ysabetwordsmith (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2014-05-29 08:03 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2014-05-29 08:03 pm
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Nonhuman Superpowers?
We watched the new Godzilla movie today. (Good kaiju movie, excellent special effects and references to other movies, overblown emotional yanking in some places.) It got me thinking about the breadth of superpowers in Terramagne, the setting of my series Polychrome Heroics.
Are superpowers restricted to humans alone -- and if so, why -- or can other species have them also?
My thoughts include:
* Humans share a lot of DNA with other species, especially mammals. This leans toward innate powers appearing elsewhere.
* Radiation and some other factors are increasing the rate of mutation, and thus in this setting, the prevalence of superpowers. Look at the mutated sealife, for example. Environmental factors are likely to affect multiple species, not just one. Imagine visiting Chernobyl only to discover that one of the elk has Laser Eyes.
* Superpower manifestation based on the effect of extraordinary circumstances on human will is unlikely to occur in nonsentient species.
* Superpower manifestation based on higher powers is unlikely to occur in nonsentient species.
* A sperm whale's brain averages 7.8 kilograms. Imagine one with superpowers objecting to how humans treat the ocean.
* Some comics have really gotten into mutated, uplifted, or otherwise modified animals. This includes everything from natural mutation through accidental enhancement to mad science experiments. The results range from cringeworthy to awesome.
* Having something like telepathic trees mindwiping loggers, or superpowered mice in a house, would expand the number of stories that could be told without relying on a human supervillain. (We've HAD superpowered mice here; they are nerve-wracking to deal with.) While mad science could already provide such things, that implies very different plot structure than naturally occurring cases.
Discuss.
Are superpowers restricted to humans alone -- and if so, why -- or can other species have them also?
My thoughts include:
* Humans share a lot of DNA with other species, especially mammals. This leans toward innate powers appearing elsewhere.
* Radiation and some other factors are increasing the rate of mutation, and thus in this setting, the prevalence of superpowers. Look at the mutated sealife, for example. Environmental factors are likely to affect multiple species, not just one. Imagine visiting Chernobyl only to discover that one of the elk has Laser Eyes.
* Superpower manifestation based on the effect of extraordinary circumstances on human will is unlikely to occur in nonsentient species.
* Superpower manifestation based on higher powers is unlikely to occur in nonsentient species.
* A sperm whale's brain averages 7.8 kilograms. Imagine one with superpowers objecting to how humans treat the ocean.
* Some comics have really gotten into mutated, uplifted, or otherwise modified animals. This includes everything from natural mutation through accidental enhancement to mad science experiments. The results range from cringeworthy to awesome.
* Having something like telepathic trees mindwiping loggers, or superpowered mice in a house, would expand the number of stories that could be told without relying on a human supervillain. (We've HAD superpowered mice here; they are nerve-wracking to deal with.) While mad science could already provide such things, that implies very different plot structure than naturally occurring cases.
Discuss.
no subject
You must remember, animals can be very, very smart; but they have very limited priorities and think very differently from humans. Your dog knows exactly how to get the food off the counter when you aren't looking. Your cat knows exactly which objects to knock off your dresser to get you up in the morning (usually all of them). And your horse knows exactly which animals can be bullied without you caring... which some will do mercilessly, while others may protect them instead.
Yes...
I think the different priorities make for interesting stories when played right.
>> And your horse knows exactly which animals can be bullied without you caring... which some will do mercilessly, while others may protect them instead. <<
Horses are also very rank-conscious. Feed them in reverse order and they'll freak out.