IT'S ALIVE!

Started by Ayselipera January 7th, 2011 4:41 PM
  • 1117 views
  • 13 replies
In the world of Pokemon there seems to be three basic categories (that I have noticed) that Pokemon can fall into. Either animal based Pokemon, plant based Pokemon, or mechanical/robotic based Pokemon. Minus a few oddities here and there. To be even simpler you could say Pokemon is split into two categories. Those being Pokemon based upon living things and Pokemon based upon nonliving things. Although I'm mostly focusing on mechanical/robotic based Pokemon.

Animal based and plant based Pokemon seem to be the majority (especially animal based) and are closely based upon animals and plants in our world. We can ultimately assume that in the world of Pokemon animal and plant based Pokemon are most likely considered living. What about when it comes to that odd third group of Pokemon that fall under mechanical/robotic? Pokemon such as Voltorb, Magnemite, and Porygon can be and in the case of Porygon and somewhat of Voltorb are man-made. Are they then considered living like other Pokemon or are they some kind of advanced technology just on the edge of becoming living?

For those who like lists:
* Do you believe that mechanical/robotic Pokemon are indeed living things or just advanced technology? Do you have another theory you'd like to share?
* Do you personally prefer Pokemon that are based on mechanical/robotic things/nonliving things or Pokemon based on living things?
* What are some Pokemon that you consider to be either mechanical/robotic or nonliving?
* Would you support the creation of more mechanical/robotic or nonliving based Pokemon or would you prefer the steady continuation of Pokemon based on living things?
* Any other thoughts?

Esper

California
Seen June 30th, 2018
Posted June 30th, 2018
This is a great topic, not the least because I was watching some old black and white science fiction today where one character says something to the effect of "Be careful of that seaweed. It's alive!"

I think the ones not based on animals or plants are the most creative and most interesting so I lean toward those kinds. Magnemite's probably my favorite of the whole bunch, if I had to choose one, but I rather like a lot that aren't clearly designed on living things (Baltoy, a clay figure, Ranpuraa, a gas lamp, and so on). It would be a little disappointing if they only made new ones based on birds, cats, dogs, and fish since we have so many of those already.

I suppose I'd feel like they're all alive even if they were robots/mechanical, rocks or even ghosts (as much as that's something of a contradiction of terms). I mean, living robots? Sure. Why not?

PlatinumDude

Nyeh?

Age 29
Male
Canada
Seen July 31st, 2020
Posted May 30th, 2020
12,958 posts
12.7 Years
* Do you believe that mechanical/robotic Pokemon are indeed living things or just advanced technology? Do you have another theory you'd like to share?: Mechanical/robotic Pokemon could have evolved into their current state based on their environment. For Pokemon like Baltoy or Bronzor, they could have been old artifacts possessed by supernatural powers or for Pokemon like Grimer, Koffing or Yabukuron, trash could have been exposed to a mutagenic substance.
* Do you personally prefer Pokemon that are based on mechanical/robotic things/nonliving things or Pokemon based on living things?: I prefer both.
* What are some Pokemon that you consider to be either mechanical/robotic or nonliving?: The Regis, Baltoy/Claydol, Bronzor/Bronzong, Gobitto/Goruugu
* Would you support the creation of more mechanical/robotic or nonliving based Pokemon or would you prefer the steady continuation of Pokemon based on living things?: I'm indifferent.

Female
Seen January 27th, 2015
Posted January 27th, 2015
79 posts
12.4 Years
* Do you believe that mechanical/robotic Pokemon are indeed living things or just advanced technology? Do you have another theory you'd like to share? Some of them, like Gogorru, seem to actually have been created by humans as it says in the Pokedex, while others like Magnemite, seem to have been created by freak nature or something, like thunderbolts hitting magnets or whatever?
* Do you personally prefer Pokemon that are based on mechanical/robotic things/nonliving things or Pokemon based on living things? I like both, but most of my favorites are based on living things. However I still love a lot of the "inanimate object based" pokemon.
* What are some Pokemon that you consider to be either mechanical/robotic or nonliving? Magnemite line, Voltorb line, Unown(?), Metang line, Gear, Gogorru, most of the ones that are genderless and stuff. Versus just plain inanimate objects like the Ice Cream dude, trash bag, etc, though, it's different, the latter seem a lot more "lifelike" or whatever.
* Would you support the creation of more mechanical/robotic or nonliving based Pokemon or would you prefer the steady continuation of Pokemon based on living things? More robotic/mech is always nice if they keep it unique. I'd love a Grandfather clock ghost or a steel suit of armor.
* Any other thoughts?

Ineffable~

DAT SNARKITUDE

Age 29
Female
Any ol' place really
Seen September 2nd, 2012
Posted December 27th, 2011
2,738 posts
14.8 Years
"Be careful of that seaweed. It's alive!"




