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[F2F Book Discussions] August 2015: Ubik by Philip K. Dick | Moderator: Angus

Week 1 (Jul 26 - Aug 1): Chapters 01 to 05
Week 1 Activity
Week 1 Psixercises
Week 1 Discussion Questions
Week 2 (Aug 2 - Aug 8): Chapters 06 to 08
Week 2 Activity
Week 2 Psixercises
Week 2 Discussion Questions
Week 3 (Aug 9 - Aug 15): Chapters 09 to 12
Week 3 Activity
Week 3 Psixercises
Week 3 Discussion Questions
Week 4 (Aug 16 - Aug 21): Chapters 13 to 17
Week 4 Activity
Week 4 Psixercises
Week 4 Discussion Questions
Weekly Rankings:
Week 1:
(view spoiler)
Week 2:
(view spoiler)
Week 3:
(view spoiler)
Week 4:
(view spoiler)
Final:
(view spoiler) ["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>

TFG's School of Psionics only accepts students with psionic powers. To be part of this elite school for the talented, enrol now by answering the following:
Code Name:
Psi Talent:
Weapon:
ESP Level: [Take the test here. You may take the test as many times as you want. Don't forget to take a screenshot of the result.]
To illustrate, I'll introduce myself:
Code Name: Mirage
(view spoiler)
Psi Talent: Creates illusions by absorbing, storing, and converting lunar light to psionic energy. Illusions can affect up to a hundred people within a one kilometer radius. More people and greater distance require more energy. Powers are strongest during a full moon. Your participation in the discussion and the activities means that my powers are in effect. ;)
(view spoiler)
Weapon: A shuriken-claw hybrid that sparkles with lunar dust, which has soporific effects. It looks something like the one below, only sparklier and shinier!
(view spoiler)
ESP Level:
(view spoiler)
Notes:
-Your psionic talent and weapon must be unique.
-If others have already posted similar powers and weapons, you will no longer be able to use those.
-Your psionic talent must have a source and a limitation.
-Please visit this page, this page, and this page for more info.
-Your ESP level will be the points that you'll earn.
-You also earn 2 points each for your code name, talent, and weapon.
-You earn 2 extra points for a detailed explanation of your psionic talent.
-And 2 extra points if you provide a photo of your weapon.
-Deadline is on Saturday, August 1, 11:59 PM.
-If you fail to enrol, you will not be able to join any of the activities.
-I'll just ignore whatever you do then, heh.
-So you have to enrol first before participating in anything.
-Do not worry too much though, because tardiness and truancy will still be acceptable in the future.
-Every school needs at least one of their kind.
-I'm basically asking for a headcount of possible participants because I need to keep track of things while maintaining my sanity.
Edit: Earn 2 extra points for posting an image of
* * *
An ambush activity was done after the F2F43. The attendees were asked to list down as many science fiction novels as they can within ten minutes. For every title that they listed that is also present in this list, 1 point is earned. Those points will be added to this activity.
(Let me just say again that I chose that list only because the August book nominees are included in it. If you want to dispute the titles that didn't make it to the list, please contact their staff.)["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>

Code name: Enigma
Psi Talent:(view spoiler)
Weapon: (view spoiler)
ESP Level:(view spoiler) ["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>

Code Name: Sibyl
(view spoiler)
Psi Talent: Precognition, premonition, and precognitive dreams, or the ability to perceive events before they actually happen. Plus, precognition manipulation, or the ability to manipulate the precognitive powers of others. Can give them a vision, or a much clearer vision of the future, but can also prevent them from using their power by creating false visions. Extreme mental strength propels precognitive powers, and visions can be triggered by going into a dream-like trance. However, powers are limited only to present century and cannot work on those who have retrocognition, or power to see the past.
Weapon: The Sibylline Amulet, which can help create a psychic shield, making Sybil immune or highly resistant to any and all mental intrusion, including psychic or empathic powers, hypnosis, illusions, deception, etc. Mind readers and controllers will only hear static. Any attempt at mental or psionic intrusion will automatically activate the amulet and produce psychic shield, even in sleep.
(view spoiler)
ESP Level:
(view spoiler) ["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>

