[HPforGrownups] Magic as a Virus?

[Janette]

No: HPFGUIDX 168024

On 4/27/07, career advisor <aceworker at yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> There has been a lot of dicussion on this list on the 'genetics of magic'
> and pureblood and muggle-borns? This has often taken the form of dicusion of
> regressive genes.
>
> But has anyone thought of a different angle. Perhaps the reason 'magic' is
> so rare is that in JKR's world it is a disease. In other words: 'Magic is a
> virus.'
>
> A virus that most muggle's have natural immunity to but Wizards do not.
>
> In other words a pure-blood wizard or witch literally catches the magic
> from his parents as you or I could catch a cold.


montims:
Why need it be a virus?  Why not an evolutionary trait, such as music for
example?  Some people are born natural musicians, some have an ability but
need to be trained, and others are tone deaf.  The same with artists, poets,
and other seemingly unnecessary human traits which nevertheless are
essential to the human condition.  Back to music, we know that wherever and
whenever there have been communities, there are found musical instruments of
some kind - it is a primal need.  But not everybody enjoys music, and nobody
enjoys every single kind of music...  I'm digressing.  I think of magic in
this way.  Some people have the "gene", if you like, and some don't.  And
again, all cultures have acknowledged magic.  Depending on their viewpoint,
the person working magic can be highly esteemed, or treated as a scapegoat.
Like blondes, or black cats.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]