Politics, Shambali, and the Schism between Zenyatta and Mondatta

lacertae-dreamscape:

gnomeicecream:

I would like to talk at you about how Zenyatta and Mondatta view politics, the spiritual, and Omnics! Ok, so, like, to start with you gotta tackle the idea of which omnics are people? The Numbani bots who got smashed by Doomfirst were not mourned like security guards killed in action, and Numbani is the pro-est Omnic society we have seen. But Orisa, made from those Omnics, is a people. Further, the other Bastions in our Bastion’s unit are implied not to be People type omnics by the way Torb was surprised at our Bastion exhibiting self. Therefor its somewhat safe to say that Not all Omnics are Created Equal. The political fallout from that Whew. Like. What are Omnic rights, anyway? How many hours can a tireless robot be made to work before being given a break? What are the housing laws for Omnics, and are they able to freely access libraries and art and religion? If Omnics can either suddenly gain self or be given self as in those two examples, when do you start treating them as Selves, People, and what barriers do people put in place to prevent their property from..uh, Actualising? I am going to guess there is a very healthy market for Omnic slavery in that grey.

Thinking of the hierarchy of needs for omnics, the only one they differ from humans in maybe the bottom (physical stuff like air, sex, food) but they do need shelter, rest, and things that make them go (electricity, oil, spare parts?). The safety need is financial, freedom from external threat, and health. Most people can easily overlook those needs for an omnic cause they are not fleshy, but anti omnic sentiment harshes this need. People could refuse to rent to omnics, or flat out seek their destruction as in Australia. Then you have social belonging and esteem. Omnics want to be part of groups! They have romantic partners and they join causes like the Shambali. Are omnics allowed to assemble? Are ‘no omnics served here’ signs legal? Are they common? Even if you don’t have a desire to go into a place, seeing that sign on the door is going to affect your feeling of safety and belonging.

Ok, so this is where Mondatta and Zenyatta split. All those things I have talked about before this, is ‘politics’. To exist as an Omnic is to have a political identity and engaging in those politics is required for an Omnics needs to be met. “Omnic’s do not need labor regulations” is a anti omnic political statement; if an omnic is never given time off, how are they make their way through the first levels of needs to hit those last ones, of self actualisation and self transcendence?

There is a practical side to seeing to the rights of sentient/thinking/aware beings, and the awakening to spiritualism is a part of that. That’s where you find Zenyatta and where Mondatta’s thinking is limited. The Shambali being hands off with ‘politics’ leaves some omnics struggling to fend for themselves.

In conclusion, Zenyatta has “The personal is political” as his blog topper.

Discuss.

there is a lot here to think about honestly.

also i might get long and it’s not fair so UNDER THE CUT IT GOES

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