I think both of the types of Pokémon work together well. I mean exclusively animal Pokémon might be dull but if we went 100% mecha then we wouldn't end up with a lot of variety. It's also a fun idea to think of a noble lion fighting against the evil power of a powerful ice golem. :D

As for whether or not they're alive I have to agree with Scarf and PlatinumDude. Pokémon is just a different world so droids are probably considered more "living" than they are in the real world. Also a lot of them appear to be possessed by spirits like Baltoy and Bronzor. Shuppet for instance is based on those silly little cute paper Japanese ghosts that you might have made in Kindergarten out of a Tootsie Pop and a napkin. http://www.tokyomango.com/.a/6a00d8341c5d3253ef0133f5a2ebb3970b-800wi
(Kind of creepy when you give them eyebrows. D:)

Most of all it's hard to imagine them not being living if, like Porygon and Grimer, they can actually breed. So clearly Porygon is some creation of artificial life that somehow became real or maybe just has some sort of built-in reproduction programme (lol at that picture).
More robotic/mech is always nice if they keep it unique. I'd love a Grandfather clock ghost or a steel suit of armor.
This.

#077: Ponyta - The Fire Horse Pokémon
Fire ~ Field eggs
3'03" ~ 66.1lbs ~ 50/50

Its hooves are 10 times harder
than diamonds. It can trample
anything completely flat in moments.

Abilities: Run Away or Flash Fire or Flame Body
Moves: Growl, Flame Wheel, Stomp, Agility
Locations: Pokémon Mansion

Cry

Other names:

jp: ポニータ (Ponyta)
de: Ponita
fr: Ponyta
cn: 小火馬 (Xiǎohuǒmǎ)


Male
Seen July 16th, 2016
Posted August 5th, 2014
559 posts
13.2 Years
Well obviously they are alive. They do have the power to reproduce so one can only assume that they are alive, even though Porygon was created by man but somehow became living, as aforementioned by a previous poster. And I do prefer Pokemon based on living things.

Pokemon I wouldn't consider alive are as follows: Proygon line, don't consider it alive because it is man-made, all of the legendaries (excluding a few) they can't reproduce so scientifically they aren't living things, and those are pretty much the only ones.

Would I support the creation of these puesdo-living Pokemon? As Bukara would say: "I don't care."

Kenshin5

Wanderer

Male
Oklahoma
Seen September 18th, 2013
Posted March 25th, 2013
4,391 posts
14.8 Years
Do you believe that mechanical/robotic Pokemon are indeed living things or just advanced technology? Do you have another theory you'd like to share?
I believe they are a mixture of both. For instance pokemon that are organic are modified too machines like Genesect. Pokemon like Mewtwo are created by man, but also from genetic material from Mew, so Mewtwo is a man created creature and also a living being. Porgyon line has the same thing going for them as previously stated they are man made but can breed. Do you personally prefer Pokemon that are based on mechanical/robotic things/nonliving things or Pokemon based on living things?
I like both equally.What are some Pokemon that you consider to be either mechanical/robotic or nonliving?
Non Living maybe all Ghost pokemon? Although they can breed as well.Magnemite Line, Porygon Line, Beldum Line, Bronzor Line, Klink Line, Komatana Line. These lines also seem robotic to me.

Would you support the creation of more mechanical/robotic or nonliving based Pokemon or would you prefer the steady continuation of Pokemon based on living things?
I have no reason to be against it. Also long as the designs are well thought, look sharp, and have good moves, stats, and so on.

Brian - 0089 1621 6313 - White

King Gumball

Haven't been here for ages...

Male
Sydney
Seen April 8th, 2013
Posted April 8th, 2013
2,178 posts
12.8 Years
* Do you believe that mechanical/robotic Pokemon are indeed living things or just advanced technology? Do you have another theory you'd like to share?
They are living things that have just been made from different atoms and based are made from a different material, either to adapt to their environment or so they are able to easily use their typing of pokemon moves.

* Do you personally prefer Pokemon that are based on mechanical/robotic things/nonliving things or Pokemon based on living things?
living things as I like grass and water types most.

* What are some Pokemon that you consider to be either mechanical/robotic or nonliving?
All I consider living, but Geodude, Magnetmite Genosect, Porygon, Rotom etc. are some I consider mechanical.

* Would you support the creation of more mechanical/robotic or nonliving based Pokemon or would you prefer the steady continuation of Pokemon based on living things?
No I wouldn't. They got lucky with Porygon, but things like what happened with Mewtwo are risks that shouldn't be taken again.

* Any other thoughts?

