ALL SCI-FI

Pow · Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2023 10:19 pm Post subject:

In The Outer Limits classic episode "The Man Who Was Never Born," from October 28, 1963, we see the mutated human being Andro (Martin Landau) able to mask his grotesque appearance by using a form of hypnosis. It worked well enough as a plot device. Certainly far better than having humanoid aliens like Maya on Space: 1999 able to change form and mass as well in the blink of an eye.

mach7 · Quantum Engineer Joined: 23 Apr 2015 Posts: 345

Thanks Bud.

That seems the most logical explanation to me.

I have started rewatching DS-9 and one of the early episodes
has Odo changing into a rat. Yah, no. As posted where does the extra mass go?

I suppose we could say it goes into an interdimensional rift,
But thats weak, sloppy writing.

tmlindsey · Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2023 9:36 am Post subject:

The thing is, if it's all an illusion and the shape-shifter isn't actually changing mass, all of those scenes where they sneak out of prison by changing into a mouse and scurrying between the bars or go through a crack to spy on someone while being the size of a bug are all lost.

Which is 99% of why shape-shifters are there to begin with.

Changing into something of equal mass makes a lot more sense, but that can be done by disguise, like Mission Impossible or by illusion as you say. But then those would take more thought and better writing than just having a "shape/size-shifter".

So, for me, it still comes down to lazy writing. Like how the sonic screwdriver went (in classic DW) from a simple tool, then a multi-function tool, to a nearly unlimited magic wand in the revived DW series; lazy writing.
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Bud Brewster · Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2023 12:41 pm Post subject:

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Tim, that's a great analysis of the problems this concept presents! If a human-sized person can't actually "shape shift" into a smaller form, he can't use his reduced size to his advantage.

I get it! Good thinking. Very Happy

Okay, what about this? Suppose a physically smaller life form was capable of hypnotically projecting a false image of itself to appear as a larger life form?

In other words, a mouse makes everyone think he's a man!

But wait! How can the mouse/man manipulate objects the way a real man could, and convince the people around them that he was real?

Hmmm . . . okay, so what if the mouse-size creature is both telekinetic and hypnotic? It can manipulate objects around its hypnotically induced "man-sized" image.

Therefore, all the mouse/man's physical movements are enhanced by the telekinetic manipulations of its physical environment.

What do you think, guys? Cool

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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)