Tanya Baker asked this in a recent post at NWPStudio, “Can science fiction and fantasy stories help us see and feel more?” My takeaway from this (and the answer to Tanya Baker’s question) is that maybe we can if we teach with worldbuilding in mind.
My AI thinking partner, Perplexity, created two checklists I prompted from the quote Tanya provided below:
I desire a future that is filled with art, meaning, purpose, clarity, an expanded field of imagination in us that help us see more complexity, more beauty, more possibilities, a new ‘collective’ way of thinking that is not inherently colonial and extractive, a future where we collaborate across cultures, more with one another, and most importantly a future where we gain the ability to heal and restore when harm is done, to heal old wounds and bring to the surface unknown and unseen legacies that keep fueling vicious cycles. This the aim of my life: imagination will save humanity and embracing a critical need of culture fused with the technology to help us imagine and build a better world. Can science fiction and fantasy stories help us see and feel more?
Two checklists
Title: Checklist for a Future Filled with Art, Meaning, and Healing
1. **Imagination and Creativity**
– Foster an expanded field of imagination
– Embrace a critical need for culture fused with technology
2. **Collaboration and Cultural Exchange**
– Collaborate across cultures
– Connect more with one another
3. **Healing and Restoration**
– Gain the ability to heal and restore when harm is done
– Heal old wounds and bring unknown legacies to the surface
This checklist encapsulates the desire for a future filled with art, meaning, purpose, clarity, an expanded field of imagination, collaboration across cultures, and the ability to heal and restore when harm is done. It emphasizes the importance of imagination, creativity, collaboration, and healing for building a better world.
Citations:
[1] https://www.instituteforwriters.com/worldbuilding-checklist/
[2] https://www.writerswrite.co.za/world-building-for-every-genre-the-ultimate-setting-list/
[3] https://www.lwcurrey.com/pages/books/138204/r-reginald-michael-r-burgess/science-fiction-and-fantasy-literature-a-checklist-1700-1974-with-contemporary-science-fiction
[4] https://www.servicescape.com/blog/the-fantasy-worldbuilding-checklist-bring-your-literary-universe-to-life
[5] https://www.sfwa.org/2009/06/18/a-checklist-for-critiquing-science-fiction/
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Based on the search results, the key elements of a worldbuilding checklist include:
1. **General World Questions**– Origin of the world– Existence of gods and their characteristics– Moral and scientific laws– Magic systems– Species, climate, and landscape of the world[2]2. **Specific Aspects of Worldbuilding**– Geography, history, cultures, races, languages, religions, politics, and economy[3]3. **Daily Life and Infrastructure**– Food, clothing/fashion, transportation– Government type, politics– Architecture and other infrastructure elements[4]4. **Setting Checklist**– Ultimate setting checklist covering various categories such as geography, climate, and culture[5]A comprehensive worldbuilding checklist should encompass these elements to ensure a well-developed and cohesive fictional world.Citations:[1] https://www.reddit.com/r/worldbuilding/comments/59jb2p/is_there_a_complete_worldbuilding_checklist/[2] https://rmarcher.com/2021/06/worldbuilding-checklist-the-basics/[3] https://richiebilling.com/worldbuilding/worldbuilding-checklist[4] https://www.instituteforwriters.com/worldbuilding-checklist/
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I read a lot of science fiction and fantasy and find that many writers are commenting on the human condition in thought-provoking ways.
Your article with all of its references shows one of the challenges. Too much information and not enough time/motivation to dig deeply into the links, or as you’ve said before “go down the rabbit hole”.
You’ve consistently demonstrated this habit and as a mentor/teacher I hope you inspire others to do the same.
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I know whereof you speak regarding the too little time and too many links.
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i love the idea of teaching and learning as world building, especially in these days where I think too many kids think the world is already built, maybe badly, and they just have to live in it. The idea that education IS worldbuilding and might make WORLD BUILDERS is exciting.
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Many already have schema for worldbuilding baked in. It’s called gaming–Roblox, Minecraft, D&D, etc.