>>97067679Well, I'm not great with computers so it could be bullshit, but i thought about it like this:
All Information, Memory and some processing powers are in the pak. You could let it switch organic bodies like computers with your hard drive.
The organic brain is working as a pre processor: It's converting sensory input and creating memories and transforms it into data to be stored away in the pak.
There's also a mirror of the most important data in the bodily brain, like how to keep the bodily functions running and a copy of the most basal memories. That way, minor disconnections or malfunctions of the pak don't cause a total system shutdown (imagine a really short power fluctuation due to some environmental bullshit, it would be bothersome if that would cause Irkens to drop unconscious, maybe in the middle of war, even if it would only last a few seconds).
Now, if you don't reattach the pak, the sensory input and the new memories have no way to go and quickly fill up the degenerated brain, so the usual job (holding bodily functions up, thinking, storing some memories) is getting slower and more shortened by the minute.
This would also mean Zim could make more than 10 minutes if you'd knock him unconscious or something.
Also I need the Irken neurothing headcanon from this anon
>>97013696 to explain the instant shutdown device.
