Technomage

Steven Lake · 06-28-2010, 07:46 PM

TechnoMage -
1) Someone who uses technology so highly advanced that it's indistinguishable from magic.
2) Someone who uses technology as a form of magic.

This is both an intriguing and unique word used to identify a rather unique and interesting character type. One of the more prominent uses was seen on the TV series Babylon 5. However, the phrase predates Babylon 5. Anyone know what the first usage of the term was?

jaxx6166 · 06-28-2010, 11:59 PM

I'd have to guess someone in the eighties like William Gibson or any of the shadowrun designers. I thought you were going to discuss the class of character for a moment instead of discuss etymology. I think that's a more fun topic..

Typing on iPad sucks by the way

Steven Lake · 06-29-2010, 02:06 AM

Sure, feel free to discuss anything you like about them.

Solitaire1 · 06-30-2010, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steven Lake

TechnoMage -
1) Someone who uses technology so highly advanced that it's indistinguishable from magic.
2) Someone who uses technology as a form of magic.

This is both an intriguing and unique word used to identify a rather unique and interesting character type. One of the more prominent uses was seen on the TV series Babylon 5. However, the phrase predates Babylon 5. Anyone know what the first usage of the term was?

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaxx6166

I'd have to guess someone in the eighties like William Gibson or any of the shadowrun designers. I thought you were going to discuss the class of character for a moment instead of discuss etymology. I think that's a more fun topic..

Typing on iPad sucks by the way

I don't know if the term technomage was applied to the character, but the Flash villain Abra Kadabra (per Wikipedia he first appeared in 1962) definitely fits the description. He comes from the 64th Century where science is so advanced that it appears to be magic. The following is a link to his Wikipedia page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abra_Kadabra_%28comics%29

Steven Lyle Jordan · 07-01-2010, 09:36 AM

The Marvel villian Mysterio would probably fit that bill. In fact, that definition would fit most modern magicians.

Steven Lake · 08-01-2010, 08:41 AM

Here's an interesting aside to this topic. I was watching the trailer for Thor, and one of the things he brings up is how Science and Technology are one in the same where he comes from. So basically everyone there with special powers would be a technomage. Just a little thought. ^_^

Greenkeeper · 08-02-2010, 01:09 PM

The Rifts RPG, published in 1990, has a techno wizard class. This class could cast spells but was also capable of combining technology and magic to create items, such as a six-shooter that shoots fireballs instead of bullets or nightvision goggles that could also see ghosts and other invisible entities. These items had to be recharged by a magic user but anyone could use them.

Also, the game Final Fantasy 6 had magitek, which was the process of allowing non-gifted individuals the ability to use magic. This was done either through the use of machinery that could cast certain spells or by directly infusing the person with the ability. This game was release in 1994, the same year that Babylon 5 premiered, so the concept of combining magic and technology was certainly around before the show, just in different ways.

neilmarr · 08-03-2010, 03:54 AM

Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. Arthur C. Clarke, Steve. Cheers. Neil

Steven Lake · 08-03-2010, 10:24 AM

neilmarr, that's one of my favorite quotes.

nyrath · 08-03-2010, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilmarr

Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. Arthur C. Clarke, Steve. Cheers. Neil

Larry Niven: "any sufficiently advanced magic is indistinguishable from technology"

Gehm's Corollary to Clarke's Third Law: "Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced".

Andy Finkel: "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from a rigged demo"

Freeshadow · 08-03-2010, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Any technology distinguishable from magic...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_smoke

seems we passed this point already didn't we?

Steven Lake · 08-03-2010, 08:46 PM

lol. I've dealt with my fair share of magic smoke in the past. It's never a fun experience.

06-28-2010, 07:46 PM	#1
Steven Lake Sci-Fi Author Posts: 1,158 Karma: 14743509 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Michigan Device: PC (Calibre)	Technomage TechnoMage - 1) Someone who uses technology so highly advanced that it's indistinguishable from magic. 2) Someone who uses technology as a form of magic. This is both an intriguing and unique word used to identify a rather unique and interesting character type. One of the more prominent uses was seen on the TV series Babylon 5. However, the phrase predates Babylon 5. Anyone know what the first usage of the term was?

06-28-2010, 11:59 PM	#2
jaxx6166 Wizard Posts: 1,222 Karma: 769316 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Eternal summer Device: 350, iPad, PW	I'd have to guess someone in the eighties like William Gibson or any of the shadowrun designers. I thought you were going to discuss the class of character for a moment instead of discuss etymology. I think that's a more fun topic.. Typing on iPad sucks by the way

06-29-2010, 02:06 AM	#3
Steven Lake Sci-Fi Author Posts: 1,158 Karma: 14743509 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Michigan Device: PC (Calibre)	Sure, feel free to discuss anything you like about them.

07-01-2010, 09:36 AM	#5
Steven Lyle Jordan Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,478 Karma: 5171130 Join Date: Jan 2006 Device: none	The Marvel villian Mysterio would probably fit that bill. In fact, that definition would fit most modern magicians.

08-01-2010, 08:41 AM	#6
Steven Lake Sci-Fi Author Posts: 1,158 Karma: 14743509 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Michigan Device: PC (Calibre)	Here's an interesting aside to this topic. I was watching the trailer for Thor, and one of the things he brings up is how Science and Technology are one in the same where he comes from. So basically everyone there with special powers would be a technomage. Just a little thought. ^_^

08-02-2010, 01:09 PM	#7
Greenkeeper Connoisseur Posts: 67 Karma: 520312 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Texas Device: Kindle	The Rifts RPG, published in 1990, has a techno wizard class. This class could cast spells but was also capable of combining technology and magic to create items, such as a six-shooter that shoots fireballs instead of bullets or nightvision goggles that could also see ghosts and other invisible entities. These items had to be recharged by a magic user but anyone could use them. Also, the game Final Fantasy 6 had magitek, which was the process of allowing non-gifted individuals the ability to use magic. This was done either through the use of machinery that could cast certain spells or by directly infusing the person with the ability. This game was release in 1994, the same year that Babylon 5 premiered, so the concept of combining magic and technology was certainly around before the show, just in different ways.

08-03-2010, 03:54 AM	#8
neilmarr neilmarr Posts: 7,215 Karma: 6000059 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Monaco-Menton, France Device: sony	Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. Arthur C. Clarke, Steve. Cheers. Neil

08-03-2010, 10:24 AM	#9
Steven Lake Sci-Fi Author Posts: 1,158 Karma: 14743509 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Michigan Device: PC (Calibre)	neilmarr, that's one of my favorite quotes.

08-03-2010, 08:46 PM	#12
Steven Lake Sci-Fi Author Posts: 1,158 Karma: 14743509 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Michigan Device: PC (Calibre)	lol. I've dealt with my fair share of magic smoke in the past. It's never a fun experience.

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