=Mech= Culture in a can (Full Version)

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demolitiondragon -> =Mech= Culture in a can (4/28/2012 9:04:39)

And we're not talking yoghurt. Hit the library pretty hard lately. Many of the books I flipped through seemed to incorporate civilizations or groups from various eras of history (two examples that popped up quite a lot included Gypsies and Vikings) and used them as a "pre-packaged" culture and easy distinguishing point from one to another. (I'm not talking about stories aiming for historical accuracy, those are different.) Then there were some who had no cultural difference at all, even between countries halfway around the world from each other. Some seemingly invented everything from scratch (as far as I can tell... they may have had influences I don't know) but dumped the reader in a "sink-or-swim" situation with no explanation or introduction to the world. And some found a balance between all.

Which opens a can of questions. >=]

- What are your thoughts on these different approaches? Do you think one is best overall, or that different ones serve different stories better? Do you prefer to read or write certain ones? If you prefer one method, what's the attraction? Are there any you dislike? What's the turn-off?
- Have you noticed any of these before, or have some examples of ones done badly or well? What other approaches have you noticed?
- Which aspects of culture do you tend to "nick" when you're creating your worlds? Which do you prefer to invent?
- What do you think about when creating a culture?



Dwelling Dragonlord -> RE: =Mech= Culture in a can (5/16/2012 18:30:38)

Well, I think it can be quite nice to read a book which has got an "alien" culture you are not familiar with. It can make for quite the journey of exploration on the motives they have.

Eragon does this pretty well I think, at first you have these "orc-like" beings which seem to do little other than plunder and loot and then in later books you discover there's a whole other side to them. Tricked by Durga into servitude, having led the greatest attack on the kingdom of Galbatorix and having their own heritage from preventing peace to last.

When I think of a culture I naturally think of their history and how it affects their decisions in the present. How come the Krogans (ME3)appear like warlike savages for instance? What are their relations with the other factions and how do they determine leadership, if any?



Sir Nicholas -> RE: =Mech= Culture in a can (5/28/2012 16:15:44)

I have to say that I quite like the backstories, lore, histories and other such details regarding whatever cultures or factions happen to be major players in stories. I really do. My favorite is probably the mysterious, exotic regions and lands - places that offer unique cultural quirks or customs observed.

I happen to be fascinated by eastern culture esque places especially - particularly those based on old Asian countries. Take Yokai Island in AE for example. It is a strange, distant, exotic land which appears to be at least heavily influenced by old Japanese customs, styles and architechure.

My own works reflect whatever cultural history I happen to be most interested in, and often, I find my works are most often based on ancient cultures - especially chivalric or sometimes Roman influences.



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