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#imaginary worlds
thoughtportal · 3 months
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In the 1960s, Ursula K. le Guin represented a changing of the guard in science fiction literature. She was part of a generation of novelists who questioned the colonist mindset which had influenced American sci-fi for most of the 20th century. Le Guin came to this understanding not just as a moral stance or an intellectual exercise. Issues of racism and colonialism were personal to her. This episode, originally titled "The Word For Man Is Ishi,” comes from the podcast The Last Archive from Pushkin Industries hosted by Jill Lepore and Ben Naddaff-Hafrey.
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forgottenlunarium · 9 months
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Quick one hour sketch of a newly discovered locale in our Pathfinder campaign- the Screaming Dunes!
Far below the golden lands of Aurínellir, within the dream-tangled morass of the Deep Abyss, the Screaming Dunes lie at the heart of the Realm of Dust. Taking up the entirety of a single titanic cavern, dunes of arcane sand slowly churn like waves at sea, whipped along by hurricane force winds. Sandstorms- fast enough to shred steel and flense flesh from bone- roil in predictable patterns through the cavern, each successive storm changing the dunes forever. However, life in the Abyss is nothing if not adaptable. The aethapirs, masters of engineering and light magic, have forged aetheric flotillas of light-powered ships, sailing above the blazing heats of the sands, forever evading the storms. Though these fleets often fall prey to monstrous wyverns which nest in the gloom of the cavern's roof, the aethapirs see such adversity as nothing less than a divine challenge- to survive in a place as inhospitable as the Screaming Dunes is to find spiritual peace. The Fire Trolls, formed from the volcanic blood of Firequeen Volsfyrsamar, have also found a home in the dunes, hunting the titanic beasts that dwell beneath the sands. In Fire Troll culture, after all, an individual's value is measured in the trophies of the beasts the individual has hunted- and so it is that glory hunters flock to hunt the deadly sand sharks and bore worms of the Dunes. Rumours abound that something more than mere sword-toothed monsters dwell beneath the sand. Fleeting sightings of stoneworks spotted in the shadowed nadirs of the tallest dunes arouse curiosity across the Abyss, as storytellers speak of forgotten vestiges of an era of light and abundance. Even now, in this time of prophecy, there are many who brave the Dunes in search of fabled treasure, heeding not the warnings of the skybound aethapirs- to disturb what lies beneath the sands is to invite doom on all...
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enchantingepics · 12 days
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Story Prompt 82
There existed a figure feared by many—a ruthless villain whose name struck fear into the hearts of even the bravest souls. But behind the facade of cruelty and malice, there lay a past shrouded in unexpected kindness.
"You really care too much, you know," remarked one of the villain's associates, eyeing them suspiciously.
The villain chuckled, a sound that seemed out of place amidst the grim surroundings. "Maybe I do. But it's what sets me apart from the rest."
Their associate shook their head, unable to comprehend the paradoxical nature of their companion. "You're too soft. In this line of work, kindness is a weakness."
But the villain merely shrugged, a glint of defiance in their eyes. "Perhaps. But it's also my strength."
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xtrablak674 · 15 days
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I Think I Might Be a Kidult
Just this morning I learned the term while listening to the Imaginary Worlds podcast episode called: Class of ‘84: Turtles, Transformers and Toys Takeover TV which introduced me to another term "toyetic". My goddess who knew think pieces, podcast and documentaries were being written about 80s toys and characters?
I was very tickled by this episode because from beginning to the end it held my total attention, they were talking about the sweet spot of my love of toys and animated television shows. This episode focused in on two of my favs one from then and one I discovered later. Transformers was the former and the Teenaged Mutant Ninja Turtles was the latter, I had really gotten into that on YouTube watching the original series every week during my Saturday Morning Cartoons scheduled programming.
The fact that I designated a specific day every week to just watch cartoons totally ticked off one of the items on the list of things that made you a kidult. My reasons were layered, this was the time period when my mom was still alive, albeit I had faced quite a few traumas during this period, they would pale in comparisons to later ones. I also faced something as a child, which my therapist explained to me as parentification.
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Unbeknownst to my mom in trying to do her best to raise her three kids she did this to me. This behavior spilled over into my adulthood in me being overly-responsible and never really being as irresponsible and experimental as my peers during my developing years. Through much therapy and maturity I now actively rebel against adulting, and take every opportunity to regress to a simpler time, one unburdened by constantly having to make decisions and care for others around me.
One of the huge benefits of the inheritance from my father's mother is my no longer needing to work. I live meagerly not wanting for much, but am the master of my schedule not being beholden to anyone or anything. This was the biggest blessing after being the caregiver of a woman who psychologically abused me my entire adult life. The fact that her personal greed lead to my personal bounty was a major upside, giving me the time and space to heal my many unresolved wounds.
Kidulting is something I fully embrace as a place of safety, comfort and stability things I had missed through out my formative years and early adulthood. I could finally give myself the things that others couldn't give me and if this happens to include a bunch of die-cast, plastic and metal toys you know what, I have abso-smurfly no problem with that!
