Opening and clocking.
"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
Planeswalker
It's weird, the four points that the trope is defined by don't mention Body Horror and a later line flat out says Body Horror is optional, but the very first line of the trope implies Body Horror.
Most of the examples do look Body Horror related though, this just looks like a case where we need to clean up the ZCEs and misuse.
Oissu!
So the description simply needs rewriting a bit, right?
We don't need justice when we can forgive. We don't need tolerance when we can love.
Maybe a rename?
When I think of the title I see an incomprehensible power that is not for mortal minds to comprehend and you can lose your mind seeing or using it.
A Body Horror Superpower would be something completely different.
edited 13th Mar '17 12:52:28 PM by Memers
I'm afraid it's a bit more complicated. There are, undboubtedly, examples that lean more towards eldritch cosmic horror side and there are those that are pure Nighmare Fuel Body Horror with wrongness heavily downplayed. A few technically fulfill Body Horror part, but even it is downplayed. And worst of it, there is not sharp borders there, but gradual transitions.
edited 14th Mar '17 11:07:37 AM by permeakra
So we have 2 tropes in one here?
We don't need justice when we can forgive. We don't need tolerance when we can love.
It would be a lot easier if we had two clearly separate tropes. Here we have a spectrum.
- You look funny
- Ick!
- This is biologically, geometrically and logically impossible. Also, its gross.
- My eyes are bleeding
- Instant Mind Rape from seeing it
- Instant Mind Rape from knowing about it
edited 14th Mar '17 11:13:00 AM by permeakra
![[up]](https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/smiles/arrow_up.png "[up]"){kind=icon}
No, it's either "powers that involve Body Horror" or "powers beyond mortal comprehension" (the latter include warping reality itself and the like)
This distinction is irrelevant for the trope. There is, after all, plenty of examples of powers that are definitely beyond mortal comprehension, but are not horror-themed. Reality-warping powers of Haruhi do not count as example for this trope. And within horror itself you have shit like Lovecraftian Outer Gods and rather mild cases like The Ring. The page currently shove all horror-themed superpowers together within examples, but provides descriptions inconsistent with it.
I think the easiest way would be to redefine it as 'superpower that may be even good, but definitely disturbing if not horrific to look at' and describe possible suboptions (truly lovecraftian, simply ick! and some in between). We perfectly can consider splitting it at a later date if the number of examples would justify it.
edited 15th Mar '17 7:47:31 AM by permeakra
How sweet it is
Reclocking.
she/her | TRS needs your help! | Contributor of Trope Report
"horrifying superpower" sounds good for a start.
Seems like no progress so closing.
"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
Last I remembered, this trope was about Body Horror superpowers. The laconic version and most of the examples still appear to adhere to this description. However, the article itself seems to suggest that the definition is "scary superpowers that violate reality."
Is it supposed to be that way?
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