Talk:Water mimicry

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 water mimicry's name.
Source/Explanation
Noah says the liquid man can "mimic the density of water" and "can turn his body wholly into liquid" in Team Building Exercise.

Description

• Unless I missed something the description here seems highly speculative. All I got from the graphic novel was that he was essentially able to transform himself into water, not manipulate any water externally. (Admin 13:00, 30 October 2007 (EDT))
  • I reworded it to be less speculative. Based on what we've seen his ability doesn't involve anything more than being able to essentially transform himself into water. I can see how the scene where he splashes the agents could be a little confusing, but he charged them and splashed through them. (Admin 13:08, 30 October 2007 (EDT))

Name

• Why is the power called "water density mimicry"? All human beings already are the same density as water (or rather only slightly less dense). Simply "water mimicry" or "self liquefaction" might be better. If it is necessary to include some specific physical quality, then perhaps you want "viscosity" rather than "density".--E rowe 14:20, 30 October 2007 (EDT)
  • Go into a deep swimming pool, exhale completely, and then tell me if you stay in the same place, sink, or float. :) Despite being mostly water we are still significantly more dense and will sink. That being said it's not my favorite name for an ability, but it's pretty much taken right from the content of the graphic novel. "Water mimicry" seems like an acceptable (and personally my preferred) alternative to me since it remains backed by the novel. (Admin 14:24, 30 October 2007 (EDT))
    • OK, I see, Noah says that his body can mimic the density of water. It's still wrong. But at least it does come from the GN. On the other hand, Noah also says "He can turn his body wholly into liquid," which seems like a more accurate discription of what he does.--E rowe 14:30, 30 October 2007 (EDT)
      • I like "water mimicry" personally and it's essentially what he says in the novel and is backed up by the art as well. If others think "water mimicry" is a better name we could go with that shorter form. (Admin 14:53, 30 October 2007 (EDT))
        • I like the sound and clarity of either 'Aquakinesis' or 'Hydrokinesis' (which fits nicely with the Fire-equivelant of Pyrokinesis). Unfortunately, neither the GN nor the Episode make either of those references. Have we set a strict precidence that we only derive names from the explicit names used in the GNs or Epis, and not a more common or more familiar synonym that might be a better fit? Wouldn't you think that either 'Aquakinesis' or 'Hydrokinesis' is a better description of the ability than 'Water Mimic'? --HiroDynoSlayer (talk) 10/30/2007 15:01 (EST)
          • Yes, according to the naming conventions canonical names or descriptions take precedence and we have some decent canonical terms presented to us in this novel. "Aquakinesis" and "hydrokinesis" aren't accurate descriptions of his ability either which so far just involves transforming (or mimicking) water. (Admin 15:07, 30 October 2007 (EDT))
          • I'm not sure about his ability. 'mimicing' it, to me, means taking water that is existant, and making it do something. He, on the other hand, is creating water out of his body, and yeilding it. I can't see his useage of it in the GN as being any differently than how Meridith Gordon's Pyrokinesis has been shown; or how Sylar's ice ability has been shown. Yes the GN uses the term mimic...but how does that term clearly apply? When he created the wave of water that washed Ivan and Maarten over, it was more volumne that his own body itself comprised, so he was mentally creating water just like Sylar mentally creates Ice, and Meridith mentally creates fire. The Both Hyrdo- and Aqua- are synonyms for water, and when you add the suffix kinesis, it simply means they are controlled by the hosts mind. He used his mind to call forth the water. However, their is no term 'waterkinesis'...but the other two prefixes are commonly understood terms for the same thing. --HiroDynoSlayer (talk) 10/30/2007 15:14 (EST)
            • I believe you misinterpreted the scene check it again carefully including the frames leading up to it. He's not calling forth water. He charges the men and breaks through them as a liquid. He's not affecting any external water supply or projecting it from himself. He's only mimicking/transforming himself into water. (Admin 15:18, 30 October 2007 (EDT))
            • Hiro, to mimic water means for one to make oneself behave like water, which is what this character is doing. He might be creating water in the process, that's unclear. But he isn't manipulating water (other than the water that comprises him), as hydro-kinesis or aqua-kinesis would imply. He's just turning into water, or at least water-like liquid, i.e. mimicking it.--E rowe 15:26, 30 October 2007 (EDT)
      • I like water mimicry. I slightly prefer self-liquefaction. But I think we should not use the word "density" for reasons already mentioned. As far as favoring that name because of its coming from a canonical source, I would just write that line off to being Noah's personal musing, not a deliberate naming of the power or defining what it entails. That line is just not an accurate description. Of all the physical properties of water, its density is not one that is particularly germane to this power. If we obligate ourselves on this wiki to say this power involves mimicking the density of water, then we're just repeating that inaccuracy. Plus, we do have another line from Noah that is just as authoritative and more accurate, when he says he turns his body wholly into water.--E rowe 15:47, 30 October 2007 (EDT)
        • Yeah, I think we can omit "density" and still be following the canonical reference and I think it comes out nicely if we do omit it. (Admin 16:06, 30 October 2007 (EDT))
          • Agree, "water mimicry" is much better. -- RyanGibsonStewart (talk) 17:39, 30 October 2007 (EDT)

Why water? Isn't that speculative as well? Noah and Ivan both say Liquid. Why not "Liquid Mimicry?" or "auto-viscosity control" (that is also very speculative I know, I just like it.)Random guy 15:14, 3 November 2007 (EDT) hi self liquification sounds more appropriate , because he can control his on form a man named washout can do a similair thing he can do so why not name his ability self liquification --Zoga78 19:36, 18 April 2008 (EDT)

• It's not speculative. Noah says the man can mimic the density of water in the novel.--MiamiVolts (talk) 19:43, 18 April 2008 (EDT)

JUST A SUGGESTION

Maybe you could try "Aqueous Form". I mean the guy assumes a form similar to water, but he doesn't actually specify if he really becomes water. Since the form is similar to water (as implied by the color of the water) why not say he assumes an aqueous (similar to but not necesarily actually water) form. Shadowulf 10:32, 12 August 2008 (EDT)