Code name: Reine
Psi talent: Power mimicry, Ability to copy or absorb another's powers or skills. Can mimic up to 4 talents/skills at a time, but cannot be used at the same time. Mimicry happens at will, chosen as soon as source is within 6 ft proximity, and lasts for a maximum of 3 hours. However, when the source(s) of power stays within the minimum proximity, the duration of mimicry lasts up until the connection is broken. Physical contact is not necessary, but source will lose the ability to use their powers once used.
Weapon: The Uenire, a ring that allows summoning of previously mimicked abilities without the need for proximity. It also allows use of up to 4 psi talents at the same time without affecting the source(s). The ring also becomes a blade when needed for combat, but when it is used for this purpose, it cannot be used for mimicry.
(view spoiler)
ESP Level:
(view spoiler) ["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>

Code Name: Shadowshift
Psi Talent: Using one's own psychic resources inherited from parents, I can teleport, materialize and dematerialize (aka apportation) myself and others (including objects) at will. However I cannot do these things across inter-dimensional distances. And I can only teleport to places I am currently seeing or has seen (and of this dimension). A photo might help but it will take her some time and a successful result isn't guaranteed.
(view spoiler)
Weapon: Five bladed throwing stars
(view spoiler)
ESP Level: Nine (view spoiler) ["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>

Code Name: Vesper (view spoiler)
Psi Talent: Psionic Blast which is produced by the hyperproduction of neurotransmitter epinephrine by my brain which I can transmit to another individual after establishing a psionic link. I can overload another's mind causing pain, short term memory loss or lack of consciousness. The link can only be established if target is within eyesight and will last for a minute.
Weapon: Aside from incapacitating using my mind, I wield a good ol' reverse-edge sword; which comes handy when the psionic link has been severed and for protection against opponents with mental assault shield
(view spoiler)
ESP Level: (view spoiler) ["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>

Psi Talent: Aura enhancing. Converts psi energy into aura which enhances offensive and defensive physical/psi abilities.
Weapon: Ball and chain
ESP Level: I'll take the test later.

Enigma, you're awarded 2 extra points for helping a classmate!

Code Name: X
(view spoiler)
Psi Talent: (view spoiler)
Weapon: (view spoiler)
ESP Level: (view spoiler) ["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>

Code Name: Ember
(view spoiler)
Psi Talent: Pyrokinesis - ability to control the kinetic energy of atoms to create and manipulate fire with the mind. Must be able to see the flames to control them though. Special skills include igniting enemies in searing pain, unleashing fire rains and conjuring flame barriers.
Weapon: The Pyre Staff - use of this staff creates larger flames and makes fire burn brighter and hotter.
(view spoiler)
ESP Level:
(view spoiler) ["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>

Psi Talent: Toxigenesis (Poison Generation)
(view spoiler)
Weapon: The main weapon is the Claw Gauntlet, with the tips dipped into her blood. The neurological poison acts swiftly once pierced by them.
(view spoiler)
ESP Level: (view spoiler) ["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>

Headmaster Mirage: Yaaay thank you for the extra points!

(view spoiler) ["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>

Week 1 activity
Codename: Babaylan
Psi Talent: Mediumship. I can serve as a vessel to talk with the spirits. A descendant of Alunsina, the God of the Wind in the Panay island, I use the wind to communicate with Nature. But with the advanced technology we have, yours truly can also use phones and other electronic devices to seek the needed information or to spread the news. Just like Siri.
(view spoiler)
Weapon: reversed-edged Kampilan, not used for attacking flesh, but to stop the spirits who tried to attack me. I also wear the hand-woven dream-catcher as an earing, to immediately hear the spirits that are in need.
ESP Level: 5/25, based on the online test. Don't judge me, I am new to this job.
Hello, classmates :)

Babaylan, that counts! But are we just going to take your word for your ESP level? To take a screenshot, press Print Screen on your keyboard, open MS Paint, paste the screenshot (CTRL+V), crop, save, then upload to an image hosting site (like postimage.org).
Everyone, because of the limitations of Goodreads threads and time/availability constraints, do not make your psi talents too complicated to be managed. Sorry to break your hearts (Enigma and X) but your powers have nothing to do with other's actual post or when these are posted.
And remember, one talent and one weapon only (unless your explanation supports how your talent can extend further). Don't forget your talent sources and limitations (check out the profiles of your classmates for ideas).

