I’m 18, but I only just started reading the chronicles of narnia after getting it for Christmas, which is why I clicked on the video. I’m personally really enjoying it so far! :)
I think the point of the screen rant article is to establish a "problem" that Greta Gerwig can then use as an excuse to bend the world of Narnia to her will
This was a very insightful and helpful episode. I've been plodding along with the worldbuilding of a fantasy setting. I come from a roleplay game background, like Glenn mentioned at the beginning, and have felt throughout the whole process convicted to attempt to convey the Christian truth in my world. From it's creation myth to things like the use of magic. So this episode has been very helpful and has given me much to think on. Thanks to Chris, Glenn and Tom for a great episode.
Brandon Sanderson's work reverses the famous Arthur C Clarke quote, his "magic" is indistinguishable from technology (or more accurately physics). On the positive side this does help make his puzzle box stories more fun to play with for the audience as they try to predict how the heroes will use the well explained Magic Skill X to defeat Adversary, but on the negative it seems to render his settings devoid of wonder and enchantment.
Sanderson is an interesting case. I’ve read almost all of his books and stories. His earlier works up are pretty good. I think his more recent works have fallen off a cliff, and are not worth reading. Sanderson is a very systematic person in general. His cosmere “magic” works in a three tiered mind-body-spirit system. This system is straightforward and is easily expandable. Each planet in his cosmere has different flavors, but they all follow the same power. In a sense his system is neat, because it recognizes the realist perspective by saying there is more to the world than the material. At the same time it’s a little disappointing, because the different tiers all work in the same way. Just on different planes. Air go, the ontological has become material. Also as you all pointed out Sanderson has a very modern “ethical” framework. His world is not really tired to a moral framework like Tolkien or Lewis. This leads to moral ambivalence and all sides having the same powers. A final thought, I believe Sanderson himself has stated that he wants his cosmere to reflect the MCU. It’s vast, entertaining, but not particularly deep (there’s more depth imo than the mcu, but it’s shallow compared to great works like Dante). Overall, I loved this episode, and I think you guys were spot on with your assessments on modern fantasy. I hope this little diatribe adds to what yall were already pointing out.
The problem with the premise of their being a necessity for a "system" for magic may involve the notion that in a system, the "caster" is in charge. But the key to magic in Middle Earth is the who and the what. For example, Gandalf is effectively an angel and the magic that he weilds is really a manifestation of God's power through Gandalf. Gandalf never trivially used "power" trivially. Even his fireworks that he brought to Bilbo's birthday party were to bring awe and joy to the party guests with no personal gain for himself. IMHO.
I’m 18, but I only just started reading the chronicles of narnia after getting it for Christmas, which is why I clicked on the video. I’m personally really enjoying it so far! :)
I think the point of the screen rant article is to establish a "problem" that Greta Gerwig can then use as an excuse to bend the world of Narnia to her will
This was a very insightful and helpful episode. I've been plodding along with the worldbuilding of a fantasy setting. I come from a roleplay game background, like Glenn mentioned at the beginning, and have felt throughout the whole process convicted to attempt to convey the Christian truth in my world. From it's creation myth to things like the use of magic. So this episode has been very helpful and has given me much to think on.
Thanks to Chris, Glenn and Tom for a great episode.
Brandon Sanderson's work reverses the famous Arthur C Clarke quote, his "magic" is indistinguishable from technology (or more accurately physics). On the positive side this does help make his puzzle box stories more fun to play with for the audience as they try to predict how the heroes will use the well explained Magic Skill X to defeat Adversary, but on the negative it seems to render his settings devoid of wonder and enchantment.
41:56 I wonder if OCD is some sort of mental trap in this same fashion.
Sanderson is an interesting case.
I’ve read almost all of his books and stories. His earlier works up are pretty good. I think his more recent works have fallen off a cliff, and are not worth reading.
Sanderson is a very systematic person in general. His cosmere “magic” works in a three tiered mind-body-spirit system. This system is straightforward and is easily expandable. Each planet in his cosmere has different flavors, but they all follow the same power.
In a sense his system is neat, because it recognizes the realist perspective by saying there is more to the world than the material.
At the same time it’s a little disappointing, because the different tiers all work in the same way. Just on different planes. Air go, the ontological has become material.
Also as you all pointed out Sanderson has a very modern “ethical” framework. His world is not really tired to a moral framework like Tolkien or Lewis. This leads to moral ambivalence and all sides having the same powers.
A final thought, I believe Sanderson himself has stated that he wants his cosmere to reflect the MCU. It’s vast, entertaining, but not particularly deep (there’s more depth imo than the mcu, but it’s shallow compared to great works like Dante).
Overall, I loved this episode, and I think you guys were spot on with your assessments on modern fantasy. I hope this little diatribe adds to what yall were already pointing out.
The problem with the premise of their being a necessity for a "system" for magic may involve the notion that in a system, the "caster" is in charge. But the key to magic in Middle Earth is the who and the what. For example, Gandalf is effectively an angel and the magic that he weilds is really a manifestation of God's power through Gandalf. Gandalf never trivially used "power" trivially. Even his fireworks that he brought to Bilbo's birthday party were to bring awe and joy to the party guests with no personal gain for himself. IMHO.
At 22:00. These are the same people who call God's Creation a self created "mother nature".
What about Dresden files and Michelle Hiser??