INCIDENT CLASSIFICATION: UNCONTAINED MEMETIC THREAT
The following document contains information about Cognitohazard-67, an active memetic threat that remains uncontained since initial discovery in 2001. Personnel without specialized memetic hazard training should limit exposure to this document.
INCIDENT OVERVIEW
In 2001, SPHERE infantry units were deployed to investigate reports of unusual activity at an abandoned research facility located at [REDACTED COORDINATES]. What they discovered would become one of SPHERE's most significant uncontained threats.
The facility, previously believed to be a civilian research installation, was found to contain evidence of catastrophic cognitohazard exposure affecting all on-site personnel. The nature of the research being conducted prior to the outbreak remains classified.
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INITIAL DISCOVERY TIMELINE
SPHERE infantry unit Alpha-7 arrives at facility perimeter. External observation reveals no obvious signs of structural damage or forced entry. All external communications systems appear to be deliberately disabled.
Alpha-7 breaches facility main entrance. Interior lights functional. No personnel encountered in reception or administrative areas. Team proceeds to research wing.
First contact with affected personnel. Team encounters 7 individuals in main research laboratory. All subjects displaying identical behavioral anomalies. Initial assumption: chemical exposure or biological contamination.
Cognitohazard identified. All affected personnel exhibiting symptoms not consistent with chemical or biological agents. Memetic hazard protocols activated. Additional 23 affected individuals discovered throughout facility.
Affected subjects become hostile upon sustained visual contact with uninfected personnel. Engagement unavoidable. All 30 affected individuals neutralized. Zero SPHERE casualties. Facility secured.
OBSERVED SYMPTOMS
PRIMARY BEHAVIORAL MARKERS
- Repetitive vocalization of the number "67" in deteriorating vocal patterns
- Continuous performance of identical hand gesture (configuration classified)
- Complete cessation of all other verbal communication
- Loss of apparent awareness of surroundings or self-preservation instincts
- Fixation on the number 67 in all observed contexts
SECONDARY EFFECTS
- Acute aggression triggered by visual contact with uninfected individuals
- Gradual physical deterioration of vocal apparatus from constant vocalization
- Evidence of sleep deprivation - affected subjects do not appear to sleep
- Inability to process instructions or communicate beyond the number 67
- Progressive degradation of fine motor control (except for the specific hand gesture)
[REDACTED - MEMETIC HAZARD RISK]
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THE NUMBER
DO NOT VOCALIZE. DO NOT WRITE REPEATEDLY. DO NOT FIXATE.
The specific significance of the number 67 remains unknown. Extensive analysis of the facility's research records, remaining documentation, and equipment has failed to reveal why this particular number became the focal point of the cognitohazard.
Theories proposed:
- Experiment designation or trial number
- Code embedded in research data
- Memetic trigger artificially created
- Natural cognitohazard that manifested at facility
- Communication attempt from non-human intelligence
All theories remain unconfirmed. The origin of Cognitohazard-67 is unknown.
TRANSMISSION VECTORS
CONFIRMED TRANSMISSION METHODS
VOCALIZATION: Repeated verbalization of "67" can induce cognitohazard effects in susceptible individuals. Risk increases with repetition count.
SYMBOLIC REPRESENTATION: Writing, displaying, or fixating on the number 67 in symbolic form carries memetic transmission risk.
GESTURE REPLICATION: Performing the associated hand gesture significantly increases infection probability. Visual documentation of the gesture is prohibited.
RESISTANCE FACTORS
Not all individuals exposed to Cognitohazard-67 transmission vectors become infected. Resistance factors remain poorly understood but may include:
- Limited exposure duration
- Strong baseline mental conditioning
- Awareness of memetic hazard nature (paradoxically protective)
- Individual neurological variance
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POST-INCIDENT ACTIONS
Facility placed under quarantine. All deceased subjects cremated using hazmat protocols. Surviving SPHERE personnel subjected to 30-day observation for delayed infection symptoms. No secondary infections occurred among Alpha-7 team members.
Comprehensive investigation of facility conducted. All research materials catalogued and analyzed. Multiple attempts to identify origin of cognitohazard unsuccessful. Facility remains under SPHERE control and surveillance.
Ongoing monitoring for new manifestations of Cognitohazard-67. Public awareness suppressed. Memetic hazard training updated to include 67-specific protocols. No new cases confirmed outside original facility until [REDACTED].
CURRENT THREAT ASSESSMENT
THREAT LEVEL: HIGH
Cognitohazard-67 remains an active, uncontained memetic threat. While no large-scale outbreak has occurred since 2001, the potential for transmission persists. The cognitohazard's origin, purpose (if any), and full transmission mechanics remain unknown.
All SPHERE personnel are required to report any:
- Compulsive thoughts about the number 67
- Involuntary vocalization of "67"
- Urges to perform specific hand gestures
- Encounters with individuals displaying infection symptoms
CONTAINMENT STATUS
Cognitohazard-67 remains an active threat. Source unknown. Transmission possible. Full containment protocols unavailable.
IF YOU EXPERIENCE SYMPTOMS, REPORT TO NEAREST SPHERE FACILITY IMMEDIATELY