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Shadows, Vorlons and the Minbari
Claudia Trent
Trainee
in Babylon 5
I've noticed that even after the Shadow War, Delenn seemed to regard the Shadows with dread. And yet, she doesn't seem to view the Vorlons in the same light, which is ironic considering the Vorlons turned out to be as bad as the Shadows (in their own way, of course).
Comments
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Concerning Delenn's apparent bias, I think it's because she, and the masses, can identify with the Vorlon's strategy*. It is based on the morality of the lowliest wretch, the underline principle being everyone should prosper. The Shadows' strategy was based on opposite principles akin to the morality of the Knights and Kings of the Middle Ages or the Hindu caste system, i.e. people deserve what they get. It translates into today where we adopt the prior and elite adopt the latter. She, like us, probably prefer it because we know what it's like to be close to bottom and reckon if we move up it's possible we or our kids fall down.
*the best way to guide the younger races.
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[This message has been edited by Faylorn (edited 11-21-2001).]
...another interpretation of the two strategies, however, equates them a little less with good vs. evil. Perhaps a better comparison is freedom vs. security...
The [b]Shadows[/b] spoke of (paraphrase): 'Encouaging evolution and advancement through competition and strife.' they also spoke of the sad and regretable (but necessary) side effect being the harm and sacrifice of some is necessary for the advancement of others.
"There can be no advancement without conflict, competition, and change."
The Vorlon strategy was one of static law and conformity. Faylorn compares the [b]Shadows[/b] strategy to the caste systems, yet I would like to (respectfully, with a nod to Faylorn) offer another comparison, only this time with the Vorlon approach. The easiest way to peace and stability is if every member of a civilization (whether it is one species on one planet, or many species on many planets making up a collective civilization) knows his or her place and never deviates from it. Although this is peaceful and lawful, it is also stagnant & rigid. Where does the visionary, excentric, or deviant fit within such a scheme? "Don't want to be a taylor like your father and his father before him? Too bad." "So, you want to be an explorer. Too bad your role [i]has been chosen[/i] (by others) to be guardian of this shrine."
So, why would the [b]Shadows[/b] become involved with PsiCorps? That's easy. To turn the Vorlon weapon against the Vorlons. Remember who cultivated the telepath gene...
Who best served the role of watching over the younger races? The Vorlons with their telepath breeding and permanent "advisors" stationed with the Minbari leaders, or the [b]Shadows[/b] who quietly sleep; only awakening every millenium (when disturbed by others) to have a look and "mix things up" a little bit (perhaps only in response to the active stifling/dampening of natural strife by the Vorlons...).
Also, which strategy is better served by a ruling-class of mind reading telepaths? A society of freedom, diversity, privacy, and discovery or one of absolute control, rigid roles, and conformity (and, admitedly, peace & safety). Not only would you be stuck in predefined roles or economic/social tiers, but even [i]dreaming[/i] of doing something else (or having thoughts and ideas not approved by the state) would be detectable and punishable. This is the Vorlon vision, not the [b]Shadows'[/b]
Of course we, like Sheridan, choose neither. We reject forced strife just as we reject stagnant rigidity.
Given only those two choices, however, I would side with the [b]Shadows[/b]. Freedom will always be my preferance to prison, no matter how guilded the cage may be.
-- john [img]http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/shad.gif[/img]
[This message has been edited by John Walker (edited 11-21-2001).]
Is "casted" a word?
Cast cast cast. Well, I dunno...
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[i]Beware of he who would deny you access to information, for in his heart he dreams himself your master.[/i] --> www.zmag.org
a man a fish, he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish and he eats for a life time. But teach a man to BE a fish, and he can eat himself."
--Dennis Miller, Dennis Miller Live
[b]I've noticed that even after the Shadow War, Delenn seemed to regard the Shadows with dread. And yet, she doesn't seem to view the Vorlons in the same light, which is ironic considering the Vorlons turned out to be as bad as the Shadows (in their own way, of course).
[/b][/quote]
Minbari and Shadows and Vorlons? OH MY!
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..And so it Begins
[b] Minbari and Shadows and Vorlons? OH MY!
[/b][/quote]
Someone should make a poster with that on it. [img]http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/smile.gif[/img]
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"Give a man a fish, he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish and he eats for a life time. But teach a man to BE a fish, and he can eat himself."
--Dennis Miller, Dennis Miller Live