N/a
Please Click:




DoctorFred

I am not amused. ಠ_ಠ

Age 27
Male
Why do you care? Are you a stalker?
Seen July 6th, 2012
Posted June 26th, 2012
280 posts
13.1 Years
* Do you believe that mechanical/robotic Pokemon are indeed living things or just advanced technology? Do you have another theory you'd like to share?
I believe they are living things.

* Do you personally prefer Pokemon that are based on mechanical/robotic things/nonliving things or Pokemon based on living things?
Altough some of my favorite pokemon are based on robots, some of my least favorites are based on robots. Overall, i prefer the ones based on animals.


* What are some Pokemon that you consider to be either mechanical/robotic or nonliving?
Magnemite Genosect, Porygon, Beldum are the ones that come to mind. I consider them robotic, but still living.


* Would you support the creation of more mechanical/robotic or nonliving based Pokemon or would you prefer the steady continuation of Pokemon based on living things?
Sure, as long as they don't screw them up. But seeing as how recently created robot pokemon look, i'm leaning towards no.


* Any other thoughts?
No.
White FC - 3654 2923 4630
Well obviously they are alive. They do have the power to reproduce so one can only assume that they are alive, even though Porygon was created by man but somehow became living, as aforementioned by a previous poster. And I do prefer Pokemon based on living things.
There are from what I know to be six – seven characteristics that classify something as living.

- Composed of cells
- Different levels of organization
- Use energy
- Grow
- Responds to environment
- Adapts to environment
- Reproduces

Porygon is made of all programming codes so that crosses off the possibility of it having cells. Organization has to do with the levels of cells within the living organism. Cells that turn into tissue or organs are an example. Since we already know Porygon is not composed of cells, organization also cancels out. Porygon must use some sort of energy to keep working, but it must be by some type of artificial energy. It has been seen eating in games like Pokemon Snap and Mystery Dungeon, but it has been made clear that Porygon does not have to eat to survive. Therefore does not need organic energy to survive. Now I'm in a bit of a toss up with growth. Porygon most likely does not grow, but it can evolve. When it comes to Porygon's evolutions you then have to consider is it “growing” by evolving or is it just upgrading like a phone for instance? Porygon doesn't really respond or adapt to its environment. It's programmed to live in any kind of environment so it doesn't have to adapt. The only characteristic that I am certain of is that it can reproduce.

So if living things in the Pokemon world are classified just like living things in our world then Porygon is not a living thing.

Most of all it's hard to imagine them not being living if, like Porygon and Grimer, they can actually breed. So clearly Porygon is some creation of artificial life that somehow became real or maybe just has some sort of built-in reproduction programme (lol at that picture).
If you look through its Pokedex entries it mentions that it can only do what it is programmed to do. So I have to agree with the being programmed to breed statement. Still it's an odd thought knowing that a robot is reproducing with "living things". xD

Ineffable~

DAT SNARKITUDE

Age 29
Female
Any ol' place really
Seen September 2nd, 2012
Posted December 27th, 2011
2,738 posts
14.8 Years
There are from what I know to be six – seven characteristics that classify something as living.

- Composed of cells
- Different levels of organization
- Use energy
- Grow
- Responds to environment
- Adapts to environment
- Reproduces

Porygon is made of all programming codes so that crosses off the possibility of it having cells. Organization has to do with the levels of cells within the living organism. Cells that turn into tissue or organs are an example. Since we already know Porygon is not composed of cells, organization also cancels out. Porygon must use some sort of energy to keep working, but it must be by some type of artificial energy. It has been seen eating in games like Pokemon Snap and Mystery Dungeon, but it has been made clear that Porygon does not have to eat to survive. Therefore does not need organic energy to survive. Now I'm in a bit of a toss up with growth. Porygon most likely does not grow, but it can evolve. When it comes to Porygon's evolutions you then have to consider is it “growing” by evolving or is it just upgrading like a phone for instance? Porygon doesn't really respond or adapt to its environment. It's programmed to live in any kind of environment so it doesn't have to adapt. The only characteristic that I am certain of is that it can reproduce.
Well as for being composed of cells I certainly wouldn't cross that part out. As it is, Pokémon technology is clearly more advanced than real world technology (storing lion-sized animals digitally in your computer or a tiny ball you can put in your napsack? wtf?) so it's really not that Farfetched (lulz :t083: ) that they could have artificially manipulated real cells into desired shapes, or even that Porygon could be a sort of cyborg.
As for consuming energy to survive, even if it's not actually taking energy from food it still is surviving from energy of some sort, probably from some sort of internally-produced perpetual energy or a product of its own actions. Regardless of how "natural" this energy is, it is still "using energy".

