Category:Applied Phlebotinum: Difference between revisions
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{{IndexTrope}}
{{quote|''"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from a completely [[Ass Pull|ad-hoc plot device]]"''|'''[[David Langford]]''', [http://www.infinityplus.co.uk/nonfiction/dlnw.htm "A Gadget Too Far"], as a corollary to Arthur C. [[Clarke's Third Law]]}}
Phlebotinum<ref>or Phlebotinium, for our Commonwealth brethren</ref> is the versatile substance that may be rubbed on almost anything to cause an effect needed by a plot.
Some examples: [[Nanomachines|nanotechnology]], magic crystal emanations, pixie dust, a [[Doctor Who|sonic screwdriver]], or even just some [[Green Rocks]]. In essence, it is the stuff that makes the plot go. Without it, the story would grind to an abrupt halt. It's science, it's magic, it's strange things unknown to science or magic. The reader does not know how Phlebotinum would work and the creators hope nobody cares.
According to [[Joss Whedon]], during the DVD commentary for the pilot episode of ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV)|Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]'', the term "phlebotinum" originates from ''Buffy'' writer (and ''[[Angel (TV)|Angel]]'' co-creator) David Greenwalt's sudden outburst: "Don't touch the phlebotinum!" apropos of nothing. <ref>Whether or not he had the etymological connection in mind, "phlebotomy" is the drawing of blood. Ironically appropriate in context.</ref>
If the phlebotinum in question is simply a physical substance with unusual/extreme properties you are almost certainly dealing with the element [[Unobtainium]].
A.K.A. Handwavium. Compare [[MacGuffin]], [[A Wizard Did It]], [[Hand Wave]], and [[Deus Ex Machina]].
<tabber>
Categories=
* [[Forensic Phlebotinum]]
* [[Futuristic Tech Index]]
* [[Hyperspace Index]]
* [[Insecurity System]]
* [[Magic and Powers]]
* [[Magical Computer]]
* [[This Index Has Magic Properties]]
</tabber>
[[Applied Phlebotinum]] is among the [[Tropes of Legend]].
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Narrative Devices]]
[[Category:Tropes of Legend]]
[[Category:Narrative Tropes]]
[[Category:Index Index]]
[[Category:Tropes]]
[[Category:index]]
[[Category:Applied Phlebotinum]]
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Revision as of 21:37, 17 March 2014
"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from a completely ad-hoc plot device"
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Phlebotinum[1] is the versatile substance that may be rubbed on almost anything to cause an effect needed by a plot.
Some examples: nanotechnology, magic crystal emanations, pixie dust, a sonic screwdriver, or even just some Green Rocks. In essence, it is the stuff that makes the plot go. Without it, the story would grind to an abrupt halt. It's science, it's magic, it's strange things unknown to science or magic. The reader does not know how Phlebotinum would work and the creators hope nobody cares.
According to Joss Whedon, during the DVD commentary for the pilot episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the term "phlebotinum" originates from Buffy writer (and Angel co-creator) David Greenwalt's sudden outburst: "Don't touch the phlebotinum!" apropos of nothing. [2]
If the phlebotinum in question is simply a physical substance with unusual/extreme properties you are almost certainly dealing with the element Unobtainium.
A.K.A. Handwavium. Compare MacGuffin, A Wizard Did It, Hand Wave, and Deus Ex Machina.
Applied Phlebotinum is among the Tropes of Legend.
Subcategories
This category has the following 11 subcategories, out of 11 total.
A
F
- Forensic Phlebotinum (11 P)
H
- Hyperspace Index (24 P)
I
- Insecurity System (32 P)
M
O
- Our Clones Are Identical (15 P)
P
T
- This Index Has a Mind of Its Own (28 P)
Pages in category "Applied Phlebotinum"
The following 200 pages are in this category, out of 248 total.
(previous page) (next page)A
- Abnormal Ammo
- Aesoptinum
- Agony Beam
- Ambiguous Disorder
- Amplifier Artifact
- Amulet of Concentrated Awesome
- Amulet of Dependency
- Antenna Adjusting
- Antimatter
- Applied Phlebotinum/Laconic
- Applied Phlebotinum/Quotes
- Are These Wires Important?
- Art Initiates Life
- Artifact of Doom
- Artificial Gravity
- Artistic License Chemistry
- Automated Automobiles
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
L
M
- Made of Explodium
- Made of Indestructium
- Made of Phlebotinum
- Magi Babble
- Magic A Is Magic A
- Magic and Powers
- Magic Antidote
- Magic From Technology
- Magic Meteor
- Magic Music
- Magic Plastic Surgery
- Magic Tool
- Magical Particle Accelerator
- Magically-Binding Contract
- Make a Wish
- Matter Replicator
- May Contain Evil
- Medieval Stasis
- Menstrual Menace
- Mental Picture Projector
- Mind Control Device
- Mind Probe
- Minovsky Physics
- Mirror Morality Machine
- Misapplied Phlebotinum
- Mithril
- Mobile Suit Human
- Mutagenic Goo
- My Car Hates Me
O
P
- Panacea
- Percussive Maintenance
- Perpetual Motion Machine
- Philosopher's Stone
- Phlebotinum Analogy
- Phlebotinum Battery
- Phlebotinum Bomb
- Phlebotinum Breakdown
- Phlebotinum Du Jour
- Phlebotinum Girl
- Phlebotinum Handling Equipment
- Phlebotinum Killed the Dinosaurs
- Phlebotinum Muncher
- Phlebotinum Overdose
- Phlebotinum Overload
- Phlebotinum Pills
- Phlebotinum Rebel
- Phlebotinum-Induced Stupidity
- Placebotinum Effect
- Plot-Sensitive Button
- Plot-Sensitive Items
- Portal Book
- Portal Picture
- Portal Pool
- Power-Up Food
- Powered by a Forsaken Child
- Pressure-Sensitive Interface
- Professor Guinea Pig
- Projected Man
- Psychic Nosebleed
- Public Domain Artifact
- Pure Energy