Grand Cybertronian Taxonomy
- The Grand Cybertron Taxonomy is a Funtionistic classification tool from the IDW portion of the Generation 1 continuity family.
Under Functionism, all Cybertronian life can be classified in one great system, known as the Grand Cybertron Taxonomy, including the Transformers themselves. This classification determined the placement of Transformers on its hierarchy based on the user's altmode: those with common forms became the disposable class, who ranked low socially to the point in which they were seen as expendable. Those with rarer and more specialized forms, such as proton microscopes, however, were given more opportunities and rights then those with a simpler alternate mode, such as memory sticks.
Fiction
IDW Generation 1 continuity
One of the first challenges to the Grand Cybertron Taxonomy came from the noted philosopher, scholar and explorer Dominus Ambus, after forming a relationship with his memory stick Rewind. He developed a series of tests to prove that the so-called "disposable class" were as sentient as any other Cybertronians and used his influence to fight for disposables' rights. Before & After
Rung presented the Functionist Council with a unique problem—no-one, not even Rung himself, knew the purpose of his altmode. This threatened to undermine their entire philosophy and the Grand Cybertron Taxonomy itself, so the psychiatrist was subjected to repeated and rigorous tests and in the meantime, to "reassure" other Cybertronians, he was forced to wear a false wheel on his back. Eventually, even the Functionists found themselves stumped as to what Rung's purpose could be and so the problem was neatly sidestepped by creating a new entry in the Grand Cybertron Taxonomy specifically for Rung's altmode: they classified him as an "ornament". Little Victories
