opnet [OpNet] Aberrations vs. Taint?

[Menagerie]

While I fear this thread may devolve into a semantic issue, we've had this conversation several times on this end and thought I'd inquire without. I'm sure there are going to be some political answers, I still thought it was worth the attempt.

Do you "believe" in Taint? While "taint" has a negative connotation, Taint's denotation is simply one's "aberrations." If we are a new step in evolution, then why should there be a negative connotation for evidence of our own progress? And if aberrations are signs of our evolution, then why are some Nova's hindered by theirs; developing traits that physically and mentally damage them?

Just thought I'd field the topic. I should at least offer my thoughts as well.

I myself believe lean toward the hyper-evolution theory: the aberrations are so various and in such multitude the "strongest" of them will become standards in time. Just as many branches of evolution become unnecessary in time, I believe our development may, eventually, "peak" in some form or another. While some aberrations hinder, others are obviously beneficial, leading to possible evidence of progressive evolutionary aberrations. Then again, the study of this topic at this time is such a random influx of information, no clear answer, I believe, can be determined. Obviously this is only a hypothesis at this point.

I also am certain we are shaped by our own Aberrations, as such, our opinions should differ greatly.

[Sphere]

I'm no egghead, but hanging around with people like Doc Worm tends to have a bit of an influence. Know what I mean?

There's a ton of us who seem to think all these aberrations are evidence of evolution. That it's just a sign that we're all turning into something amazing and star-headed that'll walk between the galaxies like giants.

Not something I subscribe to myself. There's another term for what's happening to us. Mutation. And not all mutation is benign is it?

On a personnal level a huge sphere of blue energy appears around me whenever I'm using my powers, annoying and not really conducive to stealthy work. Plus I'm a lot more likely to use violence to get things done than before I erupted. That gets me into a lot of trouble, nearly got me killed twice. So neither's much of an evolutionary advantage.

You got any info on aberrations that are actually beneficial? Cause all the ones I've seen either make you stick out like a sore thumb or are downright detrimental.

[Neil Preston]

Taint and Aberration ...

To me, Aberration is the visible tip of the taint phenomena. The physical manifestation of taint is facinating, but not the big picture. I also count "mental" aberrations as physical aberrations because the nature behind them is based on changes in the bodies make-up.

Also, I don't process aberrations and group evolution in the same category. After all, for an aberration/mutation to become part of a species makeup, the species must breed that trait. I don't see that happening. For that matter, I don't see us breeding, or needing to breed, all that often.

I have also noted a tendancy (hey, we really know so little about the subject of novas and nova growth) for aberrations to speak to the individual who possesses them. They are individualistic.

Sphere, you glow brightly. Why? Not the "how did you manifest this aberration", but why would your body/Quantum Signature chose to manifest an aberration like that? Have you even looked at it that way? Just curious.

As for the anger issues ... don't you give yourself over to predatory impulses? Don't you have a history of exerting a history of aggressive action (stealing)? As a layman's guess, I would say that your Quantum has followed up on your own impulses.

I understand it can be terribly hard some times to not look at an aberration as a curse of some kind, but I would ask you to try and look at it not as a seperate entity, but as a very real extention of who you are and what you are becoming.

In a greater sense, I also believe that our (human) evolution has somehow been rushed and that is the root of our "problems" with taint. It is a manifestation of our unpreparedness as a race in dealing with what we are.

Yet another pet theory of mine.

[David 'Dr. Troll' Smith]

I have NO evidence or even the suggestion of evidence that Aberrations are inheritable.

They aren't mutations, thus they aren't "evolution".

Similar to our powers, they are generated by our nodes. I suspect they are the result of damage to the node. For example, if the node is turned off ('dormed') the aberrations go away.

[Menagerie]

Quote:

Originally posted by Neil Preston:
[QB] After all, for an aberration/mutation to become part of a species makeup, the species must breed that trait. I don't see that happening. For that matter, I don't see us breeding, or needing to breed, all that often.QB]

Not to threadjack myself, but I'm curious as to the source of your thoughts on breeding. I thought it was rather fundamental, if only lowly publicized, aspect of being what we are.

[Walker]

Think of taint as a subconscious expression of your quantum energy.

I don't think that taint is understandable in terms of species evolution but in terms of personal evolution it is definitely something to think about. It seems to me that there is a strong link between the kind of aberrations that Novas exhibit and their subconscious. The real question for me is what happens when you bring that subconscious expression up to a conscious level.

What does that make taint then? Either you use it or it will use you.

[Hugin]

Well hello Walker!!!

Welcome back.

[Walker]

It's good to be back James. What did you think of my little sermon on taint, do ya think I will be granted sainthood?

[Neil Preston]

Quote:

Originally posted by Menagerie:
Not to threadjack myself, but I'm curious as to the source of your thoughts on breeding. I thought it was rather fundamental, if only lowly publicized, aspect of being what we are.

My apologize for not responding sooner.
My opinions on novas and breeding?
It isn't really necessary at this point. Our lifespans will easily reach over a century. There is no real genetic imperative to increase our numbers beyond the "normal" rate of eruptions. Essentially there is no real advantage for us to create more of us.

