Blog Post Revision: You can wear the shoes, but never fill them

Cliches are a pretty general guilty pleasure. As movies prove humans strive for that perfect romantic moment. Or in contrast, watching the world burn. Wastelands and ruined cities allow us to play these out. Maybe not the lovey dovely stuff. More so vicariously living in these dangerous environments. But why would we want to watch a ripped apart version of the world we live in?

Our brain automatically puts us in these situations. To me, that is where all the appeal lies.

In these narratives the environment is alive. Breathing the dark smoggy air it produces. The setting is another character in a sense. Because there is some much interaction between the two. Normally playing some part in the conflict’s that arise as well. Writers like to play on this. Needing the protagonist to use their creativity in solving issues along the journey. Where understanding the environment plays in your favour greatly.

It’s important to find the distinction between two twins in literature. Science fiction and supernatural. Now this is pretty simple. Sci-fi deals with natural consequences (climate change, astronomical factors, etc.) or humans caused events (world wars, pandemics, etc.). Whereas the supernatural goes as told, going against the laws of nature, featuring elements like magic, ghosts, and gods.

Think about the franchises “X-Men” and “Alien”. Both dealing with monster like creatures. Where one can be explained through science, and the other leaning into ancient gods.

You can understand how they’d be in the same family tree. Just with interchangeable key detailing. A formula bound for success as the genres have aged like wine. Allowing themselves to be recycled time and time again yet we are still hypnotized by our own imagination.

Pulling ourselves, into these worlds.

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