Emotional Cascade

An Emotional Cascade (also known as an Empathetic Feedback Loop) is a psychological affliction unique to NooNet groups. Early attempts at building NooNets used direct mind-to-mind linking rather than using an AI bridge, but this resulted in Emotional Cascades. An Emotional Cascade occurs when a strong emotion felt by one node triggers empathetic emotional responses from the other members, which then passes on in a feedback loop until all nodes are experiencing the strongest possible form of a particular emotion.
Though rarely fatal directly, Emotional Cascades can lead to highly erratic and irrational behavior that can be particularly problematic for NooNets placed in charge of important systems or processes (including their own life support systems). Even in a best case scenario an Emotional Cascade can lead to severe and irreparable psychological and mental trauma that renders the affected NooNet and its members useless.
There were many different remedies attempted, ranging from mood stabilizing drugs to screening for emotionally dull candidates, to foregoing connections with parts of the brain known to control or affect emotional expression, such as the amygdala. None of these methods were completely effective and seemed only temporary measures. Even after excluding the entire limbic system from connections, emotional activity still managed to seep through. Eventually, the only effective method was determined to be using an AI buffer known as a "bridge". The AI bridge insulates against an Emotional Cascade by only allowing informational thought to pass through, since the AI cannot process emotional information in the way a human mind can. This isolates any emotional response to a single member of the NooNet, preventing the feedback loop that triggers an emotional cascade. NooNets are still made up of humans, who can suffer emotional or psychological issues, but this never affects the other members any more than it would other proximate humans.

Causes

Unfettered connection between two or more human minds in an attempt to build a NooNet.

Symptoms

Increasingly irrational and intense emotional response culminating in complete psychological breakdown. An Anger cascade can lead to catastrophic tantrums carried out across the network. A sadness cascade can lead to endless screaming and crying along with suicidal acts. A happiness cascade can lead to uncontrolled laughter and an inability to react to outside stimulus, or at the very least an utter inability to objectively and rationally process information.

Treatment

There is no known way to prevent an emotional cascade once it has began, apart from shutting down the NooNet, which comes with its own psychological and neurological risks. Psychological treatment after the fact is rarely successful, and no NooNet member who has suffered an emotional cascade has ever been able to return to a normal life or rejoin another network.

Affected Groups

An Emotional Cascade can only affect members of a NooNet and any software or wetware (Nodes for instance) that are connected to the afflicted NooNet

Prevention

The only effective prevention is to use an AI bridge between the NooNet members to prevent the transmission of emotional thoughts. This has become standard practice for all NooNets.

Type

Neurological