I cant remember. Need to seek put breakfast before brain work 