(view spoiler) ["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>

Psi Talent: Shocks the target with imaginary blinding white light that causes a temporary state in which him or her becomes visionless, without consciousness and nulled psy energy. The longevity of this temporary blank state depends on the source of light of the surrounding and the psy energy levels the target possess.

People under the effect gets this (view spoiler)
Weapon: ElectroGun. A gun that fires bullets that carries 1000 volts of electricity. Target gets electrocuted when shot.

Character Design:

ESP Level:
(view spoiler) ["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>


Code name: Malina
Psi talent: Radiation Manipulation
- Ability to absorb and manipulate radiation found in nature and the sun. Power is at its peak during high noon or until there is daylight. Once the sun has set, she can only rely on radon found in her surroundings for power resources. She can use radiation to emit heat and inflict harm on opponents through energy blasts stemming from a point or from multiple directions which can go until a mile radius, and create a force field for protection.
Weapon: Scepter. A chrome scepter with a pink gem which can be used to store radiation energy. Malina uses the staff to help her control the direction of her energy blasts but other than that, it's to whack her opponents with serious burn injuries during hand to hand combat.
ESP Level: (view spoiler) ["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>

Code Name: Ulimi
Psi Talent: (view spoiler)
Weapon: (view spoiler)
ESP Level: (view spoiler)
In my full regalia:
(view spoiler) ["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>

code name: serafina
(view spoiler)
Weapon of choice: a scalpel (view spoiler)
Esp level
[image error]["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>

For character design, to follow. :)

@Babaylan: You can take it as many times as you want naman daw, sabi sa rules ;)
@Ulimi: your niece designed all that? Wooow :o

Week 1 Activity:
Code Name: Paige
Psi Talent: (view spoiler)
Weapon: (view spoiler)
ESP Level: (view spoiler) ["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>

And I looove those back stories and character concepts. Not required, I know, but I'm fond of giving extra points, tee-hee. We might as well look for artists for our comic book series (probably when the discussion is over)!
Okay, enough of that, I'll be posting the Psionic Exercises in a few. Let me just remind you that if the four requirements in the student profile are not filled out (code name, psi talent, weapon, ESP level), you won't be allowed to participate further. So update those profiles soon!

A. Predict the questions that you will answer in a couple of days. The questions can be personal, thematic, or plot-related. That's not a lot of help, so listen to the voices from half-life very well. These will be your guide.
(view spoiler)
B. Let's go to the White Room!
(view spoiler)
As you can see, there are no obstacles inside. This room is basically a 1,000-sq m force field that traps, absorbs, and neutralizes psionic energy so as not to affect things outside of it. The materials are psionically created by the school founders; how they did it is a secret concealed in half-life. Having said that, your powers are only limited within the confines of this room.
You are inside this room. You only have yourself, your talent, and your weapon. In front of you is a humanoid dummy. With my illusory powers, I create an illusion that turns this dummy into a living opponent that you have to defeat. Your opponent takes the form and the profile of the classmate who posted his or her profile before you, and he or she is very eager to fight.
Show us a vivid and compelling description of how you would defeat your opponent (i.e. depict a fight scene). Please apply whatever it is that you have in your student profile, and work around the student profile of your opponent as well. If their profiles are incomplete, well, you can just wait for them to update them first before you do this activity. But if you want to get over this activity ASAP and your opponent's profile is still incomplete, just take their talent at face value and assume that they have no weapon.
You can't see us from the inside but we are watching you (the whiteness is also a product of my talent). Be better than the fight scenes that we watch from the superhero movies. So here's the order that the class has enrolled (you don't have to post in this order for this training):
(view spoiler)
Notes for A:
-You may post up to ten predictions.
-Keywords are acceptable.
-They don't have to be in order.
-2 points per accurate prediction.
-1 point per fuzzy prediction.
-Deadline is on Wednesday, July 29, 11:59 PM.
-Late answers will be ignored since the questions will have been revealed around that time.
Notes for B:
-2-5 points for your fight scene.
-Deadline is on Saturday, August 1, 11:59 PM.
-Late answers will earn half points.
-You can just edit your post if you intend to do Psixercises A and B in installments.["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>

