Rapid Switching

[redrainstorm.livejournal.com]

When in a chatroom with alleged multiples, they seem to switch very quickly between their mates. In one comment they're a little, and two seconds later they're a big, and three seconds after that they're an "angry alter", etc. For many reasons other then this though, I believe they're faking. But just wondered if this is possible for others.
I've tried to have my group better at rapid switching where we can switch out quickly and be completely separate while fronting because I think it would benefit certain situations, and I can't do it that fast.
Cofronting is even difficult... Our thoughts are kind of meshed... Or come out as one thought between the two of us. But they don't come out "I want to go!" "Me too!" All in one blurb.
I was wondering if people can truly switch as fast as these people in the chatroom do, because we can't do it even when trying!

Comments

[ksol1460.livejournal.com]

Oh, certainly. In fact, the first night that we were in an IRC chatroom for multiples, we were thrown out for what appeared to be exactly the kind of fast switching you describe. Actually, we were not doing whole switches, but had I believe two co-running and doing the typing alternately, both for themselves and for the one or two others co-present who had something to say but didn't want to come all the way front.

What we were doing, in short, was nick-switching; which we still do on IRC as a common courtesy to let others know who is speaking. It is the same principle as that which you see in our LJ icons with our names on them. The reason we were thrown out had to do with the fact that unknown to us, the people in this particular chatroom were largely "host" sorts, who were terrified to see others switch (or seem to), or use different names, because it encouraged the other persons in their own groups to make their presences known, and this was something these people found very disconcerting. Had we known this we never would have visited that chatroom.

That said: We are, in fact, capable of extremely fast switching. Depending on who is involved and other circumstances, we can change places within a few seconds. People observing us might not notice a thing. We have also been told that our co-running appears to others as fast switching.

In short: Yes, we can, for some it is a matter of long practise, for others one of natural disposition, in our case both, and a group should not be ruled out as "faking" solely on the basis that they are, or appear to be, fast-switching. I take your point that there are other factors which cause you to wonder are these groups legitimate. Since we are talking about on line, it's very difficult to judge, as you're aware.

[redrainstorm.livejournal.com]

Yes there are many, many other reasons as why I think they are faking, not just the switching. But it just floored me because we seemed to be "slower" at it. Usually people can notice a switch because it's almost like we're "blank" for 5-10 seconds when someone is switching places - almost like we are a dissociative, non-response state. I dunno if that makes sense... I just wonder if there's a way to make switching smoother. The only time we switch really fast is if there's some sort of trigger.

[ksol1460.livejournal.com]

What bothered you about the fact that you are (or appear to be) slower to switch than they were? Is it because the blank space you describe is disadvantageous to you? I would think that smooth or fast switching would be a matter of practise. You might try to see if there is some way you can cue yourselves without an actual "trigger" as such.

[ksol1460.livejournal.com]

If you watch our icons, you've seen three or four of us send comments to LJ within a few minutes of one another. We are not necessarily switching to do that. Not only is what Andy said true, but the way our communications are set up, a lot of times what you're seeing is not coming from whoever is using the body at the time. You are reading a transcript. The actual person whose message it is gets his or her icon on the message, but may be nowhere near the front. Imoreh rarely fronts at all; he phones or telegraphs his emails and LJ comments. Ekristheh (Chris) fronts more often, but most of the time when you see something with his name on it, he's back in his apartment or at work in Halath, and he's emailing his messages. They arrive in the studio, whoever's at front translates what's said into English if necssary, types it, puts the writer's signature or icon on it, done.

Actually I'm in what you would identify as an internet cafe right now. Elaq is front.

[redrainstorm.livejournal.com]

Makes sense. We used to have a gatekeeper like being that would translate all that was going on inside to the outside world. People who were close to us could then understand a little more of what was happening with us. During the time when we had a gatekeeper (that was our term for this being) they would do that on IM and switch peoples font colors so people who know who was saying what. But even then it had this mini delay going on - I guess I can't describe it. I just never saw it happen so fast and our system can't seem to do it without a gatekeeper who hasn't been around in a long time.

[ksol1460.livejournal.com]

Yeah, we know gatekeepers. In a way we have that except ours is automated. We're also very familiar with changing font colors to show who is talking. We used to (and sometimes still do) color-code things for each other, because we don't know when we're going to switch right in the middle of writing something, and the new person can look at the color and see who was up before them. This made us look a lot more consistent on line than we really are.

What in particular bothers you about the mini-delay? Is it because like Andy said, the mini-delay has a disadvantage, or is it more that other people are doing (with what looks like relative ease) something you want to do and are having trouble learning?

