Human (Babylon 5)

Humans are one of the many races in the fictional Babylon 5 universe. They appear in all seasons of Babylon 5, and all of its spinoffs. Their homeworld is Earth, from which the interstellar Earth Alliance is governed. Humans are considered one of the younger races in the galaxy but is currently a Galactic Superpower.

Homeworld

Earth is the homeworld of the Human race. The Babylon 5 series is set in the 23rd Century, and like the Earth of today, the 23rd-Century Earth has blue skies, large oceans, and seven continents as well as numerous islands of various sizes. Earth's population in the Babylon 5 universe is approximately 9 billion.

In addition to Earth, humans have colonized 23 other planets by the opening of the Babylon 5 space station, together forming the Earth Alliance. Other major planets that humans have colonized are Mars, Orion 7, and Proxima 3.

Biological

Humans in Babylon 5 are identical to humans of today, with one major difference: telepathic abilities appeared in humans around 2160 and exist in around 1 in 1,000 individuals. [David, P. "" (1998, ISBN 0-345-42715-7)] No verifiable telepaths were known before this time, and their sudden appearance may have been caused by interference at the genetic level by the Vorlons. [cite web | url=http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/guide/066.html | title=Guide page: "Z'ha'dum"|accessdate=2006-10-19] About 1 in 10,000 telepaths also have telekinetic abilities as well, though more than half of such individuals are also insane. [cite episode | title = Mind War | episodelink = Mind War | series = Babylon 5 | serieslink = Babylon 5 | airdate = 1994-03-02] Prior to the Telepath War, all telepaths were required by law to be members of Psi Corps.

Throughout the series, humans are characterised by their adaptability, their willingness to form communities with other (i.e. alien) species, and their stubbornness in the face of opposition, even overwhelming odds. Although some other alien species, such as the Narn and Minbari, are physically stronger and tougher than humans, the ability of humans to adapt to diverse environments has given them an edge over many other species. For example, humans can survive in high-temperature climates that would kill a Minbari, and they can survive in cold-temperature environments that would kill a Drazi.

A link between human and Minbari souls is discovered early in the series which explains why the Minbari surrendered in the Earth-Minbari War. [cite episode
title = Chrysalis | episodelink = Chrysalis (Babylon 5) | series = Babylon 5 | serieslink = Babylon 5 | airdate = 1994-10-26]

In the final episode of Season Four, which takes place one million years in the future, humans have achieved First One status. (The Deconstruction of Falling Stars) Humans, now evolved into energy beings, have left Earth for the last time, and are capable of assuming physical form. Their appearance is most akin to the effect seen for the First One Lorien. [cite web | url=http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/countries/us/guide/088.html | title=Guide page: "The Deconstruction of Falling Stars"|accessdate=2006-10-19]

Government and Military

The Earth Alliance, founded in 2085, is the government of Earth and its colonies. Earthgov, the name of the government, is located in Geneva, Switzerland. [cite web | url=http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/universe/setting-4.html | title=Babylon 5 Universe: Setting (season four) |accessdate=2006-10-19] The Earth Alliance is a representative democracy. Earthgov is regulated by the Earth Alliance Constitution, and it is apparently modeled after the United States government and the British government. The Chief Executive of Earthgov is the president; the legislative body is called the Earth Senate, which was temporarily dissolved when President Clark declared Martial Law. There is also an Earthgov Supreme Court. The Earth Alliance was created by several of the Earth's leading nations to colonize Mars. Although the Babylon 5 universe shows the Earth as being united under a single government, separate nation-states still exist (such as when the Interstellar News Network reports that Indonesia's government is complaining about not receiving its fair share of money from Earthgov). To defend the Earth and her colonies, the Earth Alliance maintains a large and powerful military organization called EarthForce. EarthForce is under the authority of the president and is managed by the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Normally EarthForce personnel are volunteers who decide to join the service. However, in times of war, such as during the Earth-Minbari War, a planetary draft can be held to recruit military personnel for EarthForce.

Religion

One of the features of humanity that the show does highlight, and to some degree contrast with the alien civilizations, is the existence of a large number of religions, none of which can claim to be the dominant belief system. [cite episode
title = The Parliament of Dreams | episodelink = The Parliament of Dreams | series = Babylon 5 | serieslink = Babylon 5 | airdate = 1994-02-09] Many of the human religions depicted in the Babylon 5 universe are the same ones which exist today: Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and others are depicted on episodes of the series; most notably, an order of Dominican friars set up a mission on the station, Commander Susan Ivanova is an occasionally-practicing Jew, and Michael Garibaldi is an atheist. Additionally, several new human religions have been created in the Babylon 5 future. Among the most-discussed is "Foundationism," as one of Babylon 5's main characters, Dr. Steven Franklin, is a follower of this religion.

References