Ye Shall Be As Gods? - Class 4, Period 3

[last-mizrahi.livejournal.com]

Juli was leaning against the front of her desk, hands crossed neatly over her stomach, while she waited for her class to assemble. When they had, she began to speak. “This week,” she said, “marks the first of several weeks that we’ll be talking about human modification—-the practise of enabling humans to go past the limits of their genetic code by altering it significantly.”

“Just so we’re all clear on the terminology,” a faint smile, “we’ll be discussing the differences between various words that have all be applied to people who have been modified. Let’s start with one of the most obvious. ‘Mutant’. From a geneticists standpoint this is the most accurate—-a mutation is, very simply, deviation from the norm that springs from an alteration in your genes. ‘Special’ is another word used, quite often in fact. This is, possibly, a very blatant example of the human ego at work. That which is not the norm, must automatically be better—special. What assumptions, and difficulties, can you see arising from the usage of this word? How would it feel to be known as ‘not special’ as opposed to ‘special’?”

“The next two words are both highly similar and yet distinct, at the same time. ‘Different’ and ‘Other’. The devil is in the details, if you wish to notice such things. ‘Different’ implies that there is a norm that should be followed, while ‘Other’ can make it sound as if there are no connecting factors, or relations, between those that have been modified and those that have not.”

“In your own words, which word would you be most likely to consistently apply to other people? To yourself?” Juli shook her head very slightly, “I’ll remind you all that in this class there are no right or wrong answers. I am merely interested in what you are thinking.”

“After answering that, please pair off and discuss the various reasons why each word might be applied. What are the good sides to each of them? The downsides? What preconceptions occur to you when you hear each word?”

“Consider those questions as you discuss,” Juli said, “but also, simply use your own heads and think outside the box. There is no point in learning anything if you cannot think effectively with what you already know."

[Wait for the OCD is up! Have at it~!]

Comments

Sign In

[last-mizrahi.livejournal.com]

Thoughtfully!

Re: Sign In

[sound-loyalty.livejournal.com]

Yakushi Kabuto

During the Lecture

[last-mizrahi.livejournal.com]

Listen, chat, pass notes. Or, you know, ask Juli a question.

Re: During the Lecture

[bridge-carson.livejournal.com]

Bridge isn't really much with the chatting or passing notes. Instead he's listening quietly, absently fiddling with the strap on one of his gloves.

Re: During the Lecture

[sound-loyalty.livejournal.com]

Kabuto was taking copious amounts of notes, as he usually did. He might have been smirking just a little.

Re: During the Lecture

[death-of-hope.livejournal.com]

Anemone wasn't taking notes, since she felt she was satisfactorily informed regarding genetic manipulation, thank you. Instead, she was carefully watching the reactions of her classmates.

Re: During the Lecture

[multiplez]

Z pretty much stared at a blank page in her notebook the entire time.

Re: During the Lecture

[redintraining.livejournal.com]

As devastated as Sky was, he still came to class today. He could not deny that part of himself that told him to keep moving forward, no matter what... but sheer force of habit brought him there as much as willpower and wanting to do the right thing did. He thought he'd be OK, though.

And then, of course, this subject had to come up for today's discussion.

Sky's notebook and pencil were out, but he wasn't taking notes. He could barely pay attention, as muddled as his thoughts were. He realized he probably looked like hell, too, but he didn't really care.

Re: During the Lecture

[practicaldevice.livejournal.com]

Anathema was taking notes and chewing on the back of her pen thoughtfully as she did.

Re: During the Lecture

[time-flyer-5.livejournal.com]

Jen was listening, but her eyes were on her desk and she had her Time Force badge in her hands, turning it over and over.

Answer the Question

[last-mizrahi.livejournal.com]

In your own words, which word would you be most likely to consistently apply? And why?

Re: Answer the Question

[sound-loyalty.livejournal.com]

"No matter what term you decide to use in your own notes, they're all altered, aren't they? I doesn't matter what they're called." Kabuto had written a few more words in his notes, just to underscore that there were many different words that could be used.

Re: Answer the Question

[bridge-carson.livejournal.com]

"Mutant, I suppose," Bridge says, still fiddling with his gloves. "Different, too. I've heard both."

Re: Answer the Question

[death-of-hope.livejournal.com]

"It depends on the nature of the alteration," she said coolly. "Are we talking about those who started out as baseline human and were altered after birth, or someone born with a pre-existing mutation? There isn't one catch-all term."

"As for what word would apply to me, I think the most accurate term would be hybrid." Pulling her hair back, Anemone exposed the receptor on the side of her neck. "I'm a human-Coralian mix created through introducing Coralian DNA to this body and making other alterations through surgeries. It isn't the only thing I've been called, but it's one of the more technical terms."

Re: Answer the Question

[multiplez]

"I guess I'm a mutant," Z said listlessly, staring at her hands.

Re: Answer the Question

[redintraining.livejournal.com]

"Technically, I'd be a mutant," said Sky. "I've also been called different, though."

Re: Answer the Question

[practicaldevice.livejournal.com]

"Well...I'd have to say that I'm fairly normal. I guess different is the best word for me."

Re: Answer the Question

[twohalvesofaphd.livejournal.com]

"What's wrong with 'genetically modified human'?" Zack asked. "It's an accurate and fairly neutral term."

Let's all take a moment to be grateful he was planning spending most of his life in a lab environment, where pesky little things like human interaction where somewhat less important.

Re: Answer the Question

[time-flyer-5.livejournal.com]

"The norm, where I come from," Jen said tersely. "'Mutant,' with apologies to my fellow students, came to mean anyone whose genetic modifications went badly wrong."

Re: Answer the Question

[peter--parker.livejournal.com]

"Officially speaking, on my world people with unnaturally altered genetic states are classified as 'genetic mutations.' And those are generally completely illegal," Peter explained. "And then there's the mutants, who were born with their genetic differences. I think those terms lack a certain warmth, though, so I'm going to suggest a new name: Bob. It's short, it's catchy, and it sounds friendly."

Discuss!

[last-mizrahi.livejournal.com]

Pair off and discuss the terminology. Special. Different. Other. Mutant. What are the different implications inherent in each word? Pros? Cons?

Re: Discuss!

[sound-loyalty.livejournal.com]

"You missed the word 'freak'," Kabuto pointed out. He wasn't being antagonistic. Really. He was simply being helpful. "Another word people use to separate themselves and others, usually spawned by fear or arrogance."

Talk to the TA

[last-mizrahi.livejournal.com]

After he’s pinged in, naturally.

Re: Talk to the TA

[sound-loyalty.livejournal.com]

Kabuto was much, much more himself this week.

Talk to Juli

[last-mizrahi.livejournal.com]

Before and after class, she’s around.

Re: Talk to Juli

[redintraining.livejournal.com]

After class was over, Sky meekly approached Juli.

"I apologize for walking out earlier (http://community.livejournal.com/fandomhigh/1672230.html?thread=102538022#t102538022), Dr. Mizrahi," he mumbled. "I probably should not have come to class today, but I hate skipping, no matter what."

OOC

[last-mizrahi.livejournal.com]

If you're going to end the world... can you at least do it cleverly?

Re: OOC

[sound-loyalty.livejournal.com]

"Forgive me Father, for I have sinned...I have committed an original sin..."
"And how have you sinned, my son?"
"I....poked a badger with a spoon."
"That...that is an original sin! Drink five bloody marys and call me in the morning."