Exploring the Possibilities of Ancient-Themed Planets in Sci-Fi

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers on the feasibility and creativity of incorporating ancient-themed cultures, such as ancient Egypt, into science fiction settings. Participants argue that while using historical cultures can provide depth, it risks becoming unoriginal if not executed thoughtfully. The conversation highlights the importance of adapting these cultures to fit futuristic environments, emphasizing that cultural evolution is essential when transitioning from historical contexts to speculative futures. The discussion also touches on the potential for exploring unique cultural perspectives through science fiction narratives.

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  • Understanding of cultural evolution in speculative fiction
  • Familiarity with science fiction tropes and themes
  • Knowledge of historical cultures, such as ancient Egypt and the Maya
  • Awareness of world-building techniques in literature
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  • Research the impact of cultural context on world-building in science fiction
  • Explore the use of historical analogies in modern sci-fi narratives
  • Study the evolution of cultural practices in speculative settings
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Writers, world-builders, and science fiction enthusiasts interested in creating rich, believable cultures in their narratives, as well as scholars examining the intersection of history and speculative fiction.

What about the idea of take the shape of an ancient civilization in our future?

  • Interesting

    Votes: 3 33.3%

  • Should be omitted

    Votes: 3 33.3%

  • Unbelievable, but no more than the rest of pop SF

    Votes: 3 33.3%
  • Total voters
    9
  • #31
Hi GTOM

"What about the idea of take the shape of an ancient civilization in our future?"

In the future, if you travel far enough, those who live there can return back through time at will and live in any civilization they wish, ancient or otherwise
They return to the future from such trips wearing ancient clothing, and some like it, so they keep it
But mocking up an ancient civilization in the future would involve a fair amount of effort, and why bother when you can just go there

Best wishes
 
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  • #32
There is a Japanese anime about a future in which the Borgia family are characters. So is Vaclav Havel! I think that's great.
 
  • #33
Recently i read in a science article that probably if humans go to Mars, due to isolation, being closed together for long time, probably different cultural backgrounds etc, maybe they should need some new cult as a cohesive force. I don't say it is a must have, but serves my speculation.

I wonder, can be any rational reason for ancient mesoamerican human sacrifice like execution?
At first i thought about organ transplant, but it looks like cloning 3d printing organs is a better solution.
Maybe some medical experiments, or remove gray matter and make the murderer to be a cyber zombie?
 
  • #34
Creatures of Light and Darkness and Lords of Light, both by Roger Zelazny, would be of interest.
 
  • #35
GTOM said:
Recently i read in a science article that probably if humans go to Mars, due to isolation, being closed together for long time, probably different cultural backgrounds etc, maybe they should need some new cult as a cohesive force. I don't say it is a must have, but serves my speculation.

I don't think they would need a cult or religion to bind them together, however human behavior and society is complex enough to let an author justify almost anything imaginable without being blatantly wrong (unless done poorly).

GTOM said:
I wonder, can be any rational reason for ancient mesoamerican human sacrifice like execution?
At first i thought about organ transplant, but it looks like cloning 3d printing organs is a better solution.
Maybe some medical experiments, or remove gray matter and make the murderer to be a cyber zombie?

If you stick strictly to known and immediate-future technology, then I can't think of any "rational" reason why human sacrifice would be necessary. However humans are not purely rational beings, so things like the demands of society can justify it if done correctly.
 
  • #36
Bystander said:
It's overused --- Niven, The Mote in God's Eye, is one that included the church to excess. Miller, A Canticle for Leibowitz, did well with it, but in the second case, the church was the story.
The church inclusions is Mote seemed rather routine to me. I'm an atheist from birth but after 20 years in the USN I didn't have a problem with the Chaplain, especially given that he had real life experience before joining the clergy.