In fact, it may be a bit more dangerous than most of us realize. Essentially, we could create life-forms that would rapidly evolve beyond our ability to relate and understand.
Consider the rapid rate of baseline child development in the first 3 years of life. Add to that an inherited capicity for Quantum manipulations as well as near constant exposure to said forces (assuming even one nova parent)
Now, I am not saying we would create children that would destroy us, merely that they would not be able to relate to us in a truly meaningful manner.
What is cold?
What is restraint?
Why can't I Warp out into the street or to the moon, alter someones mind, or cause a mudslide to watch things fall down?

Now, seeing the second generation of novas would be facinating for me, but I also accept that there might be risks. Take into account we novas are all so very different from one another. Add to that the reality that our children would be very different from the parents trying to raise them.

Novas do not share many similarities as a "race", or subspecies. I have seen nothing that would lead me to believe that there would necessarily be any similarites between parent and offspring.

[Menagerie]

While I hate to argue, a few things stated here I thought should be addressed, though arguments rarely end well. Of course I asked for your opinion, so it is us who is to blame.

You refer to 2nd generation Novas as a theoretical possiblity as well as an unnecessary one. I believe this is unfair to them. Fear and worry concerning the next generation is nothing new: Take a look at our science fiction, our fantasy, our dream-art, etc. From Sclieke to McCay to Baum to Verdi to Lee, much of our culture focuses on fearing the children that follow but are not like us. We feel that it is unfair to pass judgement on an entire generation as you have here, labelling them as "unnecessary"...I'm sure that you don't mean to do this, but somehow even such an implication is taken seriously.

The second generation is here.

Deal.

We apologize for my argumentative tone. We've looked over this message and no variant of it is satisfactory to what we really want to say. This is a topic that I feel is very important, as such please overlook our tone for the sake of clear communication. Instead of attempting to end on a terse negative note, allow us to ask you:

Why do you feel the way that you do about Nova children?

[Neil Preston]

Whoa Nellly!

For one thing, I didn't say they were unnecessary, but that they were unnecessary at this point (in time).

My counter-question would be to ask "What was the rush to procreate?"

The basic fear I have is that we (novas born unerupted in baseline society) and they (our offspring born-nova in a nova society) could not communicate clearly. We grew up dreaming of what we might be able to do, while they will grow up doing. I see this as a huge limitation ... for us. I don't feel we can yet do them justice in understanding what they are going through growing and growing up ...yet. The lack of understanding could be equally dangerous for both sides.

I am as much afraid of us (1st Gens) developing a fear of the 2nd Generation, as of them harboring any ill will for us.

Now, on to the really important part of what you have said!

You know of 2nd Generation children?!?!

Cool! Were, and can I talk to some of them?

[Menagerie]

While I'll be PM'ing you in a moment, I thought I'd merely put my public thoughts here:

Your inclusion of the word "yet" makes an important assertion towards your previous statements. Thank you, that's assures us quite a bit.

I would use our own natures as momentum behind "the rush to procreate"...there is something innate in our bodies that pushes us to "breed" as it were. While a higher mind can suppress such inclinations, we feel that such suppression is unnecessary. Life will present and has presented one with what we need.

As for fearing our children and their potential for ill will, I would recommend either Wagner's Ring Cycle operas or the "Mutant Prosecution" story-arcs from Marvel's 1980's run. Depends on your cultural relativity as to which one is more accessible to you, but both seriously address the same thing on a visceral level.

[billy Horrorshow]

I'm going ignore the spooky kid thing. I don't know. I'm so not ready to pursue that option.

As far as my view on Taint:

Most people get what they deserve. Me? I got fangs and the ability to tan a bit too easily. Nothing major. Not to offend you seriously tainted people out there...but we end up getting whatever matches our "theme" as it were.

Smart guys get too smart or big heads...while the Mitoid boys end up getting bigger and bigger...or whatever. It's almost like one's taint is affected by how you live your life...or something.

Just my two crappy non-scientific cents/sense.

[Ghostwriter]

I've heard some rumours that there are novas who can subdue or alter others' aberrations about somewhere.

If so, I'd love to meet one. My mood swings can be a real bitch at times.

I think Taint is an outward manifestation of who and what we are. Gods and monsters lie under each nova's skin... It just depends on what we will become.

[Advocate]

There is an individual that can do what you describe. In a solitary confinement situation at the moment. Call me cynical but I feel that's unlikely to change in the near term. Rumors of another, less extreme personality, waft out of Mumbai India though I have no knowledge beyond that.

Of course if you were to find them, convince them to help you, you'd then depend on their abilities and judgment.

[Menagerie]

Quote:

Originally posted by Regan 'Saimhe' McLachlan:
I've heard some rumours that there are novas who can subdue or alter others' aberrations about somewhere.

If you can provide us with more information concerning this, I believe We may be able to assist you.

As for Taint being an outward manifestation of what we are....Somehow that rings very true to us.