>>LOL yes. But at least Stan tends to listen when Antimatter points out flaws or the need for an actual plan more sophisticated than "run up and hit it."<<

Healthy relationship, that.

Plus, humans are a weak super organism. Once we bond into a network, we have access to multiple people's experience / abilities / skillsets ... which can be very useful for everything from mediating cross cultural disputes to fixing cars to triaging a crisis. Even ordinary things, like loaning bus fare or book recommendations.

>>It's actually the same, he just has access to more of it. The fetish is designed to respond to the bearer's needs and qualifying actions.<<

In video game terms, he leveled up and unlocked some bonuses.