third psywave | written + action

[antlioncyclone]

[Mewtwo takes to the journals for his first real post to the network - he spends more time thinking over what needs to be said than actually writing. Placing words on a page for everyone to see is different than communicating directly to someone, and isn't something that Mewtwo quite understands the way most others seem to. Language isn't an

Comments

[Written]

[semper_cogitans]

[Depressed or not, draft or not, mild-hangover-effects-still-bugging-him or not, this was written by a non-human sapient. It had to be.

So it instantly gets Robert's attention. Even if the writing is strange - spastic, all over the place, with scattered markings through it - it's legible enough that he can understand it.]

Well. I am a homo sapiens myself - but I presume, from you asking this question, that you are not? [As an astrobiologist, this intrigues him muchly.]

... And what is a "Pokemon"?

[Action]

[semper_cogitans]

[There had to be some consistency between the categories chosen, but Robert couldn't think of any. They all seemed vastly different in terms of what they would describe. So he goes with the part that he can comprehend, which happens to be the question.]

A sapient is a being who is self-aware, capable of metacognition, and is usually capable of some form of communication and culture.

[Action]

[antlioncyclone]

[....hmmm]

Pokemon are not like humans. We think in our own way. But we have rules, and even the wild ones tell stories.

[Action]

[semper_cogitans]

To me, that makes you, and other Pokemon, sapient. Sapience does not mean thinking like humans, at least not to Terrans.

And your communication tells me that you have sapience, even if it is a kind that I do not recognize. [And for that, Robert respects Mewtwo greatly. A sapient mind is something to be treasured.]

[Action]

[antlioncyclone]

[....]

Most Pokemon do not command language in this way, or in any capacity that humans can understand.

[Action]

[semper_cogitans]

I have seen examples of language that are considerably different from what most would consider language - gestures, pulses of colour and light, scent markings and pheromones, radio waves, changing one's body temperature in localized regions and in specific patterns... Those all counted as languages, whether Terran scientists could understand their syntax or not at the time, because they communicated intent, and had structures and conventions. Though I am glad to say several advances have been made in those fields that have allowed us to understand...

But what counts is the ability to communicate intent on a level more complex than a reactionary stimulus. [Robert pauses here, and looks thoughtfully at Mewtwo.]

In other words, what you describe is still language to me.

[Action]

[antlioncyclone]

[....wow. For someone who doesn't know what Pokemon are, you seem to have experience with everything one would need to know to understand them.]

...I see.

[Action]

[semper_cogitans]

[Robert nods, smiling a bit. He's hoping that this concept hasn't alienated Mewtwo too much.]

At any rate, that is essentially what I wished to know...

... But with this knowledge, I think your input would be a wonderful addition to my report's data. An entire world of sapients, many of which with paranormal powers... Certainly that would be quite informative, and at the least it would give me more insight as to what sort of physics allow for magical or paranormal worlds.

[Action]

[antlioncyclone]

[It hasn't, really - just surprised him a bit, and gave Robert more of a tangible identity in Mewtwo's eyes. Heretofore you shall be "that guy who knows all the things".]

There are others in this village who are from the same world. But I cannot speak for them, or give you permission to study them.

[Action]

[semper_cogitans]

Is that so? [Surprise flits across Robert's expression.] I might do well to learn who they are, so I can speak to them as well.

You mentioned there being few Pokemon here, earlier - but few implies more than just yourself. I would be most fascinated to see the others if they would not be uncomfortable with the prospect - but yes, that would be something I would have to ask them. Certainly I cannot expect you to give consent for everybody else.

However, even that knowledge is very helpful to me.