Wobbler

Originally a derogatory term used as a racial identifier - specifically for people of Western Chinese origin circa mid 21st Century. The term was a reference to the measurable spin perturbation (or wobble) of the Earth that was induced by the damming of the Yangtze River. (see Three Gorges Dam)

Although it had not been accounted for beforehand, the construction of the largest dam on the planet, which formed an artificial lake approximately 600 Km in length resulted in an additional 40 billion tonne mass of standing surface water where there hadn't been any mass before. The eccentric weight directly effected the Earth's spin.

The 'wobble' was first measured and explained by seismologists investigating the reason for the significant increases in tectonic plate activity in the Jiujiang Province and, once made public, became a topic of serious international concern. (see Induced seismicity )

There is no evidence to support the Japanese claim that the Great Tokyo Earthquake of April 4th 2056 which caused widespread devastation (see New Venice) was in some way precipitated by the wobble or the dam. However, as the entire population of Tokyo was sitting outside enjoying the spring cherry blossom at the time of the disaster, and the only human casualties were 47 Chinese Mah-Jongg players in a Shinjuku basement, the whole debate made very little difference to the long-term tension between the two countries.

The Chinese claimed that the wobble had in fact counterbalanced the existing periodic instability of the Earth's spin (see Chandler wobble) and thereby helped moderate severe winter weather in the northern hemisphere. When international protest hit its highest point the Chinese countered by publishing plans for an even bigger dam. After all, they said, it was their river, their water, they needed the irrigation, the flood control, the electrical power and the rest of the world could just STFU.

By the end of the century the term Wobbler had fallen into disuse, as had the dam which had completely filled with yellow silt. The term resurfaced onSlab sometime around 238 PD by those wishing to claim direct Sino-genetic authenticity as a badge of honour, but in the same way as many previously abusive terms, can only be used by Wobblers to refer to other Wobblers.

see also; Wobbler Association of New Kindred Ever Roaming Spirits