Item #: SCP-5000
Object Class: Keter
Special Containment Procedures: Hypothetical full, non-invasive containment of SCP-5000 would require potent reiolytic1 technology, which has not yet been adequately developed. Targeted amnestics are being developed — further information is classified to personnel with ENNUI-Class Clearance.
Cognition delays thoughtform erosion, but cannot reverse its effects. Artificial neural stimulation is being researched to further delay neurodegeneration, and potentially re-establish lost thoughts.
Fig 1.1: Dead thought (black) affecting the Noosphere, eroding adjacent thoughts (blue).
Description: SCP-5000 is the designation given to expanding zone of dead thought in the Noosphere.2
When affected by SCP-5000, thoughts are permenently degenerated, so that no human being will be capable of comprehending that thought from that point onwards. Rapid onset neurodegeneration occurs shortly in the human population after SCP-5000 affliction. Pan-anaplasticity of thought is projected to occur by January 2002, with major impact on cognition occurring well before this date.
Addendum A: Pilot Study
Longitudinal Intercranial Brain Enhancing Treatment (LIBET): A Case Study
Abstract: Preliminary investigation of SCP-5000 revealed that cognition, recollection, and contemplation of ideas adjecent to SCP-5000 yields some psychoprotective effect. We suggest that deep brain stimulation enhances this effect, and the installation of an electrode on the temporal lobe preserves neurone structure (Fig. 1.2).
Fig 1.2: Illustration of surgical implantation sites (red) for initial LIBET installation.
This device will stimulate any degenerating neurones, re-forging neural connections. Patient TA (Foundation Researcher, volunteer) was implanted with the device (Fig. 1.3) which yielded statistically significant (p < 0.05) recall to SCP-5000 affected thoughts compared to control.
Fig 1.3: Lateral skull x-ray post-operation.
The LIBET device will adapt to the host's progression of the disease. This means the device will be able to stimulate neurones deeper than the temporal lobe, if necessary.
To determine efficacy, the LIBET device records currently active ideas in working memory and transmits these data to a server log daily.
Addendum B: LIBET Device Logs
User: Ayers, T.
Date: 1994/10/11
[Visual Cortex: Light. Blinding. Hospital bed. Gown.]
[Cerebellum: The room is spinning. It is getting better. Pain.]
INTERNAL MONOLOGUE: God, my head hurts. I need an aspirin. How long was I under? Looks about sunset outside, must have been a couple hours. Jesus, I need to call a nurse. There should be a button, or a chord, or something. Oh, here it is. Good stuff, shouldn't be long.
"Procedure went smoothly?" That's good. I can relax a bit now. I was a little worried. Oh, they think some parts of my brain might have been hurt by the procedure - got to check all the wires. Legs? Check. Arms? Check. Memory? Oh, she's handing me a photo.
[Limbic System: Searing pain. Love. Heartache.]
[Hippocampus: Nostalgia.]
"Do I know who they are?" What a silly question. It's a picture of me, my baby, Rose (I think she was about 6?), and Diana. It's old. It was taken in the summer of '85, during our hike. It rained like hell on the way back, and little Rose didn't have a coat. She didn't complain once, soaked to the bone. My brave girl. Can I keep this picture? It means a lot to me. I'll pin it up in the lab.
User: Ayers, T.
Date: 1997/12/06 (6 months later)
INTERNAL MONOLOGUE: Tracy messed up. This stain is inconclusive. I'll ask her to…
I'll ask her to{STIMULATION: TEMPORAL LOBE}
I'll ask her to re-do them. That's it. That's the word.
That's it.
Re-do.
[Visual Cortex: Picture. Soft lighting.]
[Limbic System: Longing.]
I'll be home soon girls. I'll make it right.
Re-do.
User: Ayers, T.
Date: 1999/03/12
INTERNAL MONOLOGUE: Oh, I think I took a wrong turn. I don't know where I am. It's a lab, there's a lady she
she is
I know. I do know. Where was she
{STIMULATION: TEMPORAL LOBE}
"Diana?"
"Diana, I don't know — I don't know where I am. Everything is—
"Diana?"
[Limbic System: Love. Heartache. Betrayal. Panic.]
What do you mean, "Tracy"? Diana, don't be like that. That's not fair. You can't pretend, I
I know. I know. I know. I know. It's{STIMULATION: PRE-FRONTAL CORTEX}
Stop it! That's not fair, Diana, you can't go again. I have to make it right! You can't. You're upsetting me, please stop it
please
you can't
don't go
im lost
User: Ayers, T.
Date: 2001/04/03
{STIMULATION: LIMBIC SYSTEM}
Mom?
{STIMULATION: PRE-FRONTAL CORTEX}
Mom?
Hug
{STIMULATION: AMYGDALA}
Safe.
Safe now.
{STIMULATION: PRE-FRONTAL CORTEX}
You fade, Mom. Fog.
I fade too.
I'll be there soon.
User: Ayers, T.
Date: 2001/04/04
[Limbic System: Cold.]
[Visual Cortex: Grey.]
{STIMULATION: HIPPOCAMPUS}
Alone
[Auditory Cortex: Hum.]
{STIMULATION: LIMBIC SYSTEM}
Scared
{STIMULATION: BRAIN STEM}