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Is Alchemist a real occupation?

I may be too obsessed with the comic called 'Fullmetal Alchemist', which as far as i know, alchemists are people who create 'magic' potions and they are pretty medieval. I don't quite know if there is an occupation called alchemist out there right now. In olden days, they call them alchemist because they dont know much about chemistry yet. And for today, i guess they are actually called 'chemists'?? i'm totally confused about this. does anyone know something about this? i may sound dumb but i just wanna know if anyone knows anything.

Reply 1

musicbloke

17

Alchemists were the people who spent lots of time trying to turn base metals into gold. So no, there is not occupation for these people today. As for making potions, don't bother. Call yourself a homeopath. Just give people water and tell them it will make them feel better and you get a load of cash.

MB

Reply 2

Stanley

OP

and they were considered 'magical.' lol but nowadays theyre chemists actually.

Reply 3

lotus_lee

Stanley

I may be too obsessed with the comic called 'Fullmetal Alchemist', which as far as i know, alchemists are people who create 'magic' potions and they are pretty medieval. I don't quite know if there is an occupation called alchemist out there right now. In olden days, they call them alchemist because they dont know much about chemistry yet. And for today, i guess they are actually called 'chemists'?? i'm totally confused about this. does anyone know something about this? i may sound dumb but i just wanna know if anyone knows anything.

FMA is so excellent and one of the best anime series I have seen. I haven't yet read the manga though because I dunno where to get it. I don't think Alchemy really exists and was just something made up a long time ago where scientists thought they could turn one material into another just like that. In today's modern world, it's far more complicated than that.

Reply 4

Stanley

OP

FMA rules! i wasnt a comic freak before but i got really amazed at this, only this comic.

Reply 5

Egan1

8

Stanley

FMA rules! i wasnt a comic freak before but i got really amazed at this, only this comic.

I haven't read the manga (or 'comic' as you call it), but like Lotus Lee, I'm a big fan of the anime. It's a fantastic series, definately one of the best releases, but alas, only 7 episodes to go!

Unfortunately it's been licensed, and *cries*, is being released this Autumn on Cartoon Network. I shudder to think what they'll do to it.

---

As for a career in alchemy, I'm afraid the 'powers' in FMA are fictional. But obviously, you can apply 'toka koka' (:P) -equivilent trade, to many things.
Maybe you could be a chef instead? *chuckles*

Reply 6

wiwarin_mir

FMA is good, but naruto is much better, that you cannot deny. is it me, or was the latest naruto episode not in the manga.

Reply 7

Kupo_nut

Actually I'll have you know that Alchemy IS still a thriving profession. I personally spend many a day turning base metals into gold... Well so far I've got them as far as purest green, but gold is obviousely just a hairs breadth away. Now I just need to find some rabbits blood, a lump of coal burnt under a goat, a small rodent of some description, a lightning conductor and a good thunder storm! I'll be rich - RICH I TELL YOU!

Reply 8

AndyT

1

Unless I was hallucinating and imagined this, I'm sure I read somewhere that it is now possible to turn any base metal into gold, unfortunately it is a massively expensive and complicated procedure, which is easiest to carry out on platinum.

Reply 9

Unregistered

AndyT

Unless I was hallucinating and imagined this, I'm sure I read somewhere that it is now possible to turn any base metal into gold, unfortunately it is a massively expensive and complicated procedure, which is easiest to carry out on platinum.

what *is* a base metal..?

Reply 10

AndyT

1

crana

what *is* a base metal..?

Hmm, good question, I'd assume something typically not thought of as precious or valuable, but that's open to interpretation as well of course.

Reply 11

Unregistered

PhilipsCDRW

If you throw neutrons at an atom you can cause it to change into the next element in the series. But it would be more efficient to sell the equipment and buy some gold.

but less fun!

Reply 12

SideKickRick

Fear not, the proffession of Alchemy is alive and well! lol, honestly! No really, I saw this program before and they were basically saying that they have been able to turn another metal into gold (buy blasting the snot out of it with some big laser thingy!). Just so happens that the only thing they can do it to is platinum! Mother nature pissed all over their chips on that one! Gutted!

Rick.

Reply 13

dinkymints

12

PhilipsCDRW

Incidently, did you know that the guy who first sold microwave ovens got the idea when he stood in the beam of the radar he was working on and noticed his hand getting warm?

I read it was coz a chocolate bar melted in his pocket :confused:

Reply 14

RobbieC

15

I'm actually quite certain that Alchemy is now considered an illegal activity... But that may have been in stricter times.

Is Alchemist a real occupation?

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