Writing a Fictional Anthropology: How Do You Do It?
- GoshDiggityDangit
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Writing a Fictional Anthropology: How Do You Do It?
How does one write an anthropology for a fictional people? What are the essential facts that should be presented?
“Like billowing clouds, Like the incessant gurgle of the brook,
The longing of the spirit can never be stilled.” ― St. Hildegard von Bingen
The longing of the spirit can never be stilled.” ― St. Hildegard von Bingen
Re: Writing a Fictional Anthropology: How Do You Do It?
Would something like this help at all?GoshDiggityDangit wrote: ↑17 Mar 2019 04:29 How does one write an anthropology for a fictional people? What are the essential facts that should be presented?
I've seen that particular questionnaire criticised sometimes (it could force someone into creating a culture that's just a series of bullet points), but I've seen some people use it as a good start for thinking about their concultures and how to present them
You can tell the same lie a thousand times,
But it never gets any more true,
So close your eyes once more and once more believe
That they all still believe in you.
Just one time.
But it never gets any more true,
So close your eyes once more and once more believe
That they all still believe in you.
Just one time.
Re: Writing a Fictional Anthropology: How Do You Do It?
^tbf, my criticism (which probably is a minority opinion here) about that questionnaire is that, even as a person who likes it presented as many bullet points, most if not virtually all answers upon my conworld would be "Not applicable".
The questionnaire itself assumes many of its categories to be important, while ICly it might not be.
The questionnaire itself assumes many of its categories to be important, while ICly it might not be.
Re: Writing a Fictional Anthropology: How Do You Do It?
Also that! (it's been years since I've used it, but I always sort of assume that it's not an awful place to start)Reyzadren wrote: ↑17 Mar 2019 04:57 ^tbf, my criticism (which probably is a minority opinion here) about that questionnaire is that, even as a person who likes it presented as many bullet points, most if not virtually all answers upon my conworld would be "Not applicable".
The questionnaire itself assumes many of its categories to be important, while ICly it might not be.
You can tell the same lie a thousand times,
But it never gets any more true,
So close your eyes once more and once more believe
That they all still believe in you.
Just one time.
But it never gets any more true,
So close your eyes once more and once more believe
That they all still believe in you.
Just one time.
anthropology for dummy, no thanks...
As long as the questionnaire is used a posteriori to describe what is well invented ...
As long as the questionnaire is not used to create...
you will avoid many biases ...
As long as the questionnaire is not used to create...
you will avoid many biases ...
Re: Writing a Fictional Anthropology: How Do You Do It?
I concur with your general stance ... and I'm the one as compiled the Questionnaire! As for the importance of categories: the Q is designed to be broadly applicable. So yes, the categories are important, though they may not be for everyone! In other words, obviously, you found it to be hardly suitable. That's fair criticism! In my defense, I didn't design it for you specifically, but rather for the majority who are just getting started, who have done some culture work and seek inspiration or who have done a lot of work and wish to see some of that pulled together.Reyzadren wrote: ↑17 Mar 2019 04:57 ^tbf, my criticism (which probably is a minority opinion here) about that questionnaire is that, even as a person who likes it presented as many bullet points, most if not virtually all answers upon my conworld would be "Not applicable".
The questionnaire itself assumes many of its categories to be important, while ICly it might not be.
Even in its updated and expanded iteration, it is and never was intended to be the be all, end all of culture creation. I of all people hate worldbuilding cooky cutter how tos probably most of all in this forum. Why would I foist such a thing on the community?
It's primary intention is indeed to describe. I always envisioned it as the kind of thing a philosophical anthropologer might have in the field whilst talking with an amenable Orc or Daine or Klingon or Descended Godling.
It does have the secondary purpose of creation, but not as a matter for tick boxes where once you've answered all the questions you have a full and complete understanding of a culture. Not at all! It's designed to see what you've got and also, perhaps, to prod your creativity and see where you can go further.
Re: Writing a Fictional Anthropology: How Do You Do It?
Does anyone have a link to that real cross-cultural survey that was around a few years ago? It was sort of a WALS for anthropology...
Re: Writing a Fictional Anthropology: How Do You Do It?
You might want to be a little more specific, if at all possible. This is a pretty vague request!
Sounds interesting, though, whatever it might be.
- eldin raigmore
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Re: Writing a Fictional Anthropology: How Do You Do It?
When you find it, remind us where it is, please?
Same request to anyone else who finds it.
My minicity is http://gonabebig1day.myminicity.com/xml
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Re: Writing a Fictional Anthropology: How Do You Do It?
Do you mean the Ethnographic Atlas? There's a version at https://d-place.org/contributions/EA .
(Even if this isn't what you meant, it's still a useful resource.)
The Man in the Blackened House, a conworld-based serialised web-novel
Re: Writing a Fictional Anthropology: How Do You Do It?
Very nice indeed!Curlyjimsam wrote: ↑22 Mar 2019 14:01Do you mean the Ethnographic Atlas? There's a version at https://d-place.org/contributions/EA .
(Even if this isn't what you meant, it's still a useful resource.)
Re: Writing a Fictional Anthropology: How Do You Do It?
I think so, yes! If not, it was something very similar. Thanks!Curlyjimsam wrote: ↑22 Mar 2019 14:01Do you mean the Ethnographic Atlas? There's a version at https://d-place.org/contributions/EA .
(Even if this isn't what you meant, it's still a useful resource.)