Why does Tracks exist?

Discussion in 'Transformers General Discussion' started by Jacob Knight, Aug 2, 2020.

  1. Jacob Knight

    Jacob Knight Is a teenager arguing about toys

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    Okay, So I was sitting around and thinking, And this has been stumping me ALL DAY so ya know what? I'm gonna post a thread about it. Now my Question is, Why does Tracks exist, No Seriously, Why? I mean first of all his personality is basically the same as Sunstreaker's, A complete narcissist, So why did Bob Budiansky make Tracks a narcissist? I mean what was wrong with Sunstreaker? So why do the Autobots need ANOTHER narcissist? Why not the Decepticons? that being said, I do NOT hate Tracks I infact LOVE him, But I just question his purpose.... 250px-DinobotIsland2_Tracks_robotmode.jpg
     
  2. Applejacktimus

    Applejacktimus Still see the Sunshine

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    Because Corvette Stingray.
     
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  3. Jacob Knight

    Jacob Knight Is a teenager arguing about toys

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    HmmmmMmm....maybe?....
     
  4. AutobotAvalanche

    AutobotAvalanche Number One in Boogieland

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    He was a Diaclone mold yet to be exploited. This is like asking why literally any character exists.
     
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  5. Macross7

    Macross7 Well-Known Member

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    Why is he similar to another character? When you are making up dozens of characters, you're bound to have a few that are pretty similar in personality.

    Also, by the time Tracks started appearing, Sunstreaker wasn't in the show much anymore, so if you want a narcissist and your old narcissist isn't going to be around, you make the guy that will be around currently into another narcissist.
     
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  6. Jacob Knight

    Jacob Knight Is a teenager arguing about toys

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    Ahh...I see, But the thing is why would they need Tracks to replace Sunstreaker? I mean I know by that time Sunstreaker was barely even in the show, But the thing is Tracks was only in a few episodes as well and ended up getting phased out of the Cartoon, So why did they even bother? Sunstreaker's toy was still on shelves by that time they could've kept him for the rest of Season 2....
     
  7. Galvatross

    Galvatross Dom Dom, Yes Yes Veteran

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    Because the Quintessons built the Autobots to slave away, and at some point later in time, Vector Sigma gave him his personality.
     
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  8. Alph

    Alph Well-Known Member

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    I think they felt like every season had to have a new "Autobot Narcissist". Sunstreaker in S1, Tracks in S2, Sky Lynx in S3, and Highbrow in S4. I guess it was just a trope they enjoyed.
     
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  9. Macross7

    Macross7 Well-Known Member

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    Neither characters were the show's A-listers & could go multiple episodes before making another appearance. Tracks was the new toy compared to Sunstreaker that was from the previous year's lineup. No idea of the numbers of figures sold in 1985 but I'd think the newer figure's toy would be outselling a figure that has been out for a whole year already. People who really wanted Sunsteaker probably had him by now.

    The 80's was a different time of toy retailing. Toys could be sold for years but I'd still think more recent toys would outsell the previous years toys. I was into Kenner Star Wars and they kept pretty much the ENTIRE line available the whole run. In my experience, I'd kept getting the newest year's figures even though there were multiple ones I had skipped from previous films. I didn't care if I didn't have a Hoth Soldier, I'd rather get the new Prune Face figure.
     
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  10. SaberPrime

    SaberPrime Banned

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    Because flying cars are cool and no one else could do it...

    *Springing and Sandstorm enter the room.*

    NO ONE ELSE COULD DO IT!!!
     
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  11. Fafnir72

    Fafnir72 XYxInfinity

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    Blame Di A CLOOOOOOOONE!
     
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  12. SPLIT LIP

    SPLIT LIP Be strong enough to be gentle

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    Why did they make Beachcomber an Earthlover when they already had Hound? Why did they make the Coneheads thugs when they already had Skywarp? Why did they make Warpath a feisty fighter with battle-lust when they already had Cliffjumper?

    You don't realize how many characters in G1 double-up on the personality traits. But really, why does there only have to be one narcissist?
     
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  13. Not Blitzwing

    Not Blitzwing Well-Known Member

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    To sell more toys.
     
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  14. Cliffjumper

    Cliffjumper Least insane TF fan

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    Because we must have a autobot that is slef centered.
     
  15. Longitudinalwave

    Longitudinalwave A Big Fan of (Sound/Shock)wave

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    Please note that I am not a liscenced psychologist. Take all of the following with a grain of salt.

    Paging Dr. Rung!

    It's worth noting that Sunstreaker and Tracks don't display the same type of narcissism.

    Here's their Transformers Universe Bios:
    " Sunstreaker is the complete egotist. He feels he is simply the most beautiful thing on Earth. He is constantly discussing his sleek lines, his aerodynamic styling and he is loudly and continually grateful to the Ark for giving him such a magnificent body. Sunstreaker is faintly contemptuous of the other sportscar Autobots, particularly his fraternal twin Sideswipe, whose design, he says, is spoiled by the rearmounted engine in his automobile mode. When he is in his robot mode, Sunstreaker is the most dangerous, most ruthless of the group; a calm, competent war machine. His biggest fault is his tendency to stop so that people can admire him when he ought to be tending to business..... A potent arsenal and tough hide like Sunstreaker's would be sufficient to preclude any serious weaknesses, if it weren't for his ego and sociopathic tendencies. His inability to be a team player and overriding lust for battle often diminish his overall value to the Autobots, and the ease with which he can be baited by anyone, including adversaries, often puts his well-being in serious jeopardy."

