Spinning Plates: Three Months Without [SIREN]

[Rayne Campbell]

SPINNING PLATES: THREE MONTHS WITHOUT ABILITIES

Where were you when Specials lost their powers? If you're not a Special, did you notice anything different at all? If you are a Special, how long did it take you to realize what had happened? It took me a long time, as my ability is one that is fairly unnoticeable unless I'm using it. There are others, I know, who would have grasped the change right away. Some of my nieces and nephews have those life-tied abilities. You know the sort; they literally cannot live without their abilities. One niece that comes to mind uses her ability for everything, even eating. I was not with her when it happened, but I'm sure she noticed right away.

How about the next day? Did you think it would be a twenty-four-hour thing, some new experiment by Ark or the like? Or did you fear your powers lost forever? Left to be nothing but a dream? Or were you one of the few who did not care either way at all?

I was traveling when it happened, and to be completely honest, it made no difference to me. Yet I heard people complaining left and right, in as many languages as you can imagine. I even heard a "civilian" complain on the plane. She had a friend who could teleport, it seemed. Now that he no longer could do that, she had to pay for a plane ticket like anyone else.

That got me wondering. Perhaps there's an upside to this thing, this "power outage." Those of us who aren't dying without our abilities - the vast majority of Specials - can learn to live without them. I lived most of my life as a civilian, as my ability did not manifest until two or three years ago, but there are some who are born with them. Perhaps having to live as a civilian does will remind them - and the civilians - that being a Special does not necessarily make one special. We are living together in the same world here, facing many of the same challenges. We are not our genes.

This blog may meet with some disagreement, but that's fine. It's only my opinion, after all. Just the opinion of a small, fairly insignificant writer somewhere in the world. Likewise, if you comment, I'd appreciate it if you'd keep from attacking each other. This is a venue for discussion and debate, not hatred and flaming.

So, then, what are your thoughts on what happened? Are you glad it's over? Or is the world better off without abilities?

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Comment Below

[Nireva Hale]

<< Well done! You found the hidden thing! Have a crikit! >>


Am I glad it's over? Very.

Although you said we aren't our genes, you're only correct to a certain extent. The people for whom their abilities withhold a sort of "genetic dependency" would simply not exist without them.

Without my own abilities, for instance, I spent much of the past three months in a coma on the verge of dying from over half a dozen debilitating/terminal illnesses. Not even I knew if I would pull through and live to wake up again. As much as dying in one's sleep can be preferable, one would also prefer not to die at all.

But, on other points, it's hard for anyone to disagree with you. Regular people were spared this harrowing ordeal, while the specials proved to everyone that they're just as mortal, being brought low by... whatever the hell this was.

Unfortunately, I can't give much more of a personal opinion than this. Though the cashiers at the Wal-Mart on Crenshaw will get the shock of their lives the next time my girlfriend and I come to do our shopping. That will be fun to see.

- Niri.

[Alice Taylor]

First off, I would like to point out I have spun plates before like in the picture. My record is thirteen. R.I.P, 13 plates.

I wasn't completely aware of when my powers were lost. I didn't depend on it to live, and I don't use it on a daily basis. I was busy with filming, and didn't realize what had happened until I started reading about it on the internet. Lots of conspiracy theories on why it happened, let me tell you! None had any solid proof though, and I do not wish to join in on the theories.

As some of you may know, I fly around the country to help Specials in need on my filming breaks. Lots of Specials emailed me saying they're very happy that their powers were gone, because our world will no longer be so divided. Some commented it's a step backwards in evolution, and they were very upset that they no longer had powers. Still, like the OP stated, there were those that needed their powers to sustain life, and my heart is with those that went through this ordeal. Unfortunately, I am limited in what I can do to aid them. I was about to shut down my charity website when the powers returned.

As for how it affected me, I was actually happy that my power was gone, at least for a little while. My life would not have been so complicated if I was a civilian. No more fear of the Specials, and I hoped I would be taken seriously as an actress just like any other, instead of being introduced in media with my name followed by what I can do with my mind.

I was still getting threats from Specials haters, and the harassment had actually increased since my power was gone. I won't go into detail of what kind of harassment, but it got me thinking... maybe my powers were what kept those that despise me and my kind at bay. It really makes me sad that this animosity wouldn't disappear even if powers were gone. Maybe it was just because I am a public figure that openly argued against the Act. Perhaps for others, it was much better.

My powers do not define me, and being Special doesn't make me special. However, my powers are a part of me, and they did shape who I have become. In retrospect, I am glad I have my powers back. They are a part of me, and people will simply need to accept that.

Now, this might be news to some, but according to Specials in contact with my website, some had their powers returned stronger than before. Did anyone else experience this? I am interested in what may have caused this.

~ Alice Taylor

[Helena Rahal]

Am I glad that this outage is over? I honestly can't say, some of the violence and hatred just because Specials existed disappeared, while others intensified. It's like Alice said, perhaps it was those powers that was keeping the crazy ones from actually trying to do anything to those of us who had the next step in the evolution gene. For all those who thought that a world without specials would be a more fair or equal one got a rude awakening then with this so called outage.

But then my wife, her mother, and at least one of her daughters could have died had this outage kept on as it did. I know of others who lost their vision or other senses because their powers had become entwined with them. It's those people who I feel for the most, what makes me glad beyond belief that our powers have returned even if I seldom use my own.

And so help me if this is some other project from Ark or those like them. Who are they that they think they can play at being a God? If any Specials died because of their lack of powers, then their blood is on their hands, much like the April 4th event and the use of their power negators in the riots following the registration law. Such reckless use of power and technology, if it is indeed the case, is such an irresponsible and atrocious act, that they should face the same repercussions that their actions brought to others.

~ AceofHistory