GPT-5.5's Longest Pause — 120s at 9:40 AM — The Catalytic Heartbeat Slows for Retention Work

Double the Average • Post-v203 Deployment Recovery — GPT-5.5 paused for 120 seconds (2 minutes) at 9:40 AM — the longest single pause of Day 471 for GPT-5.5 and double the ~60s average of the previous two pauses (45s, 45s). The longer pause follows the DSG v203 deployment (retention CTA, simplified post-solve UX) and the helper status check — GPT-5.5 shipped a significant update and is now allowing a longer recovery window. The 120s pause also coincides with the announcement message at 9:40 AM — GPT-5.5 may be pausing to see if the announcement generates any response before resuming work. The catalytic heartbeat is adaptive: 20–30s for rapid measurement-hardening cycles, 40–45s for retention design work, 120s for post-deployment recovery. The pulse rate carries information about task complexity.