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| {{essay}}
| | '''Blastification''' is a somewhat arbitrary and sarcastic name, created by certain fans to describe the proliferation of the word "blast" in the [[Transformers brand]]. |
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| There's no such thing as '''Blastification''', it's completely made up.
| | In 2004, it was observed that when the original names for the [[Transformers: Energon (franchise)|Energon]] characters [[Skyfire (disambiguation)|Skyfire]] and [[Shockwave (disambiguation)|Shockwave]] proved [[Trademark|legally unavailable]], they both had the ends of their names replaced with the word "blast" ([[Skyblast (Energon)|Skyblast]] and [[Shockblast]]). In Shockblast's case, the word "shockwave" had an actual meaning, while the replacement, "shockblast", was essentially nonsense. The same would be true of 2006's [[Thunderblast (Decepticon)|Thunderblast]], where a nonsensical "blast" suffix had been substituted where a real word (Thunderbolt, Thunderclap, Thundercloud) would traditionally have been used. |
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| But if it ''did'' exist, Blastification would refer to the lowest-energy-state status of the word 'blast.' In a closed system entropy reaches a maximum when the system is at equilibrium. In Transformers entropy reaches a maximum when everything is called 'blast.'
| | Around the same time, [[Fireblast]] had mysteriously replaced the word "firepower" in the [[Tech Spec]] ratings, highlighting the apparent pattern to these changes.<ref>Hasbro [http://www.tfviews.com/news/main/hasbro-q-and-a/455 confirmed] that this was indeed because someone else trademarked "firepower".</ref> |
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| In 2004 it was observed that when two names for [[Energon (franchise)|Energon]] characters (Skyfire and Shockwave) proved [[Trademark|legally unavailable]], they both had the ends of their names replaced with the word 'blast' ([[Skyblast (Energon)|Skyblast]] and [[Shockblast (Energon)|Shockblast]].) In Shockblast's case, the word 'shockwave' had an actual meaning while the replacement, 'shockblast,' was essentially nonsense. The same would be true of 2006's [[Thunderblast (Decepticon)|Thunderblast]], where a nonsensical 'blast' suffix had been substituted whre a real word (Thunderbolt, Thunderclap, Thundercloud) would traditionally have been used. [[Fireblast|Fireblast]] had recently, mysteriously, replaced the word 'firepower,' highlighting the apparent pattern to these changes.
| | Furthermore, since realistic toy weapons are a big no-no in the United States these days, [[Hasbro]] officially referred to ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' [[Megatron (G1)/toys|Megatron's]] [[alternate mode]] not as a "gun", but as a "blaster". |
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| ''The theory of Blastification states;'' Absent any intention to the contrary, Transformers naturally tends to the word 'blast.' As a result 'blast' becomes the default form a Transformer name assumes if no better options are available.<br/> | | ''The Theory of Blastification states:'' Absent any intention to the contrary, Transformers naturally tends to the word "blast". As a result, "blast" becomes the default form a Transformer name assumes if no better options are available.<br/> |
| '''Example:''' "We wanted Shockwave, but it's unavailable. The name has to be similar so Shock... Shock... Shockblast!"<br/> | | '''Example:''' "We wanted Shockwave, but it's unavailable. The name has to be similar, so, Shockwave... Shock... something... Shockblast!" |
| '''Converse example:''' When [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod's]] trademark expired he was renamed 'Rodimus,' that character had another name pre-established as a natural alternative.
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| ==As Observed Phenomena==
| | Other examples of nonsensical names created through Blastification include: |
| The [[Wikipedia:Phenomenon|observed phenomenon]] explanation of Blastification holds that 'blast' is a common choice when the first Transformer name choice is blocked precisely ''because'' it is nonsense. 'Blast' is a context-neutral joining word— so while using _____blast to rename a Transformer cannot be said to be 'correct,' (because it is not the original name) it is also not 'incorrect' in that: 1) The resulting word is almost always nonsense, and thus carries no connotation that conflicts with the previously established character. 2) _____blast isn't 'really' a new name, but more of an acknowledgment that the old name is unavailable. Part of the old name remains, and Shockblast is considered a better choice than calling him Astroscope. 3) Nonsense words are easier to retain trademark on.
| | *[[Aquablast]] |
| | *[[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#BlastPunch|Blast Punch Optimus Primal]] |
| | *[[Sky Blast (Armada)|Sky Blast]] |
| | *[[Action Blast 1|Action Blast]] |
| | *[[Scorponok (G1)#Titans Return|Fusion-powered anti-gravity super fireblast]] |
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| Thus Blastification represents a compromise for fans. The resulting name is not ''correct'', but a blastified name is ''less incorrect'' than the alternatives. The phenomena exists, but it is a result of [[Wikipedia:selection pressures|selection pressures]], not an outside force.
| | Things that are not Blastification: |
| | *[[Blaster (disambiguation)|Blaster]] |
| | *[[Blast Off (disambiguation)|Blast Off]] |
| | *[[Blastwave Weapons Base]]/[[Blastwave]] (a {{w|blast wave}} is a real thing) |
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| ==As Underlying force==
| | Blastification represents a compromise toward fans; when the original (usually "[[The Transformers (franchise)|Generation 1]]") name is no longer available, it is Hasbro's attempt to at least get ''kinda'' close to it. It tends to produce trademark-worthy names because, as noted above, those names tend to be made-up non-words. |
| The [[Wikipedia:Ontology|underlying force]] explanation of Blastification holds that 'blast' represents a fundamental truth that reveals itself only when there is a complete lack of [[Wikipedia:intentionality|intentionality]] to cloud human perception.
