Immortality

[fester30]

Some of those things I don't know about, but I'm pretty sure the sword not dulling has something to do with rolling between 13 and 20 on a 20-sided die.

[Byronazriel]

Anderson's baldes are incribed, and blessed. Basically god did it.

[Asmodean]

Anderson's baldes are incribed, and blessed. Basically god did it.

You see, that there is an example of a bad explanation. Not the worst one out there - inscribing something with magic is supposed to have some effect, but still bad.

[Byronazriel]

He's also a geetically altered super soldier.

[Asmodean]

He's also a geetically altered super soldier.

...Better. (I say better because I assume it is somewhere explained who he was altered by, how* and for what purpose)

*Not demanding a scientific explanation of the process. A cool-looking biotank with tubes and hoses and scientists and whatnots would be answer enough for that.

EDIT: Grammar fail corrected

[Byronazriel]

http://hellsing.wikia.com/wiki/Alexander_Anderson

[Asmodean]

http://hellsing.wikia.com/wiki/Alexander_Anderson

Very thin in places, but I must admit this appears far better thought through than most within the genre.

[terranus]

It's odd to assume that we would somehow achieve immortality and not solve many of the problems you bring up.

Hmm...yes I guess now that I think more about it, our immortality would have to include being able to solve the problems of limited natural resources, or else it wouldn't really be true immortality, would it?

In that case, I'm afraid I am forced to assume that we will not reach true immortality.

[LegendarySandwich]

It's odd to assume that we would somehow achieve immortality and not solve many of the problems you bring up.

Hmm...yes I guess now that I think more about it, our immortality would have to include being able to solve the problems of limited natural resources, or else it wouldn't really be true immortality, would it?

In that case, I'm afraid I am forced to assume that we will not reach true immortality.

What I'm saying is that by the time we have the technology to be able to make ourselves immortal, it's probable that problems concerning natural resources and overpopulation would already be solved, at least partially. Maybe not, but I think it's at least likely. I guess I'm just a humanist -- I have "faith" that we will eventually solve most or all of our ills.

[LegendarySandwich]

Of course, I can. You can not make do with just realism in fantasy or sci-fi, of course, but what you CAN do, is attempt to properly explain how the unrealistic things work. For instance, where does magic come from? Why does a particular sword not dull? What does the phase of the moon have to do with werewolves? How does one limit the length of a light sword with no hard components beyond the hilt? How does one keep the plasma projectiles hot in space over great distances? You don't have to explain everything, but just claiming "superior technology" or "magical powers" does not get you far in the eyes of this reader and watcher    

You see, it's not so much about earthly realism as about making a fantasy character, object or event believable within its respective world and makinbg that world make logical sense within itself and seen from our world.

As an example, Wheel of Time series is a very good attempt at that.

Agreed. I think that too often writers make the assumption that just because they're writing a science fiction or fantasy story, that means logic can go out the door.

[Byronazriel]

I refute your points, both of them!

[terranus]

What I'm saying is that by the time we have the technology to be able to make ourselves immortal, it's probable that problems concerning natural resources and overpopulation would already be solved, at least partially. Maybe not, but I think it's at least likely. I guess I'm just a humanist -- I have "faith" that we will eventually solve most or all of our ills.

I understand exactly what you're saying. I just don't think we'll ever reach the point where we have said technology available. I think the problems of overpopulation and dwindling resources will become too overwhelming too quickly for science to ever advance that far. Guess I'm just a pessimist.

[xSilverPhinx]

Being a cicada is not so bad, by then they'd probably have the technology to let you watch tv and surf the web.

You could also be put into a robot body. With chainsaws for arms and lightsabers for fingers. Giant arcs of electricity would be your hair, and you'd eat delicious metals for dinner and your poop would be akin to modern art.

Urgh...the things they call art.

[Asmodean]

Urgh...the things they call art.

QFT.  :eek: "

Then again... I suppose  :verysad:

[MariaEvri]

http://paulgisbrecht.blogspot.com/p/black-square.html

I remember seeing this is art history class, and my thoughts, summed up were
w-t-f!