💙😂 It's a kind of therapy for me, too!

Same lol 😂 (and such a good post-breakup serotonin boost).

This comment gets 7 and a half Milchicks.

@@Radtrayson1084 The hardest thing I had to do was suffer through the Agent Doggett seasons of The X-Files.

​@@Salsa_SharkI love finding an XFiles fan out in the wild.

Hey, raven lord! This is an interesting way to look at it and as usual you've got me thinking. I guess it depends on what a "wrong" answer really means, on Lumon's end. It could mean wrong, as in the answer is entirely incorrect versus somewhat close, but not quite right. Is it binary or by degrees? The fact that they call it "refinement" bugs me, because it makes me think that they (Lumon) are only able to detect the undesirable data loosely, but not with the level of accuracy that a human can achieve, so they need human help to finish the job. It makes me think of a robot doing a task that requires delicacy, something a human would probably be better at, like comforting a scared child or detecting emotions in people. Intuition and emotionality are involved. To me, this implies that Lumon can't automate the process because of that requirement of emotional intelligence to detect the numbers. That said, the possibility that they are refining themselves still seems completely plausible.

I still think the correlation that many are trying to make between outside events and the data refinement are actual and not just for training a rat in a maze. Is Lexington referring to Lexington Avenue in NYC where the explosion happened or a city? What do all the file folders or projects mean? Are they the names of cities, rivers, or street names even? It seems like an awful lot of focus on making them mindless trainees without making a point for a purpose if you asked me.

@@tessthef1rst My main point was what is the purpose of using humans to sort data, rather than the machines.

@@ravenlord4 In math and computer science there is the concept of zero-knowledge proofs. Basically a system can know what the correct answer to something is without knowing how to solve something. This is the basis for things like blockchain and cryptography. I'll give you an example: There's a pile of metal on the floor that can be assembled into a key. The machine does not know how to assemble the key but the key knows that if the human makes the key and gives it to the computer it can put it in the lock and see if it turns. The system may not be complex enough to solve the of assembling of the key but knows when the key is correctly assembled. There are many such problems in computers and especially if what the MDR people are doing involves emotional intelligence its very conceivable that the system would not be able to solve the problem, but will know when its solved because some other effect will occur.

​@@drakewinwest9888 Ew, a fellow technocrat.

Hey, Charlie! Yeah, knowing this about memory helps make sense of a lot of how being severed actually works. I only scratched the surface, but it explains why they can remember certain things and not others.

Yes, that’s how the innies are functionally adult, but experientially babies. Everything from knowing how to use a toilet, to being able to speak a language, to knowing how to open doors and operate elevators, is stored in procedural memory. But they have no memories of how they acquired the skills and knowledge they have. I’m not sure that types of memory are that clearly delineated in the brain irl, but it’s fascinating idea.

@@sopyleecrypt6899 Yeah, based on the research I'd done, there is correspondence between types of memory. There is some overlap between the types, but there is enough difference that you can isolate them to some degree.

@@sopyleecrypt6899 Definitely it's interesting. Apparently from what I've read in the past, procedural memory is stored in so called "reptilian" brain rather than our neocortex. Presumably the chip has no effect on the reptilian brain. Interestingly enough, in real life, there have been rare cases where an adult has had an injury or serious illness, and lost all their procedural memory as well - they are literally like new borns, so not toilet trained, or with the ability to pick up food on a spoon and put in into their mouth easily, etc

That's why Irving figured out how to drive his car to Burt :o

Great catch and very interesting! If that was intentional it could be a piece of the puzzle.

Exactly what I was thinking. If they time a switch properly, they could cause serious accidents without the person having a clue as to what or why it happened.

