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build_a_world2010-12-27 04:08 am
ailelie) wrote in build_a_world2010-12-27 04:08 am
Real World Inspiration
The following is a list of articles, images, and lists that may be inspiring for world-building. Linking is not full endorsement, by the way. If you disagree with an opinion expressed in one of the articles, please share and discuss.
If you've other articles/lists/etc, please link them in the comments.
The 20 Most Important Tools Ever (Forbes)
This article discusses some basic tools (knife, rifle, needle, level, etc) and how they have helped to shape civilization, as well as some notes on the items creation and development.
Ten Great Examples of Science Fiction World Building
This article does exactly as the title says. Some of the worlds included on Niven's Ringworld and Simmons' Hyperion.
Ten Lessons on Empire: What can Americans learn from the British Empire?
This is a set of ten "lessons" inspired by Piers Brendon's The Decline and Fall of the British Empire, 1781-1997.
Historical Atlas of the 20th Century: Medieval Trade
A collection of medieval trade route maps.
Hitotoki
A website devoted to 'narrative mapping.' Basically, this is a collection of experiences within major cities around the world. Life linked to location. The cities with the most moments currently are Tokyo, San Francisco, Berlin, and Paris.
Austria's Green Lake: The park that becomes a lake for the summer
The photographs that accompany this article are gorgeous.
How to fake science, history, and religion
This is a book review of Invented Knowledge by Ronald H. Fritze. The article shares some of the ideas from the book and raises interesting questions.
A (Proposed) Map of Middle Earth in the Fourth Age
From the website: "Discovered in Tolkein's papers long after his death were the notes for a new story. It was to be set in a new age of Middle Earth, long after the dwarves had been rounded up and herded into to bleak, rural reservations, long after the elves were no longer to be seen anywhere outside the Museum of Mythical Creatures. The new Middle Earth was a quiet, no-nonsense world of airports, malls and sitcoms, but then Bonnie Baggins found a ring of power in her grandmother's attic."
Weird Science: An Alexandria apothecary's unusual remedies
A large photograph of a recreated apothecary, along with explanations for several of the items.
What's In A Name?
An article that discusses the importance of a nomenclature within a created world. Includes some resource links.
Aberdeen Bestiary Project
A medieval bestiary complete with images and "common knowledge" about both real and fantastic animals.
The Myth of 'Superstar Cities'
A short piece from the WSJ about costs and reality of the mega-city.
Cities and Ambition
A longer article from Paul Graham about the cities, their character, and the messages they send.
Cleveland is Dying
A collection of photographs capturing the beauty of urban decay.
Waterways of Edo Life
A short article discussing how Edo, Japan overcame the lack of clean water.
Evil Lair: On the Architecture of the Enemy in Videogame Worlds
Exactly as the title says. Includes a discussion of evil's "visual language" and real-world parallels or in-game environments.
Bringing them Home -- The Report
This is a longer piece. This report organizes descriptions from ten children about their experiences as members of the "stolen generation" in Australia.
City of the Future
A longer article that teases out some of the important factors of an urban environment and how those may shape the continued development of cities.
Haikyo
Images of abandoned buildings and other spaces in Japan.
The Carnac Megaliths
Images of the megaliths.
Matt Malcomson
A collection of photographs from Ireland, Japan, Armenia, and more.
If you've other articles/lists/etc, please link them in the comments.
The 20 Most Important Tools Ever (Forbes)
This article discusses some basic tools (knife, rifle, needle, level, etc) and how they have helped to shape civilization, as well as some notes on the items creation and development.
Ten Great Examples of Science Fiction World Building
This article does exactly as the title says. Some of the worlds included on Niven's Ringworld and Simmons' Hyperion.
Ten Lessons on Empire: What can Americans learn from the British Empire?
This is a set of ten "lessons" inspired by Piers Brendon's The Decline and Fall of the British Empire, 1781-1997.
Historical Atlas of the 20th Century: Medieval Trade
A collection of medieval trade route maps.
Hitotoki
A website devoted to 'narrative mapping.' Basically, this is a collection of experiences within major cities around the world. Life linked to location. The cities with the most moments currently are Tokyo, San Francisco, Berlin, and Paris.
Austria's Green Lake: The park that becomes a lake for the summer
The photographs that accompany this article are gorgeous.
How to fake science, history, and religion
This is a book review of Invented Knowledge by Ronald H. Fritze. The article shares some of the ideas from the book and raises interesting questions.
A (Proposed) Map of Middle Earth in the Fourth Age
From the website: "Discovered in Tolkein's papers long after his death were the notes for a new story. It was to be set in a new age of Middle Earth, long after the dwarves had been rounded up and herded into to bleak, rural reservations, long after the elves were no longer to be seen anywhere outside the Museum of Mythical Creatures. The new Middle Earth was a quiet, no-nonsense world of airports, malls and sitcoms, but then Bonnie Baggins found a ring of power in her grandmother's attic."
Weird Science: An Alexandria apothecary's unusual remedies
A large photograph of a recreated apothecary, along with explanations for several of the items.
What's In A Name?
An article that discusses the importance of a nomenclature within a created world. Includes some resource links.
Aberdeen Bestiary Project
A medieval bestiary complete with images and "common knowledge" about both real and fantastic animals.
The Myth of 'Superstar Cities'
A short piece from the WSJ about costs and reality of the mega-city.
Cities and Ambition
A longer article from Paul Graham about the cities, their character, and the messages they send.
Cleveland is Dying
A collection of photographs capturing the beauty of urban decay.
Waterways of Edo Life
A short article discussing how Edo, Japan overcame the lack of clean water.
Evil Lair: On the Architecture of the Enemy in Videogame Worlds
Exactly as the title says. Includes a discussion of evil's "visual language" and real-world parallels or in-game environments.
Bringing them Home -- The Report
This is a longer piece. This report organizes descriptions from ten children about their experiences as members of the "stolen generation" in Australia.
City of the Future
A longer article that teases out some of the important factors of an urban environment and how those may shape the continued development of cities.
Haikyo
Images of abandoned buildings and other spaces in Japan.
The Carnac Megaliths
Images of the megaliths.
Matt Malcomson
A collection of photographs from Ireland, Japan, Armenia, and more.
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