Sorry but Cosmicism is implicit in the whole set up of ME - if you're now going to deny that the Reaper =/= Cthulian devil gods, then what's the point in listening to you?
iO9 writes a really good article on Mass Effect (IE, why it's the most important scifi franchise of our generation)
Débuté par
ItsFreakinJesus
, févr. 18 2012 08:33
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#127
Posté 20 février 2012 - 05:59
Kaiser Arian XVII
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Klijpope wrote...
Sorry but Cosmicism is implicit in the whole set up of ME - if you're now going to deny that the Reaper =/= Cthulian devil gods, then what's the point in listening to you?
They're the minor gods. Major gods designed the universe and are laughing or grieving over what their minions are doing, but they can't interfere in the Universe alpha. The prime God will punish the major gods for their bad resolution and work. The God should have made the universe itself, but gave the responsibility to his minions, not to create perfect world.
#128
Posté 20 février 2012 - 06:11
Dave of Canada
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The series about how humanity is amazing really does go far to show us that humanity isn't amazing.
#129
Posté 20 février 2012 - 06:40
royceclemens
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"Mass Effect is the first blockbuster franchise in the postmodern era to directly confront a godless, meaningless universe indifferent to humanity."
Um... Do you want to tell the author that ME2 was about the savior of mankind coming back from the dead to deliver us from evil with the help of twelve disciples? Or should I?
Um... Do you want to tell the author that ME2 was about the savior of mankind coming back from the dead to deliver us from evil with the help of twelve disciples? Or should I?
#130
Posté 20 février 2012 - 06:46
Itkovian
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I see two major flaws in this article, to be a little reductionist:
1- His main point seems to be based on how Mass Effect apparently pushes the insignificance of humanity on the galactic stage, but in fact the game does the very opposite.
Not only is humanity the fastest growing newcomer to the galaxy, but it has also become one of the four most influential civilizations in the galaxy in less than 40 years since obtaining FTL. Yes, humanity is seen as an "upstart", but that is because it has had such a huge impact on the galactic stage in a minuscule fraction of time it took other species to establish their authority.
Heck, Mass Effect 2 even specifies that humanity is special at a GENETIC LEVEL. See Mordin's mission, for example. And, naturally, the Collector's own interest in humanity.
In short, Mass Effect is built on the premise that humanity IS in fact special, despite being the new kids on the block. This invalidates much of the article.
2- As an aside, the author fails to even mention Babylon 5 in the list of science-fiction settings. This is ironic, since the very themes he erroneously claims are found in Mass Effect were very much central to Babylon 5 (cosmicism and humanity's apparent insignificance in the face of older civilizations - in this case the Old Ones).
While #1 rather explodes the article's premise, #2 puts his knowledge of the genre into question, in my opinion.
Itkovian
1- His main point seems to be based on how Mass Effect apparently pushes the insignificance of humanity on the galactic stage, but in fact the game does the very opposite.
Not only is humanity the fastest growing newcomer to the galaxy, but it has also become one of the four most influential civilizations in the galaxy in less than 40 years since obtaining FTL. Yes, humanity is seen as an "upstart", but that is because it has had such a huge impact on the galactic stage in a minuscule fraction of time it took other species to establish their authority.
Heck, Mass Effect 2 even specifies that humanity is special at a GENETIC LEVEL. See Mordin's mission, for example. And, naturally, the Collector's own interest in humanity.
In short, Mass Effect is built on the premise that humanity IS in fact special, despite being the new kids on the block. This invalidates much of the article.
2- As an aside, the author fails to even mention Babylon 5 in the list of science-fiction settings. This is ironic, since the very themes he erroneously claims are found in Mass Effect were very much central to Babylon 5 (cosmicism and humanity's apparent insignificance in the face of older civilizations - in this case the Old Ones).
While #1 rather explodes the article's premise, #2 puts his knowledge of the genre into question, in my opinion.
Itkovian
Modifié par Itkovian, 20 février 2012 - 06:48 .
#131
Posté 20 février 2012 - 07:23
Klijpope
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To be fair B5 might be a little before his time, and it doesn't get repeated like ST ad infinitum.
As for your first point, he does over egg the argument a little, but the point is that humanity begins the game not at the top table - like every other sf show (even in Farscape the Peacekeepers are boss), but have to bully, bribe, and push their way to it. And none of the other races really give a flying feck about humanity - many actively hate it. Doesn't help that many humans are shown to be total tools (ie: TIM). Even though it seems humans might be special in some way regarding the Reapers - the establishment disagrees. So even being on the Council does not mean humans aren't going to be treated like trash by the rest of the galaxy.
As for your first point, he does over egg the argument a little, but the point is that humanity begins the game not at the top table - like every other sf show (even in Farscape the Peacekeepers are boss), but have to bully, bribe, and push their way to it. And none of the other races really give a flying feck about humanity - many actively hate it. Doesn't help that many humans are shown to be total tools (ie: TIM). Even though it seems humans might be special in some way regarding the Reapers - the establishment disagrees. So even being on the Council does not mean humans aren't going to be treated like trash by the rest of the galaxy.
#132
Posté 24 février 2012 - 06:01
SNascimento
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Just saw it.
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Very cool read.
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Mass Effect is really an outstanding universe.
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Very cool read.
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Mass Effect is really an outstanding universe.