    " "Lousy Earth-lover," is one of the nicer epithets used by some of Tracks' comrades to describe his behavior. After all, he makes no secret of the fact that he prefers the sleek and classy Earth form given to him by the Ark over his original robot form. It the war didn't require him to sometimes revert to his Autobot form, he might stay a car all the time. He attributes his fellow Autobots' criticism to jealousy on their part- they don't look as good as he does in vehicular form, he reasons. But their displeasure stems from a more serious consideration. They feel the struggle against the Decepticons should be Tracks' prime concern, not his own looks. Vanity can blind anybody to the truth, even a robot....Tracks' vanity is his greatest foe. His combat abilities are impaired by his concern over marring his appearance. He often remains in his more vulnerable vehicular mode in conflict situations when wisdom dictates he revert to his robot mode."

    Here's the diagnostic criteria for Narcissistic Personality Disorder, according to the DSM-5:

    A pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behavior), need for admiration, and lack of empathy, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following:


     1. Has a grandiose sense of self-importance (e.g., exaggerates achievements and talents, expects to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements).


     2. Is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love.


     3. Believes that he or she is “special” and unique and can only be understood by or should associate with, other special or high-status people (or institutions).


     4. Requires excessive admiration.


     5. Has a sense of entitlement (i.e., unreasonable expectation of especially favorable treatment or automatic compliance with his or her expectations).


     6. Is interpersonally exploitative (i.e., takes advantage of others to achieve his or her own ends).


     7. Lacks empathy: is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others.


     8. Is often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him or her.


     9. Shows arrogant, haughty behaviors and attitudes.

    Both Tracks and Sunstreaker display traits of narcissism (Tracks is especially noteworthy for meeting criterion #8; his bio states that he assumes his fellow Autobots criticize him because of envy). However, with Sunstreaker, the bio seems to hint at something even more troubling: Antisocial Personality Disorder, the clinical term for psychopathy and sociopathy.
    Here's the DSM-5 criterion for ASPD:

    A. Disregard for and violation of others rights since age 15, as indicated by one of the seven sub features:



    1. Failure to obey laws and norms by engaging in behavior which results in criminal arrest, or would warrant criminal arrest


    2. Lying, deception, and manipulation, for profit or self-amusement,


    3. Impulsive behavior


    4. Irritability and aggression, manifested as frequently assaults others, or engages in fighting


    5. Blatantly disregards safety of self and others,


    6. A pattern of irresponsibility and


    7. Lack of remorse for actions (American Psychiatric Association, 2013)
    The other diagnostic Criterion are:



    B. The person is at least age 18,



    C. Conduct disorder was present by history before age 15



    D. and the antisocial behavior does not occur in the context of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder (American Psychiatric Association, 2013)

    Given the way his bio describes him (the relevant parts are in bold), it seems very likely that Sunstreaker also fits the criterion for Antisocial Personality Disorder, while Tracks would not.

    The mix of sociopathic and narcissistic traits that Sunstreaker's bio suggests he displays are sometimes referred to as "malignant narcissism", a condition which is considered a subtype of narcissism by some psychologists. Unsurprisingly, it is also considered to be the most severe subtype of narcissism. This mixture of sociopathy, narcissism, and Machiavellianism (which, in psychological terms, refers to a personality type that involves the manipulation and exploitation of others, a lack of morality, unemotional callousness, and a high level of self-interest) is also sometimes referred to as the "dark triad", due to the risk individuals with these traits pose to others.

    In short, if one looks at the bios, the difference between Tracks and Sunstreaker is this: Tracks, being a narcissist without any noticeable sociopathic tendencies, is likely to be an annoyance at worst. Sunstreaker, being a malignant narcissist who likely qualifies for both NPD and ASPD, is far more dangerous, especially if crossed. Though his narcissistic traits do appear to dominate over his psychopathic and Machiavellian traits, the fact that he has all three makes him a very dangerous Autobot indeed.



    With thanks to:
    Antisocial Personality Disorder DSM-5 301.7 (F60.2) - Therapedia
    https://www.psi.uba.ar/academica/ca...ica_tr_personalidad_psicosis/material/dsm.pdf
    What are the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for narcissistic personality disorder (NPD)?
    Malignant Narcissism: What It Actually Means
    Psychiatry Online
    Dark Triad
     
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  16. Tetratron

    Tetratron AEColyte

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  17. Ikkstakk

    Ikkstakk Well-Known Member

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    Okay, what?
     
  18. Primeultra

    Primeultra Well-Known Member

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    You beat me too it

    to sell toys of Tracks To the fans that already bought the Sunstreaker toy

    now that fan had 2 toys , Tracks and Sunstreaker
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 3, 2020
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  19. Fafnir72

    Fafnir72 XYxInfinity

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    :bowdown:  Pete Brock, Bill Mitchell and Larry Shinoda.
     
  20. QLRformer

    QLRformer Seeker

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    Isn't Tracks that Autobot with all the homosexual themes on TFWiki? Sort of an Autobot version of TFP Knock Out?
     
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