[TV] The Legend of Korra

Originally Posted by keyaki

That's it right there. That's the reason why its not possible.

Are you understanding me at all?

Lin did try.

A pre-emptive try. Not a serious, life changing try, like how Toph discovered Metalbending.

What I am suggesting is that Lin learn to bend Metal. REALLY bend Metal, not what Toph did. I'm saying that Lin should expand on what Toph creatied.

Are you understanding me at all?

I'm wondering the same thing about what you're saying.

You and I agree that Metal bending was created by bending the earth inside of metal, you also say that Platinum is metal with all the earth refined out of it, yet you say that platinum is earth.

Sounds contradictory.

To be honest, Toph's metalbending from TLA and Lin's metalbending is far different and looking at the evolution of how it grows, I really wouldn't be surprised if she learnt how to bend platinum. Metal is earth. It is part of the ground. It is created in the ground. I don't see why earthbenders wouldn't be able to learn metalbending in a more spectacular form.

While that was THOROUGHLY AMAZING. I still kinda feel cheated? Like, they dealt with Amon well and I don't think it was rushed or anything, but the way she still had airbending? unless he did each bending type on it's own then how did it survive? she had the capability to airbend ANYWAY, so how did that make it through, and how was she so damn powerful all of a sudden. I also think Korra's spiritual journey was a bit rushed. I would have liked to see the spirit world at some point, or at least have more to it than a few visions and a "low point."

Though, if there's two more seasons to go and she's a fully realised avatar, there is going to be some SERIOUS BADASSERY GOING ON AND I WILL LOVE IT :DDDDD

---------- Post added at 06:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:42 PM ----------

Originally Posted by keyaki

You and I agree that Metal bending was created by bending the earth inside of metal, you also say that Platinum is metal with all the earth refined out of it, yet you say that platinum is earth.

"Earth" is a generic term for things in the ground, and platinum is in the ground, so his logic is sound. It's synthesised, yes, but it's still from the ground, it's a chemical compound, it's just that it's purer.

Spoiler:  

Okay so everytime Iroh propelled himself in the air with fire and flew the airplanes, this is what I was thinking the whole time.

Originally Posted by keyaki

I'm wondering the same thing about what you're saying.

You and I agree that Metal bending was created by bending the earth inside of metal, you also say that Platinum is metal with all the earth refined out of it, yet you say that platinum is earth.

Sounds contradictory.

I mean after it's been compressed over time.
Like how Carbon becomes Diamond.
Not readily able to be bent.
It is Metal, but still Earth.

And by Earth that gets separated, I meant the Earth that's readily able to be bent - not the Earth that's been compressed.

@Metal being from the ground: That's true. Personally I see bending as largely perception based. Benders don't see metal as earth so they can't bend it. Now if they realized that earth was largely metals then it's possible they'd suddenly be able to. Coal has a similar thing. It's not even silicon based but they see it as a rock so they can bend it despite what it's made of.

Originally Posted by Keith

While that was THOROUGHLY AMAZING. I still kinda feel cheated? Like, they dealt with Amon well and I don't think it was rushed or anything, but the way she still had airbending? unless he did each bending type on it's own then how did it survive? she had the capability to airbend ANYWAY, so how did that make it through, and how was she so damn powerful all of a sudden. I also think Korra's spiritual journey was a bit rushed. I would have liked to see the spirit world at some point, or at least have more to it than a few visions and a "low point."

Though, if there's two more seasons to go and she's a fully realised avatar, there is going to be some SERIOUS BADASSERY GOING ON AND I WILL LOVE IT :DDDDD

i think it was rushed because they weren't intending for a second season
otherwise, they probably would have spread it out a little more

"Earth" is a generic term for things in the ground, and platinum is in the ground, so his logic is sound. It's synthesised, yes, but it's still from the ground, it's a chemical compound, it's just that it's purer.

Yet we never see them bend any metal purer than the metal used for bladed weapons and that's only because of the unrefined earth in it.

