QUOTE (Neraph @ Dec 29 2010, 11:50 PM)
Sums up the two sides. Based on what I stated you can guess which camp I fall into, and based on the lack of evidence for either side this one's basically "agree to interpret differently."
Given that a general consensus exists that the text does not explicitly tell us how to interpret critter IPs, we should apply Occam's Razor.
The interpretation that explains a critter IP of 2 or more as having some Quality (as per SR definition) present to increase a natural IP of 1, as most critters and metahumans have, requires an extra assumption. That is, that some unstated, undefined Quality exists for those critters, a Quality that then cannot combine with tech as other SR Qualities cannot.
The interpretation that explains a critter IP of 2 or more as simply being what it is requires no further fabrication of rules-related interpretation. What is written is enough, just as the various written Attributes of the critter need no further elaboration.
The latter interpretation requires fewer new assumptions, and so is
likely the more correct one, according to the Razor.