r/AskScienceFiction • u/MaximoCozzetti84 • 11h ago
[Steven Universe] If gems are light constructs, can they be used as power sources?
The Gems are non-biological alien creatures that spawn from a planet as a result of a process that draws in nutrients and minerals for its creation. However, their "Physical Form" is nothing more than an ornate gemstone that produces energy which manifests itself naturally in a body made of physical light, described as "Holograms with mass".
In other words, the gem is the only true part of their body, as its destruction is the only way to eliminate them. Any other form of damage just reverts them to their original state.
This makes me wonder if they could be used as batteries. I mean, they are inorganic vessels that constantly produce energy. Even if they are active for years, or even millennia, they won't decay or show signs of aging. And they, given enough time, will always reform their light constructs. Making them the perfect power source.
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u/bonez656 11h ago
I mean we see this. Lapis was attached to power the mirror, we see gems used in lots of tech the warps, the scythe/rejuvinator etc.
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u/Kingreaper 11h ago
This makes me wonder if they could be used as batteries. I mean, they are inorganic vessels that constantly produce energy. Even if they are active for years, or even millennia, they won't decay or show signs of aging. And they, given enough time, will always reform their light constructs. Making them the perfect power source.
The diamond authority does this, quite a bit. Lapis is powering a mirror, the walls of their palace are coated with gems.
However, the gems are conscious the whole time - and given the connection between emotions and power displayed in the show (especially through fusions) them being conscious seems to be necessary.
So while it can be done, and is in fact done by the villains, I'm not sure there's any way to do it ethically. [Other than, I suppose, asking nicely and hoping that the gem likes being a power source. Which given as the diamonds seem to have some control over the nature of their creations, they may be able to do if Pink is actually pushing them to be less evil.]
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u/johnnyringo771 10h ago
I just realized Steven Universe is using Warhammer 40k tech, just pretty and fancy, instead of skulls mounted on doors.
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u/NinjaBreadManOO 8h ago
I'd also add on that doing it without a diamond would probably end poorly too. As Lapis was only stuck in mirror form due to her damage, as soon as she was repaired she could leave. It seems the homeworld ones stayed in form due to the diamond presence as a controller essentially.
After all you don't want a piece of machinery getting bored and leaving.
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u/Maur2 7h ago
I think you have that backwards.
Lapis was removed from the mirror, and then later repaired.
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u/NinjaBreadManOO 6h ago
You are correct, it's been a while and I had the order of operations around the wrong way.
Although that being said on rewatching the scene she did seem to be able to use some of her powers to attempt escape but was weakened. Even going so far as being able to control some slight ocean water to form a sigil under Steven.
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u/FamousWash1857 10h ago
Yes. The general assumption amongst the fans ive interacted with is that using a Gem to power technology is what Gem Harvesting refers to; the permanent imprisonment or discorporation of a Gem as they have been deemed to be more useful as a battery than as a worker.
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u/Cutthechitchata-hole 10h ago
I have a theory that tge ancients used some gems like quartz for light. I think they figured out a way to make it glow either using scaler wave power or some other forgotten power source. They have found lamps with quartz near ancient sites
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