As for whether or not it grows, that's impossible to know. Since it evolves through trading, it's not clear whether after getting upgraded it actually has extra amendments to it or if it grows on its own at a rapid rate upon receiving the software. I'm going for the latter, but what do I know.
(For the record, I think Porygon's evolution isn't really anything like any other Pokémon evolutions. Most Pokémon evolutions are a type of metamorphosis whereas Porygon's is an upgrade.)

It may or may not actually be able to adapt. In fact the way they got it to be so "invincible" could very well be by forcing it to adapt to all conditions.

So if living things in the Pokemon world are classified just like living things in our world then Porygon is not a living thing.
Despite all the efforts I've made to argue its application to our real world classification of life, I truly don't think Pokémon classifies life in the same way we do, so there you go. xD

#077: Ponyta - The Fire Horse Pokémon
Fire ~ Field eggs
3'03" ~ 66.1lbs ~ 50/50

Its hooves are 10 times harder
than diamonds. It can trample
anything completely flat in moments.

Abilities: Run Away or Flash Fire or Flame Body
Moves: Growl, Flame Wheel, Stomp, Agility
Locations: Pokémon Mansion

Cry

Other names:

jp: ポニータ (Ponyta)
de: Ponita
fr: Ponyta
cn: 小火馬 (Xiǎohuǒmǎ)



Well as for being composed of cells I certainly wouldn't cross that part out. As it is, Pokémon technology is clearly more advanced than real world technology (storing lion-sized animals digitally in your computer or a tiny ball you can put in your napsack? wtf?) so it's really not that Farfetched (lulz :t083: ) that they could have artificially manipulated real cells into desired shapes, or even that Porygon could be a sort of cyborg.
As for consuming energy to survive, even if it's not actually taking energy from food it still is surviving from energy of some sort, probably from some sort of internally-produced perpetual energy or a product of its own actions. Regardless of how "natural" this energy is, it is still "using energy".

As for whether or not it grows, that's impossible to know. Since it evolves through trading, it's not clear whether after getting upgraded it actually has extra amendments to it or if it grows on its own at a rapid rate upon receiving the software. I'm going for the latter, but what do I know.
(For the record, I think Porygon's evolution isn't really anything like any other Pokémon evolutions. Most Pokémon evolutions are a type of metamorphosis whereas Porygon's is an upgrade.)

It may or may not actually be able to adapt. In fact the way they got it to be so "invincible" could very well be by forcing it to adapt to all conditions.


Despite all the efforts I've made to argue its application to our real world classification of life, I truly don't think Pokémon classifies life in the same way we do, so there you go. xD
"Porygon is made completely out of programming code." - Bulbapedia

If that information is correct then I don't think cells would be involved. If it's not then I would also say a combination of cells and technology, but I really just see it as a make up of very advanced technology without the use of cells.

I don't think using energy like batteries, electricity, or whatever Porygon "runs on" would be considered what a truly living organism would use. For instance a computer or phone uses electricity for energy, but I don't see how someone would then even consider those objects to fall under the energy characteristic. Maybe technically they do, but I wouldn't think so.

Let's say Porygon isn't made of cells at all. Then just programming it to be able to adapt in every kind of environment isn't exactly real adaptation. If it does have a combination of cells and technology like you mentioned then I would consider adaptation being possible for it.

xD I really don't believe so either. Hence why I slapped in the "if". We really don't know if life is considered the same in the Pokemon world as in our world. I'm just trying to bring out some thought provoking conversation.

Ineffable~

DAT SNARKITUDE

Age 29
Female
Any ol' place really
Seen September 2nd, 2012
Posted December 27th, 2011
2,738 posts
14.8 Years
xD I really don't believe so either. Hence why I slapped in the "if".
I think we can consider condition unfulfilled considering ghosts are solid in the Pokémon world. xD

#077: Ponyta - The Fire Horse Pokémon
Fire ~ Field eggs
3'03" ~ 66.1lbs ~ 50/50

Its hooves are 10 times harder
than diamonds. It can trample
anything completely flat in moments.

Abilities: Run Away or Flash Fire or Flame Body
Moves: Growl, Flame Wheel, Stomp, Agility
Locations: Pokémon Mansion

Cry

Other names:

jp: ポニータ (Ponyta)
de: Ponita
fr: Ponyta
cn: 小火馬 (Xiǎohuǒmǎ)



I think we can consider condition unfulfilled considering ghosts are solid in the Pokémon world. xD
Good Point. Though ghost Pokemon have always confused me for different reasons, but that's another subject for a another time. :) I'm just trying to find a base to compare mechanical/robotic Pokemon to. Since "living Pokemon" seem to appropriately fall under the characteristics we go by in our world I decided to compare it against the mechanical/robotic Pokemon. Although we seem to be mostly jabbing at Porygon. xD