Great example, problematic with trope description: Absurdly Sharp Blade

The latest strips of Gunnerkrigg Court have introduced a sword made from the tooth of Coyote, which has been used as a new page pic. The problem (and it's one that's been discussed at length) is whether or not it should be allowed since it's a magical blade. I could go either way...thoughts?

Unsure, it's either physically sharp or sharp by means of magic. Guess it depends what the source of the pic says makes it sharp. If it's both, then it becomes a little more of a buttered cat theory.

Just for shits and giggles, what image was there before given that one's kinda recent?

Gunnerkrigg Court has never really gone into detail about that particular weapon. All we know is that it's originally a tooth of Coyote, he refers to it as "The keenest blade you will ever find! Be careful with it, because it could cut the very earth!" and that it's stated and shown to be "sharp enough to cut a shadow from the floor." The comic isn't big on technobabble, but the indication seems to be that it's just really, REALLY sharp. While this is Coyote we're talking about, we've seen no reason to believe that the cutting ability is anything more than supernaturally enhanced sharpness.

edited 30th Nov '11 3:59:31 PM by KyleJacobs

I don't read Gunnerkrigg nor do I know who Coyote is but I do like me some backstory to fill in the gaps... I'd say if it's reckoned to be nothing more than magically sharp it's a pull because it doesn't pass by the trope's own definition of the blade qualities i.e. physically sharp.

But that's only if it'd be a lot less sharp if it wasn't mystically imbued and is otherwise sharp but not absurdly so. Nobody knows that so where does it leave you?

edited 30th Nov '11 4:10:24 PM by treelo

Personally, I think the image demonstrates the trope well enough that I don't CARE if it's technically not a valid example within the story. That image stands on its own and speaks quite clearly about the same thing the page is about.

Can't argue against that, I know images should reflect the trope and this one does to a point but if it's so contentious people can't agree on the in-universe status of it then pull it and find something else or simply make a two option yes/no crowner and call it that way.

No point making a whole new thread to hash it out when the better half of a 10 page one was about it already.

edited 30th Nov '11 4:28:17 PM by treelo

NEVERMIND, I'M KINDA DIM TODAY.

edited 30th Nov '11 4:32:46 PM by Katrika

The only thing in the image that could possibly indicate that the blade is magical is the bright red outline. The image does not show any magic, so I'd say it's fine.

Looks like a perfectly good example to me.

It counts. It's the blade that is sharp, as far as we know, so it's fine.

Here's something. You know how even though something being a good example doesn't necessarily make it a good image? It works in reverse. It doesn't really have to be an example to be a good image.

Also, here are a few things said by the person who brought up the issue:

So Magically sharp is alright.

edited 1st Dec '11 4:21:57 PM by SalFishFin

I really wish people would stop claiming nonexamples work as page images - wrong in context is still wrong.

It is, in fact, an example, though, after archive-binging that entire other thread. (Why do I foresee this issue dividing up along more or less the same lines as Death's scythe?)

Check the old thread, it already has been.

Whatever happened to the old one with a kitchen knife going through the cutting board and the counter?

Eddie deleted it without explanation six months or so ago. I'm guessing he decided the knife wasn't near visible enough. Anyway, the Gunnerkrigg Court image is much better, unless and until it's revealed to be Not An Example.

Here's the pic, for reference...I'm inclined to agree that it must've been pulled because everything else in the pic is more evident than the knife.

edited 1st Dec '11 7:56:52 PM by Willbyr

Should be on ImageLinks.Absurdly Sharp Blade though.

It's there. We have always been at war with Eurasia.

Oh I see... I actually remember having to stare at that one for a bit before I noticed the knife.

So from what I understand, the current picture is an actual example, but because its drawn with a red outline it looks magical and that weakens its effectiveness?

What about a scalpel?

edited 1st Dec '11 8:15:08 PM by StubbyPenguin

The blade is magical, the question was whether or not it was magical AND ridiculously sharp or magically ridiculously sharp; the latter would've necessitated a pull.

I'd say that Coyote seems practical enough to use magic to create the sharpness and perhaps maintain it, but have the sharpness itself be purely physical...but that'd be a lie. Dude is nuts. I guess we'll just have to wait and see if a pull is needed, yeah? It might never be explained, in which case we're good.

Oh... Well...

What about a scalpel? Other than some rare and very very small specialized cutting tools, scalpels have some of he sharpest blades on the planet.

The current picture is good for now. No need to replace it.