On Words...

Words. Words can be the most powerful thing in any culture. They are often remembered by any number of means; songs, poems, and/or stories passed down memorized by one to another never written down changing ever so slightly though the ages, then there was the written word. First used on murals, tablets or papyrus scrolls. Then coaxed by many other forms; pen and ink , but most recently by keys with little painted letters on them appearing on a piece of glass, and later on paper.

Each one carries an individual or conglomerated idea coalescing in a higher concept almost inarguably one of the most powerful things in the universe. Ideas can travel like light. Falling through cracks, passing around walls, destroying darkness, and engaging the minds of any who understand them.

A word of caution. Spoken words may be forgotten, twisted, and manipulated to the best interests of others, yet the same can be said of the written word. It is much harder for it remains visible for interpretation and immortalization. Take care what you write, read your own words and weigh what it is you truly mean. For generations may read or hear what you so idly think is righteous or musical.

When you speak of others or use a story to make implications take care that you mean what you say and say what you mean. For it may change the mind of a “fence sitter” or a doubter changing them forever to one side or the other.  I say this not because of something that I have written or intend to write, but because I have seen the written word invoke the strongest of emotions and bring both promise of utopia and rivers of blood. Some of these things were written when the written word was but in its infancy, and those using it may have been ignorant of its intoxicating effects through the ages.

I have heard the phrase “Think before you speak.” I say think before you write, it is just as important. 

Walkabout Publishing: STALKING THE WILD HARE

Walkabout Publishing: STALKING THE WILD HARE

There are so many things to say, and I still don't quite know what to say. Except one thing. ALL the stories here are so very awesome. If you don't read it for mine please read it for theirs. 
Jean Rabe, Marc Tassin, John Helfers, Chris Pierson, Michael Stackpole, Anton Stout, Kelly Swails, Stephen D. Sullivan, Kerrie Hughes, Steven Saus, Elizabeth A. Vaughan, Tim Waggoner, Linda Baker, Jennifer Brozek, Don Bingle, Dylan Birtolo, Wes Nicholson, Paul Genesse, Daniel Meyers, Brad P. Beaulieu, and Richard Lee Byers.

Technology & Magic

Magic influencing technology is something that is foreign to our world, we have no magic…well none that most people believe in. If we did how would it have changed the technological evolution of our race? The answer-dramatically. Not only would it affect physical technology but everything affected by Wallace’s technology continuum, (1966; Religion: An Anthropological View; ISBN-10: 0394442717). Wallace says that the higher level the technology the more complex the religion. Magic is often tied to religion in some aspect, so this line of thought is not necessarily true. If magic comes from religion, then the religion affects the everyday lives of its believers. Religion then becomes essential to the culture, but it may or may not become more complex than at its inception.

What if magic’s source isn’t from religion but from science? Then the perception of its origin has no bearing on the gods, religion and technology become separate. Do they become advisories? Probably, they are now in our world. Most of the time as long as the science backs the current majority the science is praised, but when it contradicts religion… pardon the expression but all Cain breaks loose. For example, what if the body of Christ was found and by scientific mans proved absolutely beyond a scientific doubt. The rebellion of the Christians against the scientific community would be devastating, and the Jewish community would be moving with just as much force… and there would probably be a war of some kind.


However, if the bodies of the Fianna were found under the hills at Tara? What would be the response? These are holy characters to the old Irish Celtic religion (and many of the old pagan religions of the British Isles), but of no consequence to the five major religions of the world. This still may create a certain level of friction. Science is defined by absolutes but religion is defined by faith, and science only has faith in what it can conceivably prove. Most often religion only finds science useful and kosher as long as the science is in the religion’s best interest. If science, scientifically proved the body of Christ had been found the uproar and devastation would be catastrophic. Denial of the validity of the science by both logic and ‘heresy’ would occur from a variety of sources. Just as if science found undisputable proof contradicting any religion.


How would magic affect technology? What if electricity wasn’t required, or gas, or water to power anything? No need for all those environmentalists… or their jobs or sciences. Botany would just be the study of plants and wouldn’t include how the deforestation affects the planet, but would include it’s interaction with life on the planet. It might be divided into the study of magical and non-magical plants. Same instance for zoologists, geologists and the others. Elevators wouldn’t exist you’d just float up to a place or take the stairs, maybe you would just teleport. Planes, trains and automobiles…also most likely wouldn’t have been invented. Necessity is the mother of invention, remember it, its true.


Medicine? Magic would heal you. Pens would write as you spoke, or the words might just form on the page. Physical cleaning or repair might not happen either, just speak a few magic words and poof! All clean or fixed. That group of jobs might be held by a select group of magicians, a guild perhaps of ‘craftsman’. If stone was sculpted by magic, why would you need those chisels and hammers? If a deed is done by magic then the physical tool is unnecessary, keep this in mind. If things are held together by magic, why would a culture create nails or screws? Or is there a need for these things by those who can’t access the magic, and if they are who are these people?


Magic, I think, follows one of Newton’s laws most of the time. For every action there is an equal and/or opposite reaction. Magic, or the portrayal of magic, often works like science in this capacity. If you do something with magic there will be a reaction of some kind, most like of equal proportion to whatever you did. If you send the fireball down the hall at the bad guys, instead of firing a gun, bow, or smallest member of the party, it just might blow up the whole hall not only one of the villains. On that note if guns fire magic what need is there for bullets? In fact what need is their within the culture of magicians for physical weapons at all. Those “limited physical items” would be a marker of those less fortunate not to cast magic. Does magic create an upper class of magic users? Making anyone who doesn’t or can’t use magic a lesser person, or are the mages outcast as freaks?


Just remember, magic has laws of operation just like technology’s laws are rooted in the laws of science. Magic is not an excuse for not explaining yourself, and it certainly isn’t ‘poofty solve a problem’ with no explanation of its origin because you went and boxed yourself in.