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Date Posted: 13:38:44 10/27/05 Thu
Author: Celebaelin
Subject: Re: surrection
In reply to: Sophist 's message, "I think you just proved too much" on 12:52:51 10/27/05 Thu

Undoing the death of an individual surely can't be thought to be 'the natural state of affairs'. At the very least it's somewhat unusual! Since the death was supernatural 'we do have a shot' but that's the up-side, it's possible.

So we differ here in terms of emphasis.

In one sense, anything which happens is part of the natural order. It's only the fact that you agree with the outcome which makes the reversal spells seem "normal".

I base much of my POV on these words penned by the fair hand of Jane Espenson

ScruffyXANDER: Hey, summon the goddess. Chant the chant. Let's do it.
WILLOW: Actually, it's not that hard. Your natural state is to be together. Toth's spell is doing all the work of keeping you apart. I just have to break it. So you two ... (takes them both and positions them inside the chalk markings) stand right here. Side by side. We don't want you to end up with two fronts, now do we?
ScruffyXANDER: Are you sure you know how to do this?
WILLOW: (exhales) Here we go. Brace yourselves.

The two Xanders close their eyes and prepare.

WILLOW: Let the spell be ended.

Closeup of a single Xander, still with eyes closed.

XANDER: You gotta be kidding. "Let the spell be ended," that's not gonna work.

He opens his eyes and sees there's only one of him.

XANDER: Oh!

IOW there is in any circumstance a definable natural state of affairs and which state that is may well be definable in terms of how easy or difficult it is to bring about the opposite state by any means, magic included. Positions of thermodynamic equilibria and the action of catalysts spring to mind as a comparison, one which was used in GID in fact

WILLOW
Magic works off physics.

ANYA
Not without a catalyst. If you're talking about transferring energies, you need some kind of conduit.

so "2H2 + O2 -> 2H2O (exothermic)

this is nearly completely true but NOT entirely and there are circumstances under which water can be split into its component hydrogen and oxygen (e.g. electrolysis, photosynthesis). Its not easy but it is possible, and very useful if you happen to be, say, an oxygen dependant life form from the planet earth.

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