[Photo by Brown Estate]
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darkmagica-0 · 1 year
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The whole Evermore album is like you’re living in an imaginary world with imaginary people and imaginary stories. You listen to the songs and listen to the people that you’ve never met. That’s how storytelling works.
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I created this digital painting quite some time ago, but I was afraid to share it and the story behind it since it is special to me and made me feel a bit vulnerable. But now I wanted to share it. When I was younger, I used to daydream often and sometimes even have these dreams while I was sleeping. I would dream about going off to these magical places, going on adventures and quests or just enjoying this other world. I was very inspired by all the fantasy books I read 😆 This was a safe place for me and I found a lot of comfort in it. I often would go to sleep day dreaming of this place. This painting represents going into this dream space, a place of comfort, wonder, and magic. ✨
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The description of this piece by @o-craven-canto does a wonderful job creating an evocative atmosphere.
It's set in an imaginary version of early Tertiary Antarctica, but when I first read it I didn't know that and I thought it was set in an alternate Mesozoic where a sapient dinosaur species evolved and Kulla-Tag was the giant desert in the middle of Pangaea.
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anxioustwilight · 1 year
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🌙 What aesthetic is this? 💜
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🧿 All images are from Unsplash, put together with Collageable. ✨
⭐️ A friend and I were discussing weddings and I had a very vivid image of what I wanted mine to look like! I have a feeling very few would attend. 😅
🍀 Married in the woods at sunset, dancing around a bonfire having s’mores, giving the guests party favors of bird feathers and Futhark-runed crystals and shells and leaves. The flower arrangements of wildflowers, mostly lavender. The drinks either wine or grape juice, the former of which hits harder with Dionysus’ presence. 🍇
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littleboss-lazulis · 1 year
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I just finished a big chapter for the novel I’m writing that now is 260 pages long, the chapter is 70 pages long and so well written (French of course), it is a mix of “sky children of the light” and magica, i just wanted to celebrate the moment 🥳
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mitchipedia · 2 years
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Why many autistic people are drawn to science fiction and fantasy: The Imaginary Worlds podcast with Eric Molinsky examines the question, with interviews with fiction writer Ada Hoffman, writer and professor Dora Raymaker, and author and professor Nick Walker, partner in the publishing company Autonomous Press.
Autistic people enjoy the complex worldbuilding. They identify with characters like Data and Spock, whom other characters often see as emotionless or nonhuman. And they want to "imagine a future where aliens, humans and A.I. can coexist without a hierarchy of neurotypical perspectives."
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thoughtportal · 4 months
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Thor and Loki have become pop culture icons thanks to Marvel. But the influence of Norse mythology on contemporary fantasy runs through Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings and so much more. University of Chicago professor and author Ada Palmer explains how people misunderstood Norse mythology for centuries, and why it’s so hard to capture the mindset of the Vikings in pop culture. And I talk with University of Oxford professor Carolyne Larrington, author of The Norse Myths That Shape the Way We Think, about how a light Marvel movie and a grimdark fantasy film like The Northman each capture aspects of the mythology in their own ways.
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enchantingepics · 16 days
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Story Prompt 43
In the dimly lit room, the air was thick with tension, and the man's raspy voice sliced through the silence.
He leaned in, his icy eyes piercing through the shadows, a history of battles etched into their depths. A blade pressed against the captive's skin, a silent threat in the dance of danger.
"I used to think I could save them all, you know," he muttered, bitterness clinging to his words like a stubborn stain.
The restrained figure stared back, a mixture of defiance and numbness in their eyes. "Maybe you just didn't have the guts for it."
A wry smile played on the man's lips. "Guts? Oh, sweetheart, it's not about guts. Life has a way of breaking even the bravest."
As the tension escalated, the captive's response cut through the room like a gust of wind. "You're not strong enough to face the storm, my friend."
The man's grip tightened on the knife, a flicker of anger in his gaze. "You think this is a game? You're playing with fire, and you'll get burned."
A soft, mocking laugh escaped the captive's lips. "You can't burn what's already ashes."
Their noses nearly touched as they exchanged words in the shadowy dance. "Paint me as the villain in your tale," the man hissed, the blade gliding smoothly against the skin. "I'll be the one to end you."
A spark of challenge ignited in the captive's eyes, a smirk playing on their lips. "You don't hold that kind of power. I am the storm."
The room held its breath as the blade traced a dangerous path. The challenge lingered in the air, a narrative of defiance woven between captor and captive.
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histrionic-dragon · 27 days
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For Aca-Fans and other people who enjoy meta-geekery, I really recommend this podcast, Imaginary Worlds. The guy who does it describes it as "if NPR went to ComicCon and never left."
He's interviewed VTubers, foley artists, and Muppet creators; done episodes on themes like AI, Hindu-inspired fantasy, the gothic, and reboots; and dug into particular franchises like Warhammer 40K, Magic: The Gathering, and Star Wars. The three on Doctor Who are a good entry point if you're into that. Start with this one.
It's on various platforms besides its own website, of course, although the podcast app I use is shutting down so now I have to find out if they're on Stitcher or PocketCast or whatever else. They might be on Spotify....
Anyway, enjoy!
EDIT: Fixed the link
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darkmagica-0 · 1 year
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