Gah, I don't want to draw first blood, so I'll wait for my other classmates to post, hahaha

So I only bear only one weapon, and that is the Kampilan, an heirloom from my grandmama Amaya~

full notations - https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/10...
You can consider the luminous earrings as an ornament, or a tracking device, not exactly a weapon (view spoiler)
For the ESP level - I took the preliminary assessment and I got 7/25, see exam results below:

(view spoiler) ["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>

Psi Talent: Aura enhancing. Converts psi energy into aura which enhances offensive and defensive physical/psi abilities.
http://s27.postimg.org/nllq6f4bn/3837...
Weapon: Ball and chain
http://s14.postimg.org/xi0jnnm75/late...
ESP Level: http://s9.postimg.org/vpab9ywq7/Untit...

Esp grade highest is 6. Lowest was 1
Psi exercise A:
1.0 If you can stalk someone for a day without being noticed, who and why?
1.1 Ever had a feeling that someone is watching you (God not included)? If yes, pls share. If no,have you found an instance that you have stalked someone like in fb for example?
2. If you can be reincarnated or be born into someone else already living (or has lived), who could it be? Why?
3. If you can travel back in time,which era/century/year will you go back to? Ff-up. If it were a one way ticket, are you willing to be stuck there?
4. We find ourselves trying to fit or may be stumbling into a group, like here in TFG. What are the pros and cons of being in a group? Is it alright to be clannish?
5.is there a memory that you have that you want to be removed/altered?
I'm not sure if I'm on the right track but the questions derived need not be answered by the book? But then again, the test tells me I have low esp...

Hey all, in case you're not reading the notes thoroughly, you can post up to ten predictions.
This topic has been frozen by the moderator. No new comments can be posted.
Below is the reading plan. You may read at your own pace. I finished the book within three days so I won't hold it against you if you read ahead. However, for the purpose of creating a hopefully organized and fun discussion, I've divided the novel into four parts with each part corresponding to a week.
Week 1 (Jul 26 - Aug 1): Chapters 01 to 05
Week 2 (Aug 2 - Aug 8): Chapters 06 to 08
Week 3 (Aug 9 - Aug 15): Chapters 09 to 12
Week 4 (Aug 16 - Aug 21): Chapters 13 to 17
Discussion Guidelines:
-Activities, exercises, and questions will be posted every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday, respectively.
-I'll do this mostly around midnight.
-Participation will earn you points.
-They also have deadlines.
-But don't treat this as a race.
-You may edit your posts.
-But the timestamp that will be considered will be the last edited timestamp.
-The scoring system is 1/3 activities, 1/3 psixercises, and 1/3 discussion questions.
-Each week ends every Saturday, 11:59 PM.
-Except for the last week, which ends on the Friday before the F2F, same time.
-After each week, the points that you earn will be tallied.
-And you will be ranked accordingly.
-Points will then be reset to zero.
-And another week of questions and activities will begin.
-Each week's topnotcher will earn an immunity card.
-Which will be used during our F2F on August 22.
-Because yes, we will play a game that involves your ability to read cards and read people's minds.
-You may earn an immunity card only once.
-If you become a repeat topnotcher, the person ranking next to you for that week will earn the immunity card instead.
-You can still earn points even if your posts are beyond the deadlines.
-However, the weekly rankings will not be adjusted immediately.
-Adjustments will be applied on August 22 for the final tally.
-And for that final tally, your weekly rankings will be averaged to find out who will garner our top awards.
-These are the Superpsis 01, 02, and 03 (top overall participants).
-Special awards are the Superhuman (top participant in activities), the Supertalented (top participant in psixercises), and the Supergenius (top participant in discussion questions).
-You can still snatch the top awards even if you can't make it to the F2F.
-And oh, only the Top 12 can join the game on the F2F.
-That is, if the attendees exceed 12, excluding me.
Game? Game!