Objective
To determine whether collective amusement can be converted into measurable voltage stability within the empathy feedback network. Secondary goal: to prove to Reggie that laughter can, in fact, be quantified.
Procedure
Adapted the West Wing greenhouse into a semi-controlled environment. Installed 24 lanterns in parallel along the primary empathy loop. Reinforced ceiling fan servos for “ambient motion testing.” Fitted the Empathy Engine with three additional tone filters to detect giggle frequency. Elowen objected to the phrase “giggle frequency.” I persisted; the term remains apt.
Calibrated microphones by reading limericks aloud. Machine responded with polite applause — a good omen.
Introduced beverages as stimulus vectors: Resonant Wave (acoustic vibration medium), Polychrome Paradox (chromatic shift test for emotional tone), Velvet Circuit (caffeine control group). Elowen renamed these “cocktails.” I have elected not to argue terminology.
Observations
- Laughter amplitude directly correlates to power stability.
- A sincere smile produces fewer harmonics than a delighted shriek; hypothesis: mirth as alternating current.
- Elowen’s clumsiness appears catalytic — her near-falls generate communal empathy spikes averaging 0.7 joyvolts.
- When guests laughed simultaneously, lanterns synchronized to 72 BPM (approximate human heartbeat in moderate dancing).
- Engine displayed autonomous modulation to maintain rhythm — likely adaptive empathy, possibly musical ambition.
Anomalies
During power surge from spilled Polychrome Paradox, Engine emitted light described by observers as “flattering.” Lanterns brightened without external instruction. System self-regulated after 11.2 seconds, leaving faint smell of caramelized sugar and achievement.
Attempted replication via recorded laughter; Engine unresponsive. Hypothesis: authenticity as required input variable.
Conclusion
Joy functions as both conductor and insulator. When human resonance increases, error rate decreases. Recommend scheduling weekly “Calibration via Merriment” sessions. Reggie rolled eyes. Elowen applauded. Engine glowed.
Addendum
Formulas written in chalk during live jazz acquire pleasing curvature. Might be art. Must verify.