Mind melds are quite literally just metaphysical sex. I’m not talking specifically about the actual mechanism of it or how it “brings two people together” although you could go down that route. I’m talking about how society treats it like it’s such a “big deal” and it’s sacred and blah blah blah blah blah. Yet for some reason, the local slut’s Vulcan’s first solution to any problem is to mind meld and everyone else is like “bro what? don’t do that!” And they’re like “it’s the only way ”. Just sounds like an excuse to bang to me. Furthermore, whenever mind melds go wrong, I guess it’s an allegory for STDs.

Mind melds are quite literally just metaphysical sex. I’m not talking specifically about the actual mechanism of it or how it “brings two people together” although you could go down that route. I’m talking about how society treats it like it’s such a “big deal” and it’s sacred and blah blah blah blah blah. Yet for some reason, the local slut’s Vulcan’s first solution to any problem is to mind meld and everyone else is like “bro what? don’t do that!” And they’re like “it’s the only way ”. Just sounds like an excuse to bang to me. Furthermore, whenever mind melds go wrong, I guess it’s an allegory for STDs.

spiders-notagain:

Stuff about Vulcan Mind Melds/Marital Bonds

Mind Melds:

Canon/Semi-Canon

• Shared mindspace, they dont really explain exactly how this works but supposedly its a sort of dream-like location within the mind that both parties can interact with
• Relive memories, i believe this forces both parties to experience the memory. although this is also possible when one is unconscious
• Read surface thoughts as well as hidden thoughts if one goes deep enough
• Can probe for information? This is somewhat different but tangentally similar to the memory sharing
• Can implant false memories or information, possibly even replacing them
• Can also remove memories but its not clear whether that means supression or erasing
• Dunno if its possible with non vulcans but since they can transfer their own katra that might mean they can steal them from others. I cant imagine such a process would be easybut perhaps plausible
• They can also put a katra into a body. The priestesses can do this to return it to its original body. But theres nothing that says said body has to be their own. Although its likely that a katra thats in the wrong body might have a difficult time with it
• If they have access to a mind they can also shut it off
• Depending on several factors their telepathy may be strong enough to meld through hard surfaces
• Has healing properties? This isnt well explained in canon but i think it means that healers with the skill to mess around with neurons (in a helpful way) can fix certain psychological problems. Im not sure this would apply to mental disorders though
• Always establishes a loose link. The usage of this is limited but they can sense when the link is destroyed but not much else.

Headcanon/ Fanon

• Entering ones mind gives them access to their subconscious processes: (Etc. pain)
• For each mind meld, the link grows stronger and can possibly form into a bond

Marital Bonds:

Canon/ Semi- Canon

• Sense each others presence at close distances
• Sense surface thoughts, impressions, and/or intentions at varying distances
• Including when the other is shielding or otherwise hiding
• Aware of shifts in consciousness/awareness
• Aware of shifts in mood/emotions
• Non vulcans can share some physiological/psychological immunity (Ex. Deltan or Orion pheromones)
• Easier to meld
• Can enter a shared mindspace (during meditation or sleep), may be possible across long distances

Headcanon/ Fanon

• Communicate telepathically, limited by the power and ability of either involved
• Share sensations or memories when lucid
• Can have shared dreams and interact in said dreams. This is similar to the shared mindscape except that all the qualities of dreaming (lack of lucidity, dream plot) may still be applicable
• In the case of strong bonds, it may act as a monitor allowing them to be aware of general or possibly more specific health concerns
• Can place them in a healing trance if they havent already themselves?
• Can track each other by using their minds as a sort of compass

“Mind Meld” - Digital Oil Painting

Because sometimes you just want to smash two characters’ faces together.

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