I get the same exact feeling, like we need just a little more info to be able to put a bead on it. I'm still going over the handbook again to see if anything else stands out, but I doubt I'll find anything. My gut feeling is that it has something to do with it advising excessive handwashing lol

Yes! Yes! Yes! Irving said something about the soap in the bathroom not being labeled anymore. Maybe because it’s not actually soap? It could be some diluted medication and washing your hands frequently, keeps the medicine in their system? I love your theories

Really just an evolution of what 'crazy' people were saying in the 60s tbh

Probably safer not to.

You not seeing the advantage doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. You can live a life with no work. No stress or anxiety. No deadlines. No effort. 100% of your time is leisure, besides commuting to work. I would consider it.

I thought about that too. If only we could have seen Jim, and confirm that he looks exactly like Seth...

@@nautilusfiles Somewhat, distantly related, the choice of clothes is well-considered. Milchik wears short sleeves because he is most likely to have to get his hands dirty.

Yup! I am of the mind that Lumon is putting something in their products to further their goals, on the low. I suspect the water in that town is laced with something too.

Ohhh

@@DesireeStamat i'm pretty sure Peggy is coming back as a innie like Gemma. She's not dead. they won't lose a subject like that. She has been kidnapped and lost her freedom. But she's not dead. I'm pretty sure she's not dead. just permanently Innie now

Might be the person who is replacing Gemma

What if they made Helly’s innie personality using Gemma’s data to fill that subconscious void inside of Mark? This would do a bit more to explain the subtle love interest; Mark taking the break room for her, Mark following her through the light (Hallway to the goats), yet his innie was never altered. Maybe he was just told she died so his outie conscious and innie subconscious believe that yet some parts of his humanness leak through the severance? Gemma seems very vacant and robotic almost like she is missing a personality or soul. Other wild theories on my constantly growing list of theories: Gemma is Peggy? I still think there has got to be some sort of innie reset button for when workers start to develop new memories and subconscious links. What will happen to them all at the start of season 2 after the override stunt with Dylan holding the switches down? I predict Helly’s speech will suddenly be turned into some sort of joke about people’s natural fears or that the “Friends of Lumen” are already severed people and that it is a private event that wasn’t live but will be edited later for public access. With the override we know that information stays with the person like how Dylan found out about his son. Maybe Helly will still remember what her innie wanted to say and continue on. What I’m getting at is that all the characters will need to have some sort of reset to silence and erase all the information they know to continue working. That or they will become permanent innies, or they will die in some bizarre “accidents” and a new 4 will appear. I sincerely hope they keep the same 4 actors and maybe bring a few new ones on the outside. I’ve grow too attached to the characters to let go already. All I know is that every part of this show keeps my imagination running wild with possibilities and I love the feeling. Sometimes the wonder of not knowing and thinking of all the outcomes can be even more fun than getting the answers. Sure some questions will be answered but these writers are smart and will keep everyone guessing about some aspect of the show. I doubt any of my guesses are right but it will be fun to see. Gah I can’t wait for Season 2.

​@@exzisdbut Peggy is a 50 year old woman. how can she be Gemma?

Emotional ambivalence? I don't get how mixed or contradictory feelings would play into it.

not trying to detract from an interesting comment, but fyi the idea that lemmings commit mass suicide is a myth--when Disney was making a film called White Wilderness in 1958, the photographers wanted a dramatic shot so they just threw a bunch of lemmings off a cliff 💀

Appreciate it, Bridget! Thanks for the kind words. I'm just happy to know there are people out there who don't mind me yammering on about these shows I like lol

Wuuuut? Probably to ensure hands get washed thoroughly... which is really weird. I'm telling you, there is either something in the water or in Lumon products because they are far too concerned with handwashing at an office.

A year late, but that singing would explain Ms Cobell singing to the department after they disregarded her orders. A trigger to try to make them more compliant again maybe?

Dive, Dive, Dive! 🙌

I really think there might be something to it. If we only had a few more confirming clues. Guess we'll have to wait until season 2!

Thank you, Zachary. This comment made my day!

@@nautilusfiles it's proper payback then as your video made mine! I hope there is a finger trap and waffle party in your near future!

