Blastification: Difference between revisions
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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. | Diligent study and meditation has so far yielded only one firm conclusion about the nature of ''blast''; it hates the color purple. | ||
HILARIOUS. | |||
==Comparison to "Fire"== | ==Comparison to "Fire"== | ||
Revision as of 14:45, 18 February 2008
There's no such thing as Blastification, it's completely made up.
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.'
In 2004 it was observed that when two names for 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 whre a real word (Thunderbolt, Thunderclap, Thundercloud) would traditionally have been used. Fireblast had recently, mysteriously, replaced the word 'firepower,' highlighting the apparent pattern to these changes.
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 Shock... Shock... Shockblast!"
Converse example: When Hot Rod's trademark expired he was renamed 'Rodimus,' that character had another name pre-established as a natural alternative.
As Observed Phenomena
The 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.
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 selection pressures, not an outside force.
As Underlying force
The underlying force explanation of Blastification holds that 'blast' represents a fundamental truth that reveals itself only when there is a complete lack of intentionality to cloud human perception.
When Thunderbolt[1], Thunderclap[2] and Thundercloud[3] all fail, the Zen Archer meditates until achieving the 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.
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 presented only one part. However, this 17th century Zen haiku may provide a more useful parallax:
blast blast blasting blasts, blasty blassst.
Blast blast wicker rack blast.First Sparrow in the Rushes, Bashō
Diligent study and meditation has so far yielded only one firm conclusion about the nature of blast; it hates the color purple.
HILARIOUS.
Comparison to "Fire"
Regardless of the explanation, the word 'blast' does seem unusually prominent in Transformers.
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.'
| Blast | Fire |
|---|---|
|
|
| 16 Blasts | 14 Fires |
In fact the uncommon 'blast' not only matches the common 'fire,' but but actually slightly surpasses it.
Testability
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.
Footnotes
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