What's so terrible about Centrum anyway? - Page 3

sir_pudding · 11-04-2005, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squeblish Nef?

Final mission had them trying to spread the virus from 28 Days Later to Homeline-controlled parallels.

Have you seen the Gotha hell-worlds? IMO, a much better version of the Zombie virus. I especially like the fact that the infected adopt whatever their local idea of "crazed blood-thirsty inhuman reavers" as a culture.

CKayote · 11-04-2005, 01:15 PM

I've always considered the best non-"they're the other guys and we're good" line of reasoning is that the Centrum is mysterious. Homeline doesn't know alot about them, and they know alot about us. They're parachronic technology seems to be better and their actions across the multiverse seem to be incomprehensilbe to Infinity. People fear what they don't understand, and what we fear is always 'bad'.

CKayote@gmail.com

ScottEllsworth · 11-05-2005, 07:20 PM

My group is pretty much starting to worry that they are on the wrong side. Homeline is:
Elitist - outtimers are 'just echoes'
Chaotic - Infinity does not even know where all the conveyers _are_
Scientifically behind - Centrum can detect transpositions _anywhere_ they can reach.)

They are currently hunting an unattached Centrum agent, and he is impressing the heck out of them. Unlike ISWAT teams, that seem to be composed of individuals, the Centrum group works together, follows orders, and rarely gets distracted.

The upcoming 'Eden Revolution' is going to really bum them out.

Scott

DryaUnda · 11-05-2005, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottEllsworth

My group is pretty much starting to worry that they are on the wrong side. Homeline is[...][s]cientifically behind[.]

Which is ironic when considering that Centrum disdains rapid scientific progress, which is considered to society. I have to wonder why a culture of hyper-rationalists would consider a batter understanding of the material world disruptive.

Out of curiosity, what is the composition of ISWAT in your game?

Amy · 11-05-2005, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DryaUnda

Which is ironic when considering that Centrum disdains rapid scientific progress, which is considered to society. I have to wonder why a culture of hyper-rationalists would consider a batter understanding of the material world disruptive.

Out of curiosity, what is the composition of ISWAT in your game?

Because the answers might conflict with thier preconceved notions ;)

Phil Masters · 11-06-2005, 03:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DryaUnda

Which is ironic when considering that Centrum disdains rapid scientific progress, which is considered to society. I have to wonder why a culture of hyper-rationalists would consider a batter understanding of the material world disruptive.

Centrum has a significant head start on scientific development, though they've also had one big setback along the way.

And my impression is that they don't have any problem with purely abstract scientific development - yes, more knowledge always good. It's just that they're fully aware that technological progress can disrupt society quite spectacularly if it isn't watched. And they think that their society is pretty good as it is. Having a perhaps implausibly efficient system of central planning, they can keep it tidily under control.

Kuroshima · 11-06-2005, 04:00 AM

[puts asbestos shirt on]

I know this is going to create kilometer high flames (or not, and I would be pleasantrly surprised), but here's my theory on why Centrum is "evil":

Centrum seems inspired in (Stalinist) communism. Yeah, with a much saner leadership than in the real world, but it has many telltales of it's origin (everything is centralized, with standarized salaries and positions, going against the official doctrine can net you problems,...) and we all know the general opinion on communism in the US

Ragabash Moon · 11-06-2005, 04:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by copeab

Where "threat" is defined as "interfere with our monopoly in dimensional travel."

Coventry is *not* a shining star in Homeline's favor, either.

True, but one must note the simple fact that dimensional travel is dangerous. As far as Homeline goes, "the cat is out of the bag" and the bag is shredded beyond repair. Homeline doesn't want anyone else to get parachronics only because of the "Infinite Worlds, Infinite Wealth" mantra. That is a reason, sure... But the most important reason to keep others from learning about parachronics is much more simple. There are things worse than Reich-5 out there. What if someone were to just willy-nilly go to a Gotha parallel, then just willy-nilly head home. If you don't know why that would be a problem, then that further explains my point. The average person has no idea what a 'Gotha" parallel is or why it would be VERY BAD to go there. Keeping parachronics out of the hands of other worlds is very much for their protection as well as that of Homeline. Pretty much every Homeliner that has been to a Gotha parallel . they don't outright say it, but I'm thinkin' they probably executed them all and incinerated the bodies. That would be about the only way to totally prevent Homeline from becoming a Gotha world.

