What is it about alternative reality genres that make a good story? Why do we even need it? Can't any story be told without scientific, magical or supernatural concepts? What do they add? Are there any stories that can't be told without them? _________________ Violet "Violanthe" Kane
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Here I am being long-winded again. But I've been thinking a lot about this topic. I have a lot of time to think at work
I think it's just part of what we are. Our ancestors told stories to understand and pass on knowledge about the world. These tales often contained scientific, magical, and supernatural concepts. There was a deity for pretty much every natural element. Bad things happened to those who angered the gods. Spirits sought venegeance on people who'd done them wrong. In all civilizations I can think of, there were individuals who possessed certain knowledge or powers and could use them to help or hurt others. Heroes battled all manner of beasts for honour and love.
Of course, we can tell stories without these elements. But I think alternative reality elements add more dimension and power to stories. In such stories the thoughts and actions have farther-reaching implications than simply the physical and emotional effects on the immediate characters. Whole civilizations can be built or destroyed; souls can be damned or redeemed for eternity; pasts and futures can be altered or obliterated.
Despite globalization (or perhaps because of it) we seem to be becoming more and more me-oriented. We tend to see things in how they affect us and I think alternative reality fiction serves to remind us that sometimes the things we do affect more than ourselves.
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