Go Farther: Economy And Fiction

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Know what I want to see more in science fiction, fantasy, and heck, a lot of geektastic stuff?  I want to see more about the economy.

Now don't assume this is my bizarre love of statistics and economics.  I just think it's something ignored way too much in genre fiction, which means it's an opportunity for smart authors to explore some territory.

When I see most fiction focusing on economic issues, it's often boring, preachy, and based on justifying the author's given economic theories.  Usually this is science fiction, which makes the grating forcing of economic theories into the stories even more obvious.

I think it's time to get beyond the preaching and focus on the fact that economic issues, properly portrayed and understood, are pretty fascinating.  Economics is about the flow of wealth, about the relations between people.  Economics has started – and ended wars.  Economics is about movement.  Economics is a big part of worldbuilding.

Consider the ways economics come into classic genres:

  • In science fiction what is the economic flow of your setting – independent worlds that have to have their own economies, a far-flung empire where cheap galactic transport allows for the flow of goods and riches, or something else?  Good science fiction explores the impact of technology on our lives – and how we eat and make a living is a big part of lives.
  • In fantasy what do magic, present gods, and fantastic creatures do to economics?  Can that drought that's destroying trade be repaired with divine intervention?  What is the economy of people who supply strange reagents for wizards (how much is Dragon dung worth on the free market?).  How do you earn a living when wars with orcs are normal and wizards are tossing fireballs around?
  • In superhero stories what are taxes like to repair buildings damaged in the inevitable battles?  What are insurance rates like?  How do superheroes pay for their costumes?

Looking to write?  Consider the economic elements of your world and stories as well.  You might find a lot of fascinating opportunities and interesting ideas to explore.

(And economics may seem less dull!).

– Steven Savage

The History Of Geeks

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One thing I find strengthens my efforts, as an unrepentant geek, is to look back at history of all the geeks, nerds, fanboys, fangirls, etc. that came before me.  A quick review of history reveals just how much was done by people like, well, us.

History is filled with examples of people making great achievements in their own area of interest or outright obsession.  Our world is pretty much build on their efforts, knowledge, wisdom, and odd habits turned into virtues and creations.

How many of us were inspired by language-and-lit-geek JRR Tolken?  A man who loved language so much he ended up making his own.

Chinese history is filled with tales of philosophers, musicians, and sages who were joyfully odballs and geeks – many remembered to this day.

The computer you're using to read this is a product of huge amount of nerd-hours – from hardware to software.  You can only read this because of people that are likely FAR geekeir than you or I doing what they love to make technology.

Just take a LOOK at Einstein, Bill Gates, and . . . well most artists.

Guess what?  History is filled with people just like you.

Look back over history and look for fellow nerds, geeks, and fans.  You'll be surprised what you find.

You'll also be inspired.  If they succeeded, you can too.

– Steven Savage

Media Wars Part 4: A Sustainable Media Geekonomy

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So as I mentioned last post, the Media Geekonomy is stuck in an Extraction mentality where members of it (Fans, Support, Creators) are often trying to get the most out of their situation.  This is exacerbated by regular business practices, attitudes, and technology changes.  It's an unpleasant situation, and it can't last forever – because there's a lot of simmering pathology and problems.

Me I'd like it solved because I can see a lot of continuing unpleasantness.  I can see more lawsuits and bizarre regulations designed to limit the choices of Fans and keep Creators under control by those in the Support sector.  I can see ignorant companies folding, unaware of how the market has changed until they die off.  I see Creators loosing out on opportunities or being denied them.

So let's ask what we want the Media Geekonomy to be, and I'd say that the opposite of Extraction (getting as much as possible) is Sustainability.  Sustainability is about making sure you have enough now and in the future.

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