EDIT: As for Coventry, it's not ALL bad. They do have a nice setup there. It's not a "prison" like most people think. Yes, you can't leave. Therefore it is a prison. But, they don't just throw you in a prison cell and lock you up. They set you up with a new life on Coventry.

Pg B540 says, "The population also includes some voluntary settlers, rescued from crosstime disasters"

To me, this implies what I said above. There is probably a city or at least small town for people to live in, making it not really all that bad.

Ragabash Moon · 11-06-2005, 04:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kuroshima

[puts asbestos shirt on]

I know this is going to create kilometer high flames (or not, and I would be pleasantrly surprised), but here's my theory on why Centrum is "evil":

Centrum seems inspired in (Stalinist) communism. Yeah, with a much saner leadership than in the real world, but it has many telltales of it's origin (everything is centralized, with standarized salaries and positions, going against the official doctrine can net you problems,...) and we all know the general opinion on communism in the US

Hmm... yes... I must say... your argument has merit,I can definitely see the communist ideals to some extent in Centrum...

Now...

*Rips off your asbestos suit and barbecues you anyway*

Qoltar · 11-06-2005, 04:52 AM

Because "Centrum" is a bunch of oppressive Collectivist snots!! - thats why?? !!???

And also what some other person said - they are just too darn close to Stailinist-style opression.

Homeline may be more "chaotic" ...but that isn't BAD ..its a healthier 'diversity"...then forcing diversity on someone.
.. In general any culture that suppresses individual rights and weirdness tends to be "bad".

- E.W. Charlton
...looking for a nice Condo on Coventry....AND putting on MY Asbestos suit in case of flaming....

11-04-2005, 01:15 PM	#22
CKayote Join Date: Nov 2005	Re: What's so terrible about Centrum anyway? I've always considered the best non-"they're the other guys and we're good" line of reasoning is that the Centrum is mysterious. Homeline doesn't know alot about them, and they know alot about us. They're parachronic technology seems to be better and their actions across the multiverse seem to be incomprehensilbe to Infinity. People fear what they don't understand, and what we fear is always 'bad'. CKayote@gmail.com Last edited by CKayote; 11-04-2005 at 01:21 PM. Reason: typo

11-05-2005, 07:20 PM	#23
ScottEllsworth Join Date: Feb 2005	Re: What's so terrible about Centrum anyway? My group is pretty much starting to worry that they are on the wrong side. Homeline is: Elitist - outtimers are 'just echoes' Chaotic - Infinity does not even know where all the conveyers _are_ Scientifically behind - Centrum can detect transpositions _anywhere_ they can reach.) They are currently hunting an unattached Centrum agent, and he is impressing the heck out of them. Unlike ISWAT teams, that seem to be composed of individuals, the Centrum group works together, follows orders, and rarely gets distracted. The upcoming 'Eden Revolution' is going to really bum them out. Scott

11-06-2005, 04:00 AM	#27
Kuroshima MIB Pyramid Contributor Mad Spaniard Rules Lawyer Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: The ASS of the world, mainly Valencia, Spain (Europe)	Re: What's so terrible about Centrum anyway? [puts asbestos shirt on] I know this is going to create kilometer high flames (or not, and I would be pleasantrly surprised), but here's my theory on why Centrum is "evil": Centrum seems inspired in (Stalinist) communism. Yeah, with a much saner leadership than in the real world, but it has many telltales of it's origin (everything is centralized, with standarized salaries and positions, going against the official doctrine can net you problems,...) and we all know the general opinion on communism in the US __________________ Antoni Ten MIB3119 My GURPs character sheet My stuff on e23

11-06-2005, 04:52 AM	#30
Qoltar Pike's Pique Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio U.S.A.	Re: What's so terrible about Centrum anyway? Because "Centrum" is a bunch of oppressive Collectivist snots!! - thats why?? !!??? And also what some other person said - they are just too darn close to Stailinist-style opression. Homeline may be more "chaotic" ...but that isn't BAD ..its a healthier 'diversity"...then forcing diversity on someone. .. In general any culture that suppresses individual rights and weirdness tends to be "bad". - E.W. Charlton ...looking for a nice Condo on Coventry....AND putting on MY Asbestos suit in case of flaming....