New Worlds Theory Post: The Personal Touch
We’ve probably all heard the famous Arthur C. Clarke adage: “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.”
Tag: worldbuilding
New Worlds: Patron of the Arts
Given that the New Worlds series is made possible via Patreon, it’s about time we discussed the role of patronage in the arts!
New Worlds: Strings and Winds
If singing and drumming are simultaneously honored and deeply suspect, the kinds of instruments we’re looking at this week often waltz across the line into
New Worlds: Beat the Drums
We’ll never actually know if I’m right about the voice being the oldest musical instrument . . . but if it isn’t, then that title
New Worlds: The Human Voice
Over time, the list of things unique to the human species gets shorter and shorter. We’re not the only tool-users; we’re not the only ones
WORLD-BUILDING & RELIGION: Cultural Influences
Q: Do you agree that religion influences culture? Does culture influence religion? If so, how much do or should you take that into consideration while preparing
New Worlds: That’s Private
Privacy is a hot topic these days, thanks to the internet and the growing population of smart devices all around us.
New Worlds: Cultural Virtues
Are virtues universal? Unhelpfully, my answer is both “yes” and “no.”
WORLD-BUILDING & RELIGION: New Wineskins & Old
More Q&A from the Catholic Writers Conference I participated in as a non-Catholic guest speaker. Since I’d raised the issue of the age of a
New Worlds: The Water We Swim In
Individualism and communalism aren’t the only aspects of culture so pervasive, we can barely even see them.
New Worlds: The Individual vs. the Collective
There are certain parts of culture baked in so deeply that we may not realize they’re a part of our worldbuilding, because we don’t even
WORLD-BUILDING & RELIGION: Common Elements
Greetings, World-builders! Here is another question from a group of Catholic writers at an online conference I spoke at several times as a non-Catholic guest.
New Worlds: Political Patronage
Holding someone’s vows of fealty isn’t the only way to exercise power and influence within an aristocratic society.