As Kostya said, it's probably a psychological thing. Why are crystals so easily bent? they have a very different chemical structure to Earth, yet no one thought about it because they just ASSUMED they could bend it. If someone put their mind to it, they could probably do it. If Iroh 1(that is his name now) could earthbend, I'm sure he'd figure it out easily. He's so in touch with his spiritual side and the ideals of bending, he could probably even teach someone to do it.

Originally Posted by Keith

"Earth" is a generic term for things in the ground, and platinum is in the ground, so his logic is sound. It's synthesised, yes, but it's still from the ground, it's a chemical compound, it's just that it's purer.

That's a general summation of what I was saying, yes.

Originally Posted by keyaki

Yet we never see them bend any metal purer than the metal used for bladed weapons and that's only because of the unrefined earth in it.

That's because, despite it's name, they're still only Earthbending.

Platinum (Pt) is element #78 in the periodic table. 'Metal' in this series has usually been somewhere between iron and steel, but usually steel.

Now, the funny thing here is that the 'moon metal' from Sokka's Master was the most mallable form of metal she used in the series, taking on incredibly complex and fine shapes compared to her usual metal bending. This is based on meteoric iron, which is remarkable in its own right. 95% of its composition is either iron or nickel, and due to the lack of carbon it is soft enough and easy enough to work that weapons made from it are easily reshaped by brute force.

Now, one of the most remarkable things about platinum is first its rarity, but second it's natural purity. Unlike most metals it will be found in pure metalic form and will not readily react with other minerals or chemicals around it.

So, the point of all this is that Toph sensed within 'metal' something familiar with her normal earthbending. Whatever this is it is in high concentration within meteoric iron and virtually nonexistant in platinum. Apparently there's some particular element that they work with, or just some convenient spiritual mumbo-jumbo.
Being as Toph used earthsense as a day-to-day method of seeing the world she would naturally bend metal using something familiar to her, and although Toph may be the best earthbender the world will ever see, Lin may become the best metalbender if she developed a more esoteric way to manipulate any metal. The idea there would be instead of bending something within metal, you bend the metal. It isn't beyond reason, as Sokka would say after a long anecdote about boomerang.

Oh yeah, any idea when season 2 premeres?

Season 1 just ended. Of course we don't know.

i heard 2013 but i hope not

It takes about 6 months to do a few episodes. Since it's already the 6th month in the year, January or February 2012 is about the time we should be hearing stuff.

Guys, I've gotten a complaint of spoilers :/ Please be considerate to other users; none of you would want the season finale spoiled for you, and having not yet watched the episode myself, I can understand how someone would feel if it'd happened to me. Please be sure to use spoiler tags.

I haven't seen the episode yet. Do they have it online anywhere yet?

I just watched the last two episodes. Holy crap. Someone call Webster's -- we need to redefine epic.


Also, metalbending is only bending the earth impurities in metal. They can't bend platinum as it is extremely pure, as previously stated in this thread. I guess if you find a metal impure enough, a metalbender could bend it.

Originally Posted by keyaki

Interesting, but Chakras are only associated when it comes to the Avatar state. But bending in general involves the element and chi, so it could still work.

Chakras are gates in the channels of chi and they are present in every living creature. They wouldn't just play a role in the Avatar State.

Metal=Earth

Why do people not understand that.

I think this is the confusion.

It is "more or less" a fact that metal benders do not bend the metal itself, but the rock-like or dust-like impurities in metal. By bending these, they can manipulate the metal. Without them, they cannot bend the metal (right now.)

Now, it is a simple fact that metal, regardless of how pure it is, comes from the Earth. Therefore, it is not unreasonable to think that metal should be bendable regardless of what rock-like impurities may or may not be in there. However, based on the fact that Beifong could not bend platinum because of it's purity, I think it is also clear that metal bending really does depend on those impurities being present. That said, it is still earth. So even though metal bending may not currently bend the metal directly, it may very well be possible that metal benders will eventually be able to bend metal directly without needing those earthy impurities to be present.

.... yeah.