# Any explanation of the living machines in Transformers?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-explanation-of-the-living-machines-in-transformers/598664>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [October 5, 2011, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-explanation-of-the-living-machines-in-transformers/598664 "2011-10-05T07:18:28Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\
**Post date:** [October 8, 2011, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-explanation-of-the-living-machines-in-transformers/598664/21 "2011-10-08T01:00:03Z")

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> [@Balance](#):
>
> 1. The Spark and the Shell are analogous to the ib and the ka of Egyptian mythology, with the ib (Spark) holding the essence of the being, while the ka (Shell) is the spark of life connecting the soul to the body. If the Shell were completely overwritten, the Spark might be separated from the body as if by death, essentially leaving a soulless husk animated by a parasite.
> 
> Of course, I’ve never actually watched any iteration of _Transformers_ and first heard about this Spark business while watching [Starscream and Rainbow Dash battle to the death](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8er83h9Bbn8).

Hah, thanks for linking that. That was hilarious. 😃

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