Talk:Acid secretion

Ability Naming Conventions
The following sources are used for determining evolved human ability names, in order:
1. Canon Sources	Episodes
2. Near-canon Sources	Webisodes, Graphic Novels, iStories, Heroes Evolutions
3. Secondary Sources	Episode commentary, Interviews, Heroes: Survival
4. Common names for abilities	Names from other works
5. Descriptions of abilities	Descriptions
6. Possessor's name	If no non-speculative description is possible
Note: The highlighted row represents the level of the source used to determine acid secretion's name.
Source/Explanation
Thompson, Jr. notes that Cushing can "generate corrosive fluid".

Name

Why was this moved without discussion? "Corrosive fluid generation" seems to be more precisely drawn from the novel. They say he "generates corrosive fluid" that's "like acid reflux". That's not the same as saying it is acid, and it's worth noting that not all corrosive substances are acids. The new name seems both speculative and "outranked" by the old name.--Hardvice (talk) 16:39, 6 May 2008 (EDT)

• I sorta wondered that too since they explicitly say "generate corrosive fluid", but acid sounded cooler so I didn't wanna start anything. >_> --NellaBishop 18:08, 6 May 2008 (EDT)
  • I wasn't the one to rename it, but I see why and agree with the rename. Since "acid reflux" is mentioned, "acid" does come from an equally near-canon source. While it's true that not all corrosive fluids are acidic, it seems that the fluid Cushing secretes is.

1. Bases (the alternative to acids for corrosive fluids) as I know them don't dissolve metal that fast; my guess is that Cushing secretes is maybe hydroflouric acid or more likely a super acid if it actually burnt skin (HF affects bone, not skin). It's important to note that not all corrosive substances are fluids. Certain plasmas, such as oxygen/argon plasma are more corrosive than even the best super acid, but the key point is that they aren't fluids at room temperature and the canon source says he only generates fluids.
2. Wikipedia has a good primer on corrosive fluids. It is common to label a corrosive substance as acidic. In addition, acid generation is listed as a comic book superpower on Wikipedia, and by Marvel (Anarchist, Zeitgeist and Man-Thing).
3. And although the artist's viewpoint is a less important source on the tier, Ryan has mentioned that Atkins calls the ability "acid hands".--MiamiVolts (talk) 18:30, 6 May 2008 (EDT)

• Nevertheless, we have a near-canon source that says it is "corrosive fluid" and is like acid reflux. One is naming the fluid; the other is comparing it to something else (and unrelated--he's not belching stomach acid all over people). That should trump anything else. More importantly, I dislike the idea of articles being renamed without discussion.--Hardvice (talk) 19:17, 6 May 2008 (EDT)

• I don't see the comparison making it less important. While it is true he isn't belching it, the comparison is to stomach "acid" so the fluid being an acid is supported by the near-canon source. However, I agree with Hardvice that the article shouldn't have been renamed without discussion.--MiamiVolts (talk) 19:33, 6 May 2008 (EDT)

• No, the comparison is to it being like acid. Nathan's power allows him to fly like a bird, but it would be wrong to conclude from that that Nathan is a bird. It's just as speculative to conclude that his corrosive fluids, which are like acid reflux, are necessarily acids. Is it a safe assumption? Probably. Is it an assumption? Definitely.--Hardvice (talk) 22:51, 6 May 2008 (EDT)

• I'm actually really glad they described the power in the graphic novel because I was afraid we would have to go with "acid hands" as the name. DJ Doyle is a comic book fan and I believe he made sure to describe the power on purpose. It could have just as easily been said, "Cushing generates acid from his hands" or something like that, but it wasn't. I would use the words that the author used in the text over the interpretation that the artist (who had no contact with the author) used in an informal email. "Corrosive fluid generation" fits the bill, in my opinion. -- RyanGibsonStewart (talk) 23:06, 6 May 2008 (EDT)

• Hardvice, Nathan doesn't fly like a bird, he flies like a supersonic jet. But that's beside the point. Assuming it was confirmed that he did fly like a bird, we could conclude that he uses air pressure to propel himself in flight cause that's how birds fly. I think we could use a similar comparison to derive that acid is required to create an effect like acid reflux, but I'm going to stop myself short here cause you've already said you disagree with a comparison being equal so the argument is not going anywhere.--MiamiVolts (talk) 23:37, 6 May 2008 (EDT)

• I have no real strong opinion ether way, but "corrosive" is an adjective and not a noun like acid. Through, that doesn't seem to bother us. --  Seclusion  talk / contribs 23:53, 6 May 2008 (EDT)

The ol' consensus check

Keep as Acid Generation

• for reasons already stated--MiamiVolts (talk) 00:11, 7 May 2008 (EDT)

Return to original name: Corrosive Fluid Generation

• for reasons already stated in favor of this name--SacValleyDweller (talk) 23:55, 6 May 2008 (EDT)