>Omnics do have emotions but on a very different level than humans. Much like how people could say insects do not have any emotions/feelings, it is not exactly right. Some studies have shown that insects’ perceptions of situations are affected by states of fear, anger, and calmness. There are also many cases of insects presenting empathetic like behavior for their own kind, especially so in hives. This type of behavior has yet to defined as proper emotion, but still insects are certainly more “emotional” in a descriptive sense than most people think. This applies to Omnics as well.
Omnic coding “instinctually” reacts to certain stimuli much like insects, but since the Omnics are self improving AI the complexity of stimulus response became so intricate after exposure to new situations and human culture it started to resemble highly intelligent organic emotion. They are sentient, so their feelings are still valid much like how a dolphin, dog or toddler’s feelings are still valid, though intense and not particularly “mature”. I think for Omnics it is very hard to describe what emotion they feel, but they certainly do FEEL. Though they do not have emotions in the same degree as humans, they are on average more intelligent than humans.
>Bastion units were originally construction Omnics before the Omnic crisis. During the crisis Omnic Factories took the map of a construction Omnics and redesigned them into war machines. This is why our Bastion, E-54 seems so distraught with their weapon appendages and has such an intricate AI they there were able to develop PTSD–they feel like a monster because they are more or less an Pmnic Frankenstein’s monster. A war machine wouldn’t have such complex AI unless the design was hastily taken from another unit design due to a dire need for more Omnic soldiers. Basically: I love Bastion and they have gone through a lot they deserve nature and peace and love.
>The Shambali Monks unplug their tactile sensors as a form of celibacy and sign of devotion to the temple’s teachings. (They can still determine temperature and moisture). By not being able to feel through sensors, they are able to rid themselves of the distractions of the physical word and it is easier to focus and pass into the Iris. The Iris can only be touched by Omnics, and is a mixture of spiritual energy and electromagnetic fields. The monks have to be careful to not destroy mobile devices of visitors with the Iris fields due to this. Once in the Iris the Shambali bothers and sisters are capable of feeling, hearing, tasting, smelling, etc on a hyper-human level. It is something one must master to stay stable in, as it can be an overwhelmingly intense experience the first time. However, it is one of the first things they must do to become a proper monk within the Temple after a few months of initiation–think of it like a baptism of sorts to pass. Mondatta helped Zenyatta pass for the first time. After practice and mastery, passing into the Iris creates wholesome sense of peace and tranquility. Even though Zenyatta left the Shambali, he still keeps this sensory celibacy out of personal choice.
>There are sensory plates that look like those Electronic Boogie Boards that Omnics can purchase and use. They are used by applying pressure to the screen much like a pressure sensitive tablet. The sensations vary from the feel of soft blankets, the taste of blue berries, the smell of lilac, to feeling itchy from a bug bite. The device was created by a cyborg human who wanted to share the tactile and aromatic experiences with fellow amputees and curious Omnics alike. Zenyatta had tried it once and particularly likes the scent versions, with many being scents of breeze trickled with flower aromas and the smells of homemade food. Genji tried the boards with Zenyatta and particularly likes the tactile board for cat fur and grass but hides the fact he likes the tactile board that feels like touching human skin (since he cannot feel the skin the same way as a human with his prosthetic fingers). Bastion had been introduced to these sensory boards and absolutely adores the tickle board–Ganymede likes to peck at the board and it’s adorable seeing Bastion giggle and play with Ganymede like that.
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