4 ms·

> magical spells > STEM topics I often find the juxtaposition of these two themes unbearable, if only because it reflects the world we live in today. Magic be

> magical spells > STEM topics I often find the juxtaposition of these two themes unbearable, if only because it reflects the world we live in today. Magic beliefs give way to true love and romance, but also igorance and disasterous concentrations of political power. STEM beliefs give rise to incredible technology and a world of convenience, but also lead to awful environmental consequences owing to extreme resource use and pollution, and possibly amplify differences in economic inequality. Friend, if you can weave a children's story around the nuanced interplay of science and magic, then I will buy your book. P.S. have you read the Moomin books?

leggomylibro 8y ago
I disagree; for one thing, how many books where magic exists fail to run into awful environmental consequences, extreme income inequality, and strife like war or political instability? It depends on the story, but it'd be tough to read the Lord of the Rings series and think, 'I bet that ring could have magically fixed everything'. Also, kids aren't stupid and eventually they figure this out: "Ninety percent of most magic merely consists of knowing one extra fact." Then they just need to work out those facts. Have you read Off to Be the Wizard or A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court? I wouldn't call them children's stories, but maybe young adult.
- HarryHirsch 8y ago
  how many books where magic exists fail to run into awful environmental consequences, extreme income inequality, and strife like war or political instability? For a refreshing and deeply pessimistic take on these issues Jonathan Stroud's Bartimæus books are recommended.
- tigerlily 8y ago
  An excellent counter point, magic can have bad environmental consequences etc too. It seems I have conflated magic thinking with irrational thinking, which is what I really meant. I haven't read the titles you mentioned, but I will check them out, thanks :)
tigerlily 8y ago
To clarify, I mean unbearable when done badly, and merely unsettling when it is done well and reflects humanity's reality with subtle acuity.
jelliclesfarm 8y ago
Yes, I love the Moomin books..I have read most of them(except one I think)
jcranmer 8y ago
Magic can be as rigorous as science if written well. Take Sanderson's books: it's a major plot point in the Mistborn series that the (in-universe) understanding of the magic system is incomplete, and the astute reader can pick up on what the missing pieces ought to be before it's revealed in the story.

leggomylibro 8y ago

I disagree; for one thing, how many books where magic exists fail to run into awful environmental consequences, extreme income inequality, and strife like war or political instability? It depends on the story, but it'd be tough to read the Lord of the Rings series and think, 'I bet that ring could have magically fixed everything'. Also, kids aren't stupid and eventually they figure this out: "Ninety percent of most magic merely consists of knowing one extra fact." Then they just need to work out those facts. Have you read Off to Be the Wizard or A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court? I wouldn't call them children's stories, but maybe young adult.

HarryHirsch 8y ago
how many books where magic exists fail to run into awful environmental consequences, extreme income inequality, and strife like war or political instability? For a refreshing and deeply pessimistic take on these issues Jonathan Stroud's Bartimæus books are recommended.
tigerlily 8y ago
An excellent counter point, magic can have bad environmental consequences etc too. It seems I have conflated magic thinking with irrational thinking, which is what I really meant. I haven't read the titles you mentioned, but I will check them out, thanks :)

tigerlily 8y ago

To clarify, I mean unbearable when done badly, and merely unsettling when it is done well and reflects humanity's reality with subtle acuity.

jelliclesfarm 8y ago

Yes, I love the Moomin books..I have read most of them(except one I think)

jcranmer 8y ago

Magic can be as rigorous as science if written well. Take Sanderson's books: it's a major plot point in the Mistborn series that the (in-universe) understanding of the magic system is incomplete, and the astute reader can pick up on what the missing pieces ought to be before it's revealed in the story.