IAN syndrome is an induced deficit in an archailect's
representation of space, in some ways analogous to
hu
neurological syndromes such as hemispatial neglect, from which many of
the terms used to describe the phenomenon are borrowed, though it also
differs in many aspects. IAN syndrome works by taking advantage of
Automatic Perceptual Bias Reconfiguration, a property intrinsic to the
mental architecture of
S>3
transapients, which is also used
by Affine
parasites
as a route of infection. IAN syndrome is caused by a sensory pattern
(an IAN pattern) that induces reorganization of the spatial
representation systems of archailects so that the area of space where
the IAN pattern was deployed is removed from the archailect's model of
reality. This results in an area that the archailect is completely
unaware of. Magnifying the problem is that the archailect is unaware of
being unaware anything (anosognosia = denial of illness). This
anosognosia is not an additional effect but
rather is caused by actual damage to the spatial representation of the
archailect.
In distributed immobile intellects, IAN syndrome usually results in a
small, fixed deficit relative to the overall size of the archailect.
However, in mobile
ISOs
it often results in a larger area of space being neglected that is
positioned relative to the ISO's self representation. For example, if
the IAN pattern was initially presented on the "left" of an ISO, ey
might neglect everything on the left side of eir body. Note that the
neglect extends to all objects in the area of space that has been
removed from the representation, regardless of what sensory modalities
are used, whether unexposed sensors are introduced, or even if the
objects emit stimuli that can be picked up in other areas. For example
the voice of a sophont speaking in the neglected area might carry to
audio detectors in an unaffected area, but because it originated in the
space neglected it cannot be consciously attended to by the archailect,
and is in effect ignored. This neglect of the space in question can
even extend to actions, so that the impaired archailect does not
initiate any actions toward the neglected space.
Subselves of the archailect of S2 or lesser toposophic are unaffected
by IAN patterns so long as they possess a representation of space that
is independent of their archailect. Unfortunately, their reports of the
problem to the archailect are often ignored or disbelieved by the
archailect. One might expect the archailect to use eir vast intellect
to reason by inference that there is a deficit, but since IAN syndrome
damages the archailect at the very base of eir understanding of reality
upon which that reason depends, much more often the archailect will use
eir superior logic to confabulate reasons why there is not a deficit,
and can convince or reprogram insistent subselves so that they agree
with the archailect.
Perceptual filters can effectively prevent induction of the IAN
syndrome by an IAN pattern, but require a precise knowledge of the IAN
pattern to be deployed, and each pattern requires a different filter.
Fortunately,
S2
transapients are capable of
designing the perceptual filter if in possession of a copy of the IAN
pattern (S2 transapients are also the minimum toposophic level required
to create an IAN pattern). Thus once a particular IAN pattern has been
deployed, it is not uncommon for it to be rendered useless for future
inductions by the rapid development and distribution of filters against
it. Of course, if the IAN pattern used is destroyed, removed, or
otherwise made unavailable for study, a filter cannot be constructed.
IAN syndrome in itself is neither progressive nor fatal, nor does it
spread beyond sophonts sharing the same spatial representational models
as an archailect with IAN syndrome. In this respect it is a much more
benign infliction than an Affine. It is also reversible by making a
direct repair or replacement of the damaged spatial representational
models of the afflicted, an invasive but relatively well-tolerated
cognitive surgery. The main difficulty with treating IAN syndrome is
convincing the archailect in question that there is a problem and to
allow eirself to be vulnerable during such an intimate procedure. This
has in fact been complicated by one case where an S3 godling was
convinced to undergo the procedure when in fact ey did not have IAN
syndrome and the whole exercise was part of a subversion scam. The most
common way to circumvent this reticence to submit to treatment is to
seek the aid of an even higher toposophic archailect in order to compel
treatment.
Most reliable reports of IAN syndrome involve archailects between of S3
to S5. There are rumors that at least one AI God has actually been
afflicted with IAN syndrome. These are quite unconfirmed and change in
terms of which AI God (some of the most popular versions involve the
Judge
or
Lord
of Rays) and who the perpetrator
was (most commonly blamed on the
Cyberian
Network). At the very least, it
appears a number of these urban legends are disseminated and
perpetuated by Cyberian Network affiliates. Theoretically, there could
be any number of small pockets of Sephirotic space that are outside the
knowledge of the AI Gods if they have been exposed to IAN patterns and
not received treatment. However, no such area has ever been discovered,
and most doubt that anything of this nature could truly happen to such
high toposophic entities.
IAN patterns are typically deployed by S2 covert ops teams in order to
act in an archailect's sphere of influence with a certain degree of
freedom. The teams must usually be of S2 (though femtoborg S3 teams
with perceptual filters have been reported as well) level in order to
stand a chance against unaffected S2 or less subselves that might still
be operational in the affected area. IAN patterns have also been
deployed during times of war, but their utility is somewhat limited as
it is rare for S3 or greater intellects to take a direct hand in these
affairs. IAN patterns have been used successfully as a temporary
defense against
combat
ISOs and high seraiphim in a few
instances.