[kalli-moon.livejournal.com]

I'm just me when I type but other times Chex Mix is around and they want me to type things for them. xoxoxoxo

[shandra.livejournal.com]

We couldn't for a long time, but as we've gotten more co-conscious we can do really quick switches, or (on the net) type for each other. For us words (reading, typing) actually sort of come before a full-body switch; switching to interact physically takes us a bit longer. Dunno if that makes sense as I've written it.

[nancy-nensi.livejournal.com]

Nensi and I can switch rapidly, as long as she's close to the front to start with.

Sometimes we play two person games like Mancala. It's a great way to practice a game and learn the strategies that help you win. We agree ahead of time how much information we will share with one another. We can play so that we aren't aware of each other's plans and strategies, or so that we're pretty transparent to each other.

[exsillium-nocte.livejournal.com]

The only way we can switch that fast is if we're co-fronting, but that state is very hard for us to maintain.

[raido-household.livejournal.com]

Well, we can switch quickly. Or rather, we switch quickly whether we want or don't. Katri can be in the middle of a conversation with her best friend and then, all of a sudden, it's Dana who finds herself talking with her. A half a minute, even a second later it can be someone else.

This is something we call "hurricanes". The persons fronting switch quickly and most often involuntarily.

*hug* I wish it were easier to you rather than so difficult, when at the same time it can happen to us without us wanting it.

- Heta

[garden-keep.livejournal.com]

We can switch very quickly when stressed out. Usually, though, we like a slower transition. (There's less confusion - especially when we're doing something like walking. Once, Eve wanted out while we were walking to the store. I was walking forward with the right foot when she "shoved" me out of the way midstep. She tried to bring our left foot up while the right one was still in the air and we had quite an ungraceful landing, to say the least.)

Mostly we have someone fronting, and others who are awake and paying attention ("close to the front") can comment. I was making snide comments in our LJ about Eve, and she kept trying to take over to put in her own $0.02. We ended up fighting over it until we agreed that I should type, but only if I wrote down exactly what she was saying in parenthesis. And sometimes people's comments are just too funny not to input!

[mirrorbrothers.livejournal.com]

Mmm, you'll see me jump into Rob's posts once in a while. I guess I'm just in the habit of kibitzing. That, and I like it when the way Rob and I relate to each other can be public, since I've basically been a secret all my life.

- Johnny

[fractured-girl.livejournal.com]

I don't feel like signing up with an account of my own, so I'll use this one. I feel that I'm the smarter one, so I wanted to give my opinion on this. There are times when rapid-switching is quite possible, especially for certain ones. Now, I would expect this to be myself, but it isn't so. Instead, it is hard for me to emerge. There is a struggle, and there is pain. It makes my head throb, and ones at the forefront cry, hahaha. They cry because they don't want to go back, I don't think they get a headache. I know them much more than they know me. Well, I know "her" and I know "fractured_girl". There is one that I know nothing about, a weak simpleton of a little girl. I don't care about her except to keep her out of trouble, and to keep her out of control. When in control she ruins things. She does things that the host will be blamed for, and the host has no knowledge. This is creating a problem, but the host is also scared of this whole situation. I do not see why. Ah, well, I just thought about "fractured_girl", so I can see how it CAN be a problem. FG has no happy memories, for a reason. She was just a catcher for abuse, and she seems to be more self-destructive than she gives herself credit for. Me? I'm the backbone, incarnate; or at least as close to incarnate as it will get with her. I tend to hate them both, but I have to share this body, and I want to live this life well, so I will protect it. I will protect them from themselves.

Do not try forcing yourself to switch rapidly. It won't work. There will be those that can do it, and those that can't, sometimes even in the same body. I'll admit it would be nice. Sometimes it is hard to keep things running smooth when the wrong one is in control, and a friend of someone else walks into the picture wanting to talk to the one who is currently not at the helm. In those situations I have to fight my way forward to keep suspicions from rising. Oh yes, it would be terribly bad if her friends found out. FG's friends? They won't care, they all have their own issues. However, the host is friends with those who will pass judgements, mock, and try to lock her up. That will not be good. That would be dangerous. They view anyone who shares their body with more than one mind as a "dangerous freak". Just charming, is it not? Alas, I grow weary. We should have been sleeping, and I see it is no longer early evening, but instead almost 6AM. And damn FG and her coffee, I hate coffee. Goodnight, and Goodluck!

[sethrenn.livejournal.com]

However, the host is friends with those who will pass judgements, mock, and try to lock her up. That will not be good. That would be dangerous. They view anyone who shares their body with more than one mind as a "dangerous freak". Just charming, is it not?

Should you really be hanging out with people like that? It doesn't sound like those are real friends at all, if they'd treat you that way.