Discussion of Azorian Electroreception Possilbility

[dusk]

Hey guys (especially Fay). Recently, I have been doing some research into Electroreception and sharks (based on a YIM discussion with Fay on the possiblity of Azorians having electroreception). I posting this here NOT to make any official requests yet but to see first what you guys think. I would like some input into what electroreception would allow Azorians to do. Originally, I was thinking that I would enable them to "see" the circuitry and neurological pathways inside near by people and objects. (e.g. about no more than 2-3 ft away from them). They would be able to tell how "alive" something is and where it was "dead" thus be able to better repair machines. It could have other implications, some of which I suggest below...
.....ability to using a planets magnetic field to navigate its oceans
.....weakness to any radiation similar to the Van Allen radiation belt
.....weakness to rapid changes in strong electric field or magnetic fields such as those caused by solar winds
.....The ability to develop very, very close range sensors based on PASSIVE electroreception. I was thinking that these sense could be used to help detect different species (like Mishhuvurthyar type 4 and 6) due to the slight differences in electric field different species produce. Due to their incredibility limited range the sensors could only be used in medical technology and possibility ground combat.

I am not sure which ones I should work on suggesting or and which ones I should scrap...

Also, I wanted to share this with you guys, because quite honestly I think its pretty cool! I put the links in order of importance and, to answer you question, no you don't have to read them all but you should be at least familiar with the first 2. Some pictures is displayed separately so you all know exactly what the Ampullae of Lorinzi looks like.

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Links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ampullae_of_Lorenzini
http://www.elasmoworld.org/biology/phys ... tion.shtml
http://www.wildlifeonline.me.uk/sharks_ ... oreception
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electroreception
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shark#Electroreception
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Picture:
http://www.delportdupreez.co.za/diving/ ... sense_.gif
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Elec ... s_head.svg
http://www.elasmoworld.org/biology/phys ... ateral.gif
http://www.elasmoworld.org/biology/phys ... tation.gif
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The impact that the Ampullae of Lorenzini will have on SA technology is uncertain. Thus, I would like to bring up four very important things:

1. Despite its range of only a few feet (average of 30 cm), Electroreception in sharks makes them very deadly (especially when combined with there incredible sense of smell and hearing) with a threshold of sensitivity as low as 5 nV/cm. (that 5/1,000,000,000 of a volt per cm).

2. This is PASSIVE electroreception NOT ACTIVE electroreception. In other words sharks aren't weak electric fish, sharks don't have electro-communication, SHARKS AREN'T PSYCHIC!!! So do even entertain the idea that this is or allows for a primitive form of ""telepathy"" in any way shape or form. Its simply the ability to sense thing that produce electric field and the magnetic fields of planets.

3. Sharks and rays are the only species know to have PASSIVE electroreception

4. We are still learning all the Ampullae allows the shark to do and affects shark behavior. For example, researchers have recently discovered that the Ampullae may also allow sharks to sense temperature gradients. There are somethings we do know that it doesn't do because of our understanding of weak electric fish that use active electroreception.

Whew... so what do you guys think? Any Questions? Any Comments?

 

[Wes]

I don't have any problem with it, especially since it's short-range.

 

[Strangelove]

Practicality Issues
Electroreception through air is totally different than underwater. Air is normally a poor conductor of electricity. Additionally, nearly ever piece of technology and living creature in SARP is already insulated to some degree, lest static electricity damage their bodies/components. And not to mention that there may be background electricity in the form of static, or lighting fixtures, and things like that interfering.

The fact of the matter is natural ocean conditions are far better for electroreception than starship and urban ones, so there would be zero need to evolve such hypersensitive perception for terrestrial use. Even if you could sense electronics to that degree, your senses would have to be so...well, sensitive, that even a stray static discharge or exposed wire could knock you unconscious.

Roleplay Issues
I believe this violates the telepathy phase out on SARP. Let me explain. When I was first creating the Freespacers, I considered giving them a nearly identical form of extrasensory adeptnesses as a result of their decades of shipdwelling. Being able to feel magnetic fields to navigate, or the electrical impulses of machinery to assist their engineering.

However I stopped myself from doing so because it would indirectly cause a myriad of problem -- similar ones to those that caused the removal of ESPs from SARP roleplay. Players might metagame ICly; making challenges too easy or cutting out others (like "knowing" a problem before letting other PCs perform a diagnosis). Or use their "sense" to automatically determine something (that might risk directly contradicting what the GM had intended that something to actually be).

Any sort of extrasensory perception that's this versatile will risk having negative effects in most roleplay situations, just like ESP did before it was phased out.

 

[Fay]

I am okay with this, but I have to say that they probably would have a diminished ability or no ability at all out of the water. I don't really want to make the Azoreans 'overpowered' but they would need an ability to hunt for prey, enemies, etc. while underwater. Perhaps this ability has diminished over the centuries of evolution? They would not be able to rely on just sight and sound in some cases, I would think.