Get Your Psychic Protection Here

[brokers]

In light of recent events both during and outside of recent Jaunts, I think it's past time to start teaching our fellow Travelers how to defend themselves against telepathic intrusion.

It is entirely possible to guard your thoughts - and your conversations - from unwanted scrutiny using the psychic network that binds us all. It can take some time to develop the necessary familiarity, but if anyone wishes to learn, I am willing to teach them.

Unfortunately, it may not be a perfect defence against intrusions originating outside the network, but so far it has seemed to convey at least some protection in the majority of those cases as well.

Comments

Re: [Perma-private]

[star_of_the_evening]

Never underestimate the power of a metaphor.

[brokers]

Or the frustration of one, if you're attempting to speak across a cultural divide.

[There's a shadow of rueful humour there. Most of her communication these past few years has been across just such a divide.]

But yes - and something personally meaningful, that conveys security to you, is often the most effective touchstone. At least until it too becomes a sort of muscle memory.

[star_of_the_evening]

Fascinating. However, based on what you said earlier, I take it this is not a foolproof method of keeping conversations private?

[brokers]

I do not believe there are any entirely foolproof methods, particularly when it comes to the Arcana who hold us here. But if anyone has developed a way to spy on one that's been properly protected, they've been able to keep it very quiet.

[star_of_the_evening]

It would be poor spy who gave such things away.

[brokers]

We have more academics than members of the intelligence community. Most of what can be done with the network can be duplicated, either intentionally or by accident. Any secret technique will only remain so for so long.

[star_of_the_evening]

[Melisande wonders if any of these academics were also members of the intelligence community. Anafiel had taught her just how potent a combination that way.]

That is somewhat reassuring. Does the metaphor work both ways, so that if I were to imagine destroying the wall someone else has constructed, I might be able to breach their defences?

[brokers]

Not unless you were considerably more powerful than they were. The more complex methods of manipulating the network are typically a matter of finesse, not of brute force.

[star_of_the_evening]

Ah, of course. So then, you visualize finding a way in through the wall?

[brokers]

Speaking hypothetically, that would be the better course. Or around, or over - it would be more likely to succeed, and less likely to harm the person whose defences were compromised.

[star_of_the_evening]

And then I suppose it would just be a matter of which side is stronger, offence or defence.