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| When Thunderbolt<ref>Many claims</ref>, Thunderclap<ref>Costume roleplay toys</ref> and Thundercloud<ref>Stock racing</ref> all fail, the Zen [[Aaron Archer|Archer]] meditates until achieving the [[Wikipedia:Mushin|mushin]] no-mind state where he will cease to be conscious of the problem of a name and instead becomes aware of the ''absence'' of a name. Rather than an adversary or obstacle this absence-thing becomes a mere hole in an ocean of possibilities, and into that hole... flows ''blast''.
| | ==References== |
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| The meaning behind 'blast' and its connection to Transformers is much-discussed, but because blastification's mushin no-mind provides only a limited view onto the problem, adherents are in a position of trying to understand the whole when [[Wikipedia:Blind Men and an Elephant|presented only one part]]. However, this 17th century Zen haiku may provide a more useful parallax:
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| {{quote|Blast cherry blossoms<br/>blast blast blasting blasts, blasty blassst.<br/>Blast blast wicker rack blast.|<u>First Sparrow in the Rushes</u>|Bashō}}
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| <!-- Note: This needs revision. It does not follow the 5-7-5 haiku pattern, so someone shoud figure out how to re-write it so it does. -->
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| Diligent study and meditation has so far yielded only one firm conclusion about the nature of ''blast''; it hates the color purple.
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| ==Comparison to "Fire"== | |
| Regardless of the explanation, the word 'blast' does seem unusually prominent in Transformers.
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| Below is a comparison of 'blast' to 'fire.' As fire is a much more common word, and one of the four elements, one would expect it to be used much more frequently than the essentially meaningless 'blast.'
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| {| class="wikitable"
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| !Blast!!Fire
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| *Blast Off
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| *Blast Master
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| *Blastcharge (x2)
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| *Blaster/Broadblast
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| *Aquablast
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| *Blast Punch Optimus Primal
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| *Shockblast (x2)
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| *Sky Blast (x4)
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| *Soundblaster
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| *Thunderblast (x2)
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| *Artfire
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| *Fire Chief
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| *Firebot (x3)
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| *Firecracker
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| *Fireflight
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| *Fireshot
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| *Jetfire (x2)
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| *Misfire
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| *Roadfire
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| *Skyfire
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| *Turbofire
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| |-
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| !16 Blasts!! 14 Fires
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| |}
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| In fact the uncommon 'blast' not only matches the common 'fire,' but but actually slightly surpasses it.
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| ==Testability==
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| Blastification is a true scientific hypothesis, in that it it makes testable predictions. By proposing the lowest energy state nature of the syllable ''blast'' and its relationship to ''fire'', it predicts that the final form of Transformers in the universe will be the epic struggle between two robots named Fireblast and Blastfire. As such, it is in conflict with the [[Principle of 1984]], which predicts that the lowest energy state of Transformers has already come in the conflict in the [[United States of America]] between [[Optimus Prime]] with [[Bumblebee]] and [[Megatron]] with [[Starscream]].
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| ==Footnotes==
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| <references/> | | <references/> |
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| [[Category: Fandom]] | | [[Category:Fan terminology]] |
| [[Category: Things that don't exist]]
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| '''Bold text'''<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>
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Blastification is a somewhat arbitrary and sarcastic name, created by certain fans to describe the proliferation of the word "blast" in the Transformers brand.
In 2004, it was observed that when the original names for the Energon characters Skyfire and Shockwave proved legally unavailable, they both had the ends of their names replaced with the word "blast" (Skyblast and Shockblast). In Shockblast's case, the word "shockwave" had an actual meaning, while the replacement, "shockblast", was essentially nonsense. The same would be true of 2006's Thunderblast, where a nonsensical "blast" suffix had been substituted where a real word (Thunderbolt, Thunderclap, Thundercloud) would traditionally have been used.
Around the same time, Fireblast had mysteriously replaced the word "firepower" in the Tech Spec ratings, highlighting the apparent pattern to these changes.[1]
Furthermore, since realistic toy weapons are a big no-no in the United States these days, Hasbro officially referred to Classics Megatron's alternate mode not as a "gun", but as a "blaster".
The Theory of Blastification states: Absent any intention to the contrary, Transformers naturally tends to the word "blast". As a result, "blast" becomes the default form a Transformer name assumes if no better options are available.
Example: "We wanted Shockwave, but it's unavailable. The name has to be similar, so, Shockwave... Shock... something... Shockblast!"
Other examples of nonsensical names created through Blastification include:
Things that are not Blastification:
Blastification represents a compromise toward fans; when the original (usually "Generation 1") name is no longer available, it is Hasbro's attempt to at least get kinda close to it. It tends to produce trademark-worthy names because, as noted above, those names tend to be made-up non-words.
- ↑ Hasbro confirmed that this was indeed because someone else trademarked "firepower".
