Monday December 17, 2012 at 10:30 am by Rojas
Contest is now over! Thanks to everyone who weighed in on the debate between Magic vs. Science.
A Certain Magical Index releases next week, and we've got a fun little experiment for you. If given the choice, would you pick Magic or Science?
The world of "A Certain Magical Index" combines modern science and technology with ancient spells and sorcery. Our hero, Toma, lives in Academy City, a place with technological advancements twenty to thirty years beyond the rest of the world, and whose student residents wield scientifically-honed superhuman abilities. Title character, Index, is a nun of Necessarius, a secretive sect of the Church of England, and her mind contains 103,000 ancient magical texts that are the basis for some of the most powerful and forbidden sorcery in existence. Together with a cast of espers and sorcerers with amazing powers, Toma and Index have plenty of adventures at the intersection of magic and science.
Magic versus science, fantasy versus science fiction. Which side do you prefer? Based on your response, you could win a great prize pack of magic- or science-related anime!
Vote for the side you're on, and if your side wins, you'll be entered to win a prize pack. There will be three rounds, each with a new duo of prizes, on Monday (12/10), Wednesday (12/12) and Friday (12/14). Feel free to tell us why you chose science or magic and we may feature your answer on our blog! Also, tweet your reason with the hashtag #magicVSscience on Twitter, and we'll retweet some of the most interesting ones on our account @FUNimation!
Just click this link to get voting! Click here for complete contest rules.
Round 3 results:
Magic 63%
Science 37%
Lucky winner: Ricardo G. (Auburn, WA)
So there you have it. Fans have overwhelming decided they would prefer Magic in the battle of Magic vs. Science.
Here are some parting words from both parties:
Pro Magic:
"Whereas Science is something tangible, something that can be explained, Magic is a bit harder than that. Magic is something special, something extraordinary, that not only cannot be explained, but just doesn't need to be. Everyone needs something to believe in, some hope to carry them forward. Sure, science is cold, hard facts, but haven't you always wanted to fly as a kid? To see through walls? To do any number of super-powered things some of your favorite heroes did? That is the basis of magic. It gives hope to the normal people, to those not dedicated to the pursuit of what they can only see in front of them. Close your eyes and believe in something new. That is the power of magic." -Lara H
"I chose the Magic side for one reason and one reason only. The Magic side deals with belief which is a matter of the heart whereas the Science side deals with proof which is a matter of the mind. When one thinks about it logically the Magic side is ruled by emotions which are governed by the heart whereas the Science side rules with rationality which is governed by the mind. Me personally I would prefer to make mistakes because I followed my heart and did what I thought was right than do the logical thing and give up on my humanity." -Michael H
Pro Science:
"While some think that one is the power of gods or demons, and that the other is the power of human will and determination, I think that it's much simpler than all of this. There are all sorts of laws which govern the universe, and magic simply breaks them. But however much creative power it takes to imagine up something which can break the rules, it ALWAYS takes more ingenuity to create something which can have the exact same outcome while STILL following the rules. That ingenuity is what science is." -Jonathan P.
"Science makes the impossible possible what seems illogical completely logical. Science is what advances humanity and helps set us apart from wild animals. Without it we wouldn't be near as prosperous as we currently are." -Aaron M.
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Comments
Magic, because I believe if it were real, a lot more stuff could be done with it than with science.
Though I haven't seen Familiar of Zero, I'll try to understand what your trying to say. I see that if the world only revolved around magic, we would have a hierarchy that people won't have a choice of being born into. Science offers an alternative for the peasants, which would bypass the laws set by society, and let the peasants move up. What your saying, LoneAnarchian, is that this wouldn't be possible when magic is the only power available, is that correct?
If so, then consider the reverse where the world only revolved around science. (AKA our world) Laws were implemented in the past to suppress minority groups because of their "inferior genetics." They too were trapped in a vicious cycle of poverty with no clear way out, until individuals emerged that worked hard to change the system. Who's to say this can't happen in a magic based world? It's not magic to blame for discrimination, but the laws that man implement upon themselves. Taking responsibility is the first step for improvement.
By the way, I'm all for the Science side in this discussion LoneAnarchian. All I'm saying is that the negatives we point out in the Magic side doesn't just apply to them. Quite frankly, Magic and Science are just different sides of the same coin. Who's to say whether Math or Reading is better, when at its core both letters and numbers are just symbols to communicate ideas.
811337, consider the world of Familiar of Zero. In this world there is a two-class system of nobles who wield magic and peasants who don't. Furthermore, the system is completely exclusive, meaning that even the lowest level noble would outrank the highest level peasant. Since magic usually runs with a bloodline, a family would have no way of ever escaping the vicious cycle of poverty and low class unless there was some other way out, but science is that way out. This is what I mean when I say that science penetrates socioeconomic boundaries. The peasant could use science to become more productive and earn more money and alleviate his low class. He just as easily use it to build powerful weapons and overthrow the ruling powers. Neither is possible when magic is the only power available.
While it is true that scientists usually serve a higher institution, it is equally possible that an independent scientist emerge or an institution with good intentions exist. There is such a thing as good scientists and bad scientists, but there is only one flavor of science, neither good nor evil, and that is what puts it beyond magic because it is the only system of rules and laws that presents no bias within its own boundaries. Magic will discriminate and place some people above others for arbitrary reasons such as luck or bloodline.
Fun fact I learned in physics, Personal Reality is ACTUALLY a thing.
Maybe I'll get answer here.
"Entrants must be legal residents of one of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia" means Canadians can't win the contest?
I agree with LoneAnarchian in that "mysterious" isn't necessarily better; however, I disagree in that science penetrates all political and socioeconomic boundaries. Like religion/magic, it requires funding from a higher institution or establishment to get anywhere. The research done has to be useful and not undermine the institution, or there would be no reason for the institution's support. The difference is that we are fueled by our curiosity in science. In magic, we just accept it as it is.
Magic bases itself on not explaining itself. Claiming that it's better to not have an explanation is like saying you deserve a higher grade on an exam because you didn't answer any questions and were more "mysterious."
Magic cause it's swickety! The beauty of people believeing in miracles and not magic is awesome cause there like one and the same. Besides that the words people use daily to inspire or sadden others is just another way I view magic. I don't need faith to see my words putting a smile on someone else's face is magical.
Not to push anyone's buttons, but magic tests on lizards and frogs too. In other words, both sides create great evil to achieve great goals. But in the science side, at least humanity understands and can take responsibility for the evils that they create. Magic is a mysterious entity that few truly understand.
As long as Index is close by and on my side, it has to be magic!
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