Swimmer963 comments on Mundane Magic - Less Wrong

102 Post author: Eliezer_Yudkowsky 31 October 2008 04:00PM

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Comment author: Steven_Bukal 30 April 2011 03:44:59PM 16 points [-]

There is a small genre of sci-fi short stories in which humans turn out to be the scariest species in the galaxy due to our possession of apparently mundane abilities. For example:

  • Human muscles have the terrifying ability to become increasingly more massive and powerful when placed under a routine of extreme stress. Many humans systematically overload their muscles in this way. For fun.

  • Humans breathe oxygen, a component of starship fuel!

  • The brain of a human is protected by an armored skull so powerful that a human fighter is impervious to any simple attack to the brain and can even use its braincase as a weapon to bludgeon enemies.

  • Humans naturally produce dangerous hormones and stimulants such as epinephrine. In desperate situations these boost a human's abilities, allowing it to continue functioning even when severely wounded.

Comment author: Swimmer963 30 April 2011 09:55:42PM 0 points [-]

Does this genre have a name, or other googleable traits?

Or examples of stories in this genre? That would be helpful too.

Comment author: Cayenne 30 April 2011 10:54:37PM *  3 points [-]

Alan Dean Foster has written at least one full-length novel trilogy in this genre.

TVTropes has a trope 'Humans Are Bastards' which might overlap a bit.

This is pretty difficult to search for.

Edit - There's a link to the 'Humans Are Cthulhu' trope that may be a better fit.

Edit - please disregard this post

Comment author: David_Gerard 30 April 2011 11:21:04PM *  0 points [-]

Yeah, the description of "the ultimate power" is basically humans as Cthulhu.

Comment author: Document 01 May 2011 12:01:58AM 2 points [-]

Sci-fi forum thread: Humanity's most badass moments.