That's a really great theory. More plausible than anything I've been able to come up with.

Hey, Janet! I think she was declared dead, but probably in critical condition and smuggled out to Lumon by people with the power to make the decisions and create the conditions needed. My best assumption is that Lumon has police or medical personnel that are there to make it look legit. I'm with you on the idea that both Mark and Gemma were targeted by them too. Lumon seems to somehow be able to cause "car accidents" that allow them to snatch people (or not, as in the case of Peg). Really, makes you wonder if they are choosing people and pulling the strings behind the events of their lives that ultimately find them on the severed floor.

@@nautilusfiles Aha! Yes because you usually can't just fake someone else's death. You would need the cooperation of police and medical personnel and I'm forgetting that Lumon is good at getting the cooperation of people you'd tend to trust. Now I'm even more curious to find out why they (more than likely) targeted Gemma and Mark and what Gemma's state actually is. Thanks for posting this! I'm usually a sitcom fan, but this show really grabbed me and I hope we don't have to wait too long for Season 2 - although if we do, it'll be worth the wait, I'm sure.

@@janetbeatrice9505 Yeah, I would think there must be something special about people who work in MDR, and Lumon has a way of finding that out? And you pointed out one of the biggest mysteries regarding Gemma. We still don't know if she's in that body. I'm dying to know!

@@nautilusfiles I think she is because she told Mark she felt a familiarity and comfort with him. I hope she is!

Thank you, Mareks! Always good to see you!

I like this theory. Like a self-auditing AI .

yes! @@HoundsBane

Thanks, Dan. Same here. I've got a feeling it will be worth the wait!

Glad to hear it :)

Thanks, Julia! More Severance vids on the way😃

I think Petey is referring to his own perception of time because of how his innie has only lived a few years while his outtie is over 40. After integration, his brain is having difficulty reconciling the two lifespans that are vastly different in length. What happened last week, as an innie, feels like it was decades ago to his outtie. Events don't line up chronologically in his mind.

Appreciated, NB!

Getting the chip back was Harmony's personal goal. She's running her own experiments, etc. That's why she had to do it herself, and not just have it arranged through the company. It probably does not have any value in the eyes of Lumon higher ups.

because they don't know that petey was reintegrated meaning that he was "let go" for reasons more serious than that. harmony personally retrieved the chip cause she was the only one that believed he was reintegrated.

There seems to be no surefire way of keeping tabs on all the chips knowing that people can quit the severed departments. It would quickly become untenable to "terminate" that many severed people in the outside world, given that it is known to quite wide circles of their families, friends and acquaintances that they had been severed. That would mean the chip itself is not that valuable, since what Harmony did could quite easily be done by just about any other party wanting to get in on the action. It seems like the chip is not that much of a trade secret, probably many have figured out how it is built and how it works by now.

Thanks, Wh1! Good to see you :)

Haha! Awesome! 🙌🙏

Thanks, Dem0n! I'm waiting for more info/leaks to make an update. Ofc, that trailer drop will require a video too.

I think Cobel has a line where she says they are in the process of expanding, so this skeleton crew might be temporary when the new people arrive. I guess we will see the new hires in Season 2. Either way, it's still weird how they only seem to have one MDR department per site.

Perfectly put! Like you said, it's in there for a reason, but I question the direct correlation... for now.

I did! I thought it was pretty funny.

OMG, I just made the connection! Thanks so much!

@@nautilusfiles You're very welcome.

A lot of the fans seem to think so too. I don't think anyone has come with anything yet, but it wouldn't surprise me if there is some clue in it.

Google: Severance The Lumon Letter pdf

Olivia! 🙌

Yeah, if you stand back and try to take in all the clues about Lumon's reach and influence, I keep finding myself questioning the water and all the Lumon products, and that they always seem to be linked to important story elements. It's beyond coincidence at this point, but what do I know? I just work here 😂