The sign of every Polerican is a strange adaptation known as an Echo Organ. Far from being exclusive to Polericans, however, this organ can be found in many people the world over. It infests our schools, being possessed by both teachers and students. Authors and actors have versions that let them imitate their predecessors. But what is an Echo Organ? To better avoid people with these things, and to avoid growing one of your own, this page will detail the existence of Echo Organs.
1. Where does it come from?
Everybody is capable of growing Echo Organs. They are formed by the brain to assist in certain types of thinking. The best way to avoid growing your own is to avoid this type of thinking. If you find yourself constantly taking other peoples' ideas and using them as your own, you are in danger of growing an Echo Organ. If you're not even aware of the difference between your own ideas and those of other people you might already have an Echo Organ growing in your brain.
2. What does it do?
The purpose of the Echo Organ is to relieve the burden of thought from other parts of the brain by simply taking sensory input and turning it into output. In effect it allows you to "echo" what you hear and present what you have just heard as your own though. This can be amazingly useful in certain settings. In a classroom, for example, it can make you appear to be paying attention and can even fool the teacher into thinking that you know what they're talking about! Many owners of Echo Organs have gotten great grades with no effort whatsoever thanks to this feature!
3. Are there any side effects?
Yes, like any extra organ, the Echo Organ can be expected to lead to certain side effects. First and foremost the Echo Organ generates a floating impulse by itself. If you go too long without speaking, this impulse will cause you to hover in the air, and finally to take off flying. Most Echo Organ owners who want to keep their ordinary lives therefore find themselves talking non-stop to avoid floating through the air.
Another side effect is that the placement of the Echo Organ in the head can occasionally lead to blocked air passages and make you talk with an annoying nasal voice. This does not happen in all cases, and usually is only found in the absolute worst cases. The convolution of air passages makes the owner capable of talking and inhaling at the same time. If the Echo Organ is extremely pronounced, the floaty material being expelled while talking can also affect the voice.
4. Can it be reversed?
If the owner of an Echo Organ rethinks his or her viewpoints and comes up with his or her own opinions, the Echo Organ will eventually shrivel from lack of use as the rest of the brain resumes its natural functions. As the Echo Organ shrivels the affected person will find it easier and easier to think for themselves, and soon the Echo Organ will be reabsorbed by the brain without a trace.