The Suit-Up Protocol
Riot: If you’re living in a world that’s set to “Max Volume” and “Maximum Brightness,” you can’t just walk out there in your pajamas and expect to be okay. That’s a worst-case Ontario. You need Armor.
Sensory overload is what happens when the environment tries to force too much data into your system. It’s a hardware overflow. You don’t “get used to it.” You don’t “toughen up.” You suit up.
1. The Tactical Sensory Audit
Riot: Most people just feel “bad” or “stressed” without knowing why. That’s low-resolution living. You need to perform a Tactical Audit of your environment. Stop looking at the mood; look at the data.
- The Light Audit: Are there fluorescents flickering? Is the sun hitting a window at an angle that’s literally stabbing your eyes? If you’re squinting, you’re losing energy.
- The Audio Audit: Can you hear the fridge? The traffic? The sound of your own breathing? If the background noise has become the foreground, your buffers are full.
- The Textile Audit: Is your shirt collar rubbing against your neck like a saw blade? Are your socks too tight? If your skin is “loud,” you’re in the red.
2. Building Your Armor Kit
Riot: Don’t wait for the spin to start. You need your kit ready at all times. This is your High-Fidelity Survival Pack.
- The Sound Killers: High-fidelity earplugs (like Loop or Eargasm) for when you still need to hear people, and noise-canceling headphones (Bose/Sony) for when the world needs to go on mute.
- The Light Filters: Dark shades. Not “fashion” shades—shades that actually kill the glare. Wear them inside. If people stare, that’s their problem. You’re the Alchemist; you transmute their judgment into armor.
- The Sensory Grounding: Carry something small and heavy. A smooth stone. A piece of cold metal. Use it to ground your system when the visual noise gets too high.
3. The Extraction Strategy
Riot: You need an exit plan for every room you enter. This isn’t paranoia; it’s Navigation Intelligence.
- Locate the Quiet Zone: Every office, mall, or restaurant has a dead spot. Find it.
- The Non-Apologetic Exit: “I need to step out.” That’s it. You don’t need to explain that the lights are making your brain itch. Just leave.
4. Suit Up or Burn Out
Riot: If you don’t wear your armor, you’re just pre-ordering burnout. It’s not rocket appliances. Protect your hardware so you can keep playing the game.
Stay active, stay tactical, and don’t let the simulation win.
Armor Data:
- Headphone Effectiveness: 85% noise reduction.
- Shades Effectiveness: 40% energy preservation.
- Audit Requirement: Once per hour in high-noise zones.