[Corsair]

and so true! It seems in almost every game with aliens there are the rough-and-tough down-to-earth (you know what I mean) Terrans, the wise but egotistical and old/powerful but overly arrogant and prone to new mistakes race (Vasudans/Protoss) and the evil bugbeings who look incredibly wierd that only the very strange ones would love (Shivans/Zerg). Interesting stereotypes...for life here on earth as well I think.

As to biology, I have no knowledge of the topic whatsoever so I will not make a fool of myself here by trying to answer Steak's questions.

[mikhael]

Originally posted by Zeronet
But Shadows were insectiod. They just usually chose to make themselves mostly invisible.

Yes, they were, but as I recall, there was a reasonable story explanation for it. They chose the form for the same reason the Vorlons chose theirs: to inspire awe. Vorlons went for 'ooooh... shiny...' whilst the Shadows went for 'eeeeeuwwww... icky...'

Still, they were beings of light and beings of spidery darkness. Unforgiveable from anyone but a comic book writer.

[CP5670]

I started to read this topic, and had already started formulating a response in another window, but decided against it. No good, I think, can come from some of your questions Steak. Holy wars are founded on less controversial questions.

These aren't really that bad actually, but such fundamental questions should definitely not be ruled out for discussion just because they are controversial; in fact, that makes them all the more worth talking about. (as Stryke said, those who cannot engage in a rational discussion on such thing should either ignore the topic or be banned )

[Kamikaze]

Well to answer the actual issue (aliens and their stereotypes) I believe that the only real reason that game/movie developers develop these insect/lizard creatures is because humans have this limitation that makes them try to match everything with everything else that they know. So, if there is a fear for insects - a fear is generated for insectoid aliens and etc.

Additionally if true alien aliens were used they would be too incomprehensible and "strange" for us to really regard them in a very interested way. I mean, if you met a super-intelligent shade of blue, the only thing you could do is boggle and pop

[mikhael]

Originally posted by CP5670
such fundamental questions should definitely not be ruled out for discussion just because they are controversial

I agree. You discuss them all you want. I have no faith in most people's ability to discourse rationally on stuff that touches on evolution, and the fundamental nature of life. If someone wants to talk about it in a small group, sure. No problems. I'll just sit and watch everyone else--and comment about JMS's abilities as a writer.

[HotSnoJ]

3. Is it a valid distinction to separate plant and animal? No
11. Is a nervous system necessary for animal life? Yup. That's what makes 'em animals

I don't get what you're saying here?! You said that there is no VALID distinction between plant and animal. But then you said that having nervous system is necessary for animal life! But there is no distiction between the(as you said). That doesn't make sense!

Plants make their own food, Animals get their food from other animals or plants. And if there is no VALID distinction then how come we can tell the difference between a Rose and a Cat?

[an0n]

It may not be valid but it still happens. Think of #3 as idealistic and #11 as realistic then all the puzzley little pieces should fall into place.

The Venus fly trap is a plant but it's got like muscles and **** to snare flies with therefore any distinction would be subjective to personal views. And seen as it's classed as a plant and it doesn't have a nervous system then the second one is true. Tada.

[CP5670]

The VFT also has photosynthetic cells, though. The type of cells marks the difference between animals and plants in my opinion.

[an0n]

Posted by me:
.......therefore any distinction would be subjective to personal views.

[Zeronet]

Sorry but plants and animals differ at a cellular level. They have cell walls etc, we dont. Its not personal opinion, its scientific fact.

[an0n]

Obviously but the point is, where do you make the distinction. If you had a horse made entirely of plant cells, would it still be an animal?

[CP5670]

Technically, no. If it has the plant cells with photosynthetic capabilities, it is classified as a plant.

[an0n]

That's the point!

[Zeronet]

Originally posted by an0n
Obviously but the point is, where do you make the distinction. If you had a horse made entirely of plant cells, would it still be an animal?

You cant have a horse made of planet cells. The distinction is obvivous, plant cells have this and animal cells dont. Thus, something with animal cells, is a ANIMAL and something with plant cells, it a PLANT.

[CP5670]

That's the point!

uh, yeah...but isn't that defeating your own argument?

As Zeronet said, there are clear differences between animal and plant cells, which can be used to objectively differentiate between plants and animals.

[an0n]

Originally posted by CP5670
As Zeronet said, there are clear differences between animal and plant cells, which can be used to objectively differentiate between plants and animals.

Urgh. Screw it. You think what you wanna think and I'll think what I wanna think. Fair enough?

[HotSnoJ]

This is a bunch of CRAP!

Apparently we've gone relative.........AGAIN! Even relativity has a firm foundation. It says everthing is relative! That can't be relative. Pretty some we'll be discusing the meaning of "meaning" or "is". This stuff we're talking about can go back and forth, some will go to relativaity other will go to God or some other crap for a religion.

[an0n]

You do understand what we were arguing about don't you?

[Setekh]

Okay boys, cool it. I don't care if anyone's wrong or right, and neither should you; it's a discussion. Detach yourself from it, go grab a TANG, and then come back later, when we can all continue.

I actually intended this originally to be a big talk about varying types of society (both alien and human ones - they vary wildly in form and function and I wanted to show that)... but then the scale just kept getting smaller and smaller until I arrived at the depths of life itself. Really, even though the obvious elements of a race (humanity's especially) control the destiny of that race, we are shaped drastically by even our smallest characteristics. I just wanted to explore that, s'all.

[Styxx]

Originally posted by Setekh
go grab a TANG

Now, for the real question: where does TANG fit in on all this?