How are Humans so Primitive?

[Darth Zakryn]

How are Humans so Primitive?

This is something that's been bugging me for some time: How are humans so primitive compared to Andalites? I mean, sure, they have spaceships and ray guns, but aside from that. I mean, I've been looking at some documentaries talking about really impressive new technologies and really, they're not that far off from what we see in Animorphs. Also, you'd think the Andalites could develop technology we can but they can't if they're so advanced, like prosthetic arms. Sure, you could argue Andalites are warriors and proud of their wounds and that they can just morph, but remember A) Not all Andalites are warriors, B) Not all Andalites want to morph. Also, their constant use of the most highest form of technology with no lower tech is actually retarded, when you think about it. The most high tech solution isn't always the best: If you could develop a force field generator that would keep the sun from harming you at the beach, would that make it better than a simple umbrella? Sure, you could argue their scoops are primitive, but that's only ONE area.

Anyway, ideas?

[RYTX]

I'm no techie, so I'll be both limited in wrong in what I'm about to say (It would help to know what "impressive new technologies ... not that far off from what we see in Animorphs" you're talking about) but I think in the realm of sci-fi modern humanity is still inefficient if nothing else.

Car if great to get you to and from work, but combustion engines still are only what 50, 70% efficient for turning gas into transport-I think I'm being generous with that
CFL's: enough light to see by, but at about a tenth of their potential is even capable of being used.
From the sound of it the Andalites made the most of what they had. Presumably whatever engine the use is a bit more high tech than the combustion rocket Elfangor laughs at.

And then there's the things we lack: light speed travel, rapid manipulation and expression of genes.  True we've made remarkable and rapid strides in a lot of scientific areas, but come on, there's so much we simply can't do, stuff it's implied the Andalites can

Finally, in my head, distribution is key.
The whole planet is able to put in an opinion with that Electorate-net-thing.
I think somewhere Ax mentioned using nuclear power in toys
Maybe not everyone is a master of physics and xenobiology and such, but it seems like the whole population has a solid foundation.

A bunch of people on earth can't read.

You compare this with a planetary society that is interconnected and harmonious and insightful to the nature of the universe, it probably does seem lacking from that higher perspective

Prosthetics bring up a good point, but at that point I say how often do they need them.
The tail's have left them save from predators for millions of years-the war has only been a few decades: how often does someone lose an arm in daily task.
Or, maybe they are used in the general population, but we don't see them dealing with what you stand: proud warriors.

The issue you have to address is when is primitive as or more efficient? War: most the time no. Intergalatic travel: No.
Medicine: Rarely
House: Apparently for andalites it's fine.

[Darth Zakryn]

Electorate-net? When was that ever mentioned? And it is obvious that Ax was just being typically arrogant when talking about "nuclear bombs" being in toys. Don't be so literal. It was just an example to show how primitive humans are, not to be taken as actual fact. If Andalites really DID use nuclear power in toys, that just raises entirely new questions. 1) What purpose would that serve when something of smaller tech would suffice? 2) Why would they do that? Nuclear energy is highly toxic and dangerous, even to Sufficiently Advanced Aliens like the Andalites, and if used wrong it could potentially blow up or create a ****load of radiation, killing lots of people.

I guess the point I was trying to address is the Andalites' overall arrogance. They call us "primitive" when something more like "behind the times" or "centuries behind" would suffice. Primitive is something I equate with cavemen or any society before the 19th Century, and even then, they had devices that were not so primitive. I also tend to think that the series makes it look as if technology is set to go in just ONE direction, taking no other paths or directions. Andalites had nuclear bombs at one point, they had vast cities, probably cars, etc. It's also implied that if humans had the right type of technology, then they, too, could create morphing power exactly the same. Our technology in real life can do many things for one purpose, so that should true with other races. I also think that our technology should have been portrayed as different, with its own strengths and weaknesses, but they make ALL technology look uniform, either ahead or behind of the times. For example, in other series they have only one form of FTL travel, and sometimes I wonder if there should be several different ones, to show how different technology can get. Correct if I'm wrong, but this is how I think.

[RYTX]

The electorate net I referred to is from book 54 " Hey, Ax-man," I said brightly. "Is it true the Andalite home world is watching all this? Can I wave to them?"
They call it civilian net. My bad Point was the whole of the voting sect is on line

As for the nuclear bomb thing "<Fusion bomb?> I asked. Then I laughed. I knew I shouldn't, but you have to admit, it was funny. <A fusion explosive? That's what it was? I assumed it was a small proton-shift weapon, at least. Fusion is only
used in children's toys. You know, to make the little dolls speak and so on.>"
My mistake for not knowing nuclear physics. That doesn't sound like Andalite arrogance, it sounds like a fact. And the point that I was making with it is that they have a way, that we-at this point in time-do not, to use nuclear energy cleanly and easily.
That seems fair to call our use of nuclear energy, with it's dangers and being unable to use it at the lower levels, primitive by comparison. You're saying it's dangerous to advanced aliens, yet clearly in Aniverse it can be used safely as well.

The rest of what you've said: One it's a children's series. She didn't create an intricate universe that covers those details. It's meant to get the imagination flowing, not guide it over 10000 possibilities
Two primitive is a relative term. PS1 is primitive amongst today's gaming systems. Still only 15 yrs old.
Chariot is primitive to a car. You can't choose were anyone else uses that term.

These books are about human spirit, ingenuity and the terrors of war.
Saying humans are primitive over and over makes confronting these issues more interesting, that it is the race behind everyone else that overcomes all the other is exciting.
It's left to the fans to elaborate on just what extend that gap is

[Darth Zakryn]

Did they ever say they voted online? They said they have a civilian population, but did they ever say it was through the Electorate that they voted - ah, screw it, I've been up all night and all day and my brain is drowsy from a lack of sleep. Forget it.

You know what, I am going to create a new thread about the "nuclear-energy-in-toys?" thing, so we can take the debate there.

I can see your point about the word primitive. I guess it just bothered me immensely that the Andalites' arrogance never got confronted by any humans other than the main cast. I REALLY wanted to see humans defeat the Yeerks on their OWN, and sort of EARN their respect from the Andalites, but instead the Animorphs handed it to them on a silver platter. My own issue, which I shall henceforth not bring up on RAF again so I don't ruin the series for others.

Another thing is Animorphs seem to be based on Star Trek, and right now, my perceptions of Star Trek are a bit colored by the folks on Stardestroyer.net, which I am also a member of, so I guess I've been letting my bias for Star Trek drip over into Animorphs. My bad. It wasn't my intention.