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Date Posted: 16/12/02 23:40:45 GMT+10
Author: Goktimus Prime
Subject: Mini-Con origins
In reply to: SofaMan 's message, "Re: Transformers Armada Discrimination (ethical discussion)" on 16/12/02 5:38:40 GMT+10

You've raised an interesting point, SofaMan.

It is not clear as to how or why the Mini-Cons became a segregated faction, but what is clear is that they are a separate faction that seem to be of little concern to the other more dominant factions.

In either case, we can see forms of marginalisation and discrimination against the Mini-Cons. The Decepticons clearly view them with contempt and initially took steps to enslave them, and the other Transformers at best are just apathetic towards them. When the non-allied Transformers at Cyber City were attacked by Decepticons, the Autobots rushed to the rescue. When the Mini-Cons' villages were systematically attacked and their entire race enslaved by Decepticons, the Autobots didn't mobilise until it was too late. One could argue that the Autobots were not aware of the attacks and abductions until it was very late in the game, but the fact that the Autobots clearly had no prior interest in monitoring or defending the Mini-Cons illustrates that they did not hold Mini-Con welfare in high regard.

Now, Transformers is a story that is, ultimately, aimed at children. So what I ask is this: is this portrayal of marginalisation and discrimation justified? Is it a good or bad thing for kids to be exposed to this? Does it encourage or discourage prejudice in general?

Personally I think that the comic treats the issue well -- it shows the Mini-Cons as being a sentient and rational race of Transformers who were more or less peace-loving and soon became innocent victims of the war between the Autobots and Decepticons. As we all know, war creates many innocent victims. In our world, 80% of them are women and children. In the world of the Transformers, they are the Mini-Cons. As innocent victims of war, they are exploited and displaced, forced to flee their beloved homeland to seek asylum elsewhere. As a moral tale, we have the heroic and evil factions involved in the war. The Decepticons are evil as they are the source of the conflict. They are also the ones who have enslaved and displaced the Mini-Cons, much like certain warlords in places like Africa who displace people through their struggle for power. The heroic Autobots are the freedom fighters, struggling to push back the Decepticon horde. By #3 of Armada, we see that most of Cybertron has been conquered by the Decepticons and the Autobots have been forced underground as a resistance movement. Again, we have had examples of this in real life too, such as the Ishin rebellion who toppled the Tokugawa Dynasty, and the early stages of the American Civil War.

Consequently I think the comics serves as a reasonably good statement of certain political and moral issues, which is what all good scifi should do in order to force us to reflect upon our own humanity.

But what about the cartoon? Does it also deliver the same moral? The main difference with the cartoon include:

* Unlike the comic, it's not clear as to who really started the war nor who were the first to begin enslaving or exploiting the Mini-Cons. Optimus Prime argues that the Mini-Cons allied with the Autobots have done so willingly, but at the same time he admits that the Mini-Cons have been used as pawns -- so he clearly makes no pretense that the Autobots are ultimately exploiting the Mini-Cons. Not a very "heroic" notion.

* Just how rational are these Mini-Cons? They do display sentience and some level of reasoning capability... but at what level? They seem to have no real complex language -- merely the ability to express feelings and intentions through a series of bleeps. They haven't demonstrated autonomous social structures or civilisation, whereas the Mini-Cons of the DW comics had clearly established their own segregated society living in villages with their own form of architecture etc. They demonstrate high-level intelligence such as the Air Defence Team's base and rocket pack, as well as the construction of the "Armada" escape ship. Sure, the thing fell apart in orbit, but the fact that they were able to construct an interstellar ship in the first place clearly shows that they are fully rational agents with high mental functions. What about the cartoon Mini-Cons? As far as we know, they were all captured/collected by the Autobots and Decepticons and used as weapons of war -- much like how humans use various animals as beasts of war (e.g.: dogs, horses etc.). The question of the Mini-Cons' rationality is an important one, as that would establish the fundamental notion as to whether or not they are entitled to be treated as equals with other rational beings (e.g.: Autobots, Decepticons, humans etc.) or if they are merely very intelligent animals. After all, a well trained dog or horse can very easily convey emotions and intentions to its human master.
Until the cartoon Mini-Cons can demonstrate that they are fully rational agents, then one could argue that this discussion is not even relevant to the cartoon series.

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