Difference between revisions of "Tin foil hat"

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A '''tin foil hat''' is a new [[Randomized appearance|appearance]] for unidentified [[helm]]s in [[SporkHack]] and a new item in [[UnNetHack]]. Wearing this item blocks [[telepathy]] from all sources, including itself if it happens to be a [[helm of telepathy]] in SporkHack. It also prevents damage from a [[mind flayer]]'s psychic blast.
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{{armor
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|color=metal
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|name=tinfoil hat (UnNetHack)
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|tile=[[Image:tinfoil_hat.png]]
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|appearance=tinfoil hat
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|cost=1
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|slot=helm
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|ac=0
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|weight=0
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|material=metal
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|special=<ul><li>protects from [[Mind flayer|psychic blast]]</li><li>nullifies [[telepathy]]</li></ul>
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}}
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A '''tin foil hat''' is a new [[Randomized appearance|appearance]] for unidentified [[helm]]s in [[SporkHack]], as well as a new non-randomized helm in [[UnNetHack]].  
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The tin foil hat protects the wearer from damage from a (master) [[mind flayer]]'s psychic blast, with the downside that it also prevents the wearer from sensing monsters by [[telepathy]].  This applies to any active source of telepathy the player has&mdash;including, in SporkHack, the helm itself, if it happens to be the random appearance of the [[helm of telepathy]].  This means that in any game in SporkHack, there is a possibility that you will not be able to count on a helm of telepathy being an effective source of ESP for your [[ascension kit]].
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In UnNetHack, the tin foil hat is [[weight]]less and made of [[metal]] (which does not [[Erosion|rust or corrode]]), and, like the [[dented pot]], does not require a full [[turn]] to [[wear]] if the player is [[fast]].  However, it does not contribute to the wearer's [[AC]], giving it little value apart from its psychic protection.  With a base price of only one [[zorkmid]], surplus tin foil hats are probably not even worth saving for the next [[shop]] you encounter.
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{{clear}}
  
 
==Origin==
 
==Origin==
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{{wikipedia|Tin foil hat}}
  
A tin foil hat is a stereotype for paranoia, delusional beliefs and conspiracy theories. It is supposed to prevent NASA, the FBI and Aliens from reading or controlling the person's mind.
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Tin foil hats are head coverings made from aluminum ("tin") foil, which (supposedly) protect against attempts (by government organizations, spies, extraterrestrials, etc.) to read or control the wearer's mind. The theory is that the foil functions as a [[Wikipedia:Faraday cage|Faraday cage]], a device that prevents electromagnetic waves from entering a space, in this case the wearer's brain.  In practice, however, foil wrapped around the head does not make an effective Faraday cage.  (Real Faraday cages are made by sufficiently enclosing spaces with metal sheets or grids.)
  
It is supposed to work like a Faraday cage, but in practice it fails even at that. A Faraday cage is a real device that blocks electromagnetic waves. It is simply built by sufficiently enclosing a space with metal sheets or grids.
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Because of the questionable theories behind them, tin foil hats are stereotypically associated with conspiracy theories and paranoia, which gives the phrase "tin foil hat" a generally negative connotation. Some communities have "redeemed" the concept, though, with tongue-in-cheek tin foil hat design contests.
  
 
{{stub}}
 
{{stub}}

Revision as of 01:01, 19 July 2015

[   tinfoil hat (UnNetHack)   Tinfoil hat.png
Appearance tinfoil hat
Slot helm
AC 0
Special
Base price 1 zm
Weight 0
Material metal

A tin foil hat is a new appearance for unidentified helms in SporkHack, as well as a new non-randomized helm in UnNetHack.

The tin foil hat protects the wearer from damage from a (master) mind flayer's psychic blast, with the downside that it also prevents the wearer from sensing monsters by telepathy. This applies to any active source of telepathy the player has—including, in SporkHack, the helm itself, if it happens to be the random appearance of the helm of telepathy. This means that in any game in SporkHack, there is a possibility that you will not be able to count on a helm of telepathy being an effective source of ESP for your ascension kit.

In UnNetHack, the tin foil hat is weightless and made of metal (which does not rust or corrode), and, like the dented pot, does not require a full turn to wear if the player is fast. However, it does not contribute to the wearer's AC, giving it little value apart from its psychic protection. With a base price of only one zorkmid, surplus tin foil hats are probably not even worth saving for the next shop you encounter.

Origin

Tin foil hats are head coverings made from aluminum ("tin") foil, which (supposedly) protect against attempts (by government organizations, spies, extraterrestrials, etc.) to read or control the wearer's mind. The theory is that the foil functions as a Faraday cage, a device that prevents electromagnetic waves from entering a space, in this case the wearer's brain. In practice, however, foil wrapped around the head does not make an effective Faraday cage. (Real Faraday cages are made by sufficiently enclosing spaces with metal sheets or grids.)

Because of the questionable theories behind them, tin foil hats are stereotypically associated with conspiracy theories and paranoia, which gives the phrase "tin foil hat" a generally negative connotation. Some communities have "redeemed" the concept, though, with tongue-in-cheek tin foil hat design contests.

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