Magical Science? Scientific Magic?
- Thread starter PurpleRain
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Magic is better surely? With technology you automatically limit yourself to "realism", which as we all know is severely over-rated (Halo might be fun, but it wears thin after a bit.) Consider something like Diablo or Morrowind, and if they would be better with more realistic flavour. Even when a universe does rely on tech it tends to draw some magic into it (KotOR, BioShock.)
Realistically (ironically?), as much as I'd hate to say it, I think WoW lore has got a lot of things right. If science in our world was replaced with magic, there would be magical equivalents for science's follies. Dependence, addictions, weapon production. Not a whole lot would be changed. And again, there's a whole race devoted to scientific study/advancement, so it wouldn't be completely phased out.
At the end of the day though, are we not better off without magic? Science seems to be the wiser choice in that regard.
PS: And with that, I leave with my inner geek rofling.
At the end of the day though, are we not better off without magic? Science seems to be the wiser choice in that regard.
PS: And with that, I leave with my inner geek rofling.
Bah, they're the same thing!
It's hard to say. Science can be quite annoying when it's trying to explain the absurd. For example, vampires... It's a curse, not a disease! Once you try and explain it as a disease, it loses all it's wonder and mystery and becomes less believable. And that is the problem with science; there are rules which make it harder to make believable. I'm not saying magic is more believable, just there are no rules to compare it to so it gets away with it. But when science fiction becomes too absurd in it's explanations, it's basically become 'Magic Science.'
As for magic, it is easier to implement due to having absolutely no limitations, but it can also come off as cheap and/or lazy if used to explain too much, and in some cases it can summon giant plot holes. For instance, when a party member dies as part of a plot device, yet for some reason cannot be resurrected even though the party has a magic resurrection spell. But of course all plot holes can be covered up with excuses, because that's all magic really is; an excuse. There are no set rules for magic, so you're free to make up whatever excuse you want; Maybe the character died on Sunday, and magic resurrection only works for people who die during the weekdays.
Personally, I like to have a mix of both, but I prefer science over magic most of the time. Why? Because when science manages to explain something nearly impossible in a reasonable way, it is infinitely cooler than a thousand fireballs.
Also, Robots. Beep boop, beep beep, boop.
It's hard to say. Science can be quite annoying when it's trying to explain the absurd. For example, vampires... It's a curse, not a disease! Once you try and explain it as a disease, it loses all it's wonder and mystery and becomes less believable. And that is the problem with science; there are rules which make it harder to make believable. I'm not saying magic is more believable, just there are no rules to compare it to so it gets away with it. But when science fiction becomes too absurd in it's explanations, it's basically become 'Magic Science.'
As for magic, it is easier to implement due to having absolutely no limitations, but it can also come off as cheap and/or lazy if used to explain too much, and in some cases it can summon giant plot holes. For instance, when a party member dies as part of a plot device, yet for some reason cannot be resurrected even though the party has a magic resurrection spell. But of course all plot holes can be covered up with excuses, because that's all magic really is; an excuse. There are no set rules for magic, so you're free to make up whatever excuse you want; Maybe the character died on Sunday, and magic resurrection only works for people who die during the weekdays.
Personally, I like to have a mix of both, but I prefer science over magic most of the time. Why? Because when science manages to explain something nearly impossible in a reasonable way, it is infinitely cooler than a thousand fireballs.
Also, Robots. Beep boop, beep beep, boop.
Familiars?Fanboy said:
I like to imagine, robots are familiars built without the help of magic. While they are cool, sometimes, don't you just want to summon a fiend straight out of hell to do your washing instead?
Got to go with a combination on this one. Oh sure, creating a dragon with your thought is cool and building a mecha-dragon is cool but building a mecha-dragon and then giving it life and ice breath with your magic powers is awesome. Science will always come close to magic and magic will always come close to science but without each other there is always a void that can never be filled.
Magic. It's just more fun.
"Side effects may include dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, water retention, hallucination, psychosis, coma, death, and halitosis. Magic is not for everyone. Consult your doctor before use."Jenny Creed said:Magic is not for the wise, it's for the brave and strong.
If magic was anything like the way it was in, say, the Dragonlance books, and Gods were (for a fact) real (communicated with mortals, made themselves known, etc), then I'd go with magic. Besides, when magic is presented in that way it is like a science, and it evolves over time as the magicians find new ways of using the magic language.
On the other hand, magic can be presented in a rediculous and stupid way, in which case I'd go with a more futuristic sci-fi science, where anything can be invented, even if it might not be possible in real life. (which makes it almost like magic XD)
In the end, like most things, it all depends.
On the other hand, magic can be presented in a rediculous and stupid way, in which case I'd go with a more futuristic sci-fi science, where anything can be invented, even if it might not be possible in real life. (which makes it almost like magic XD)
In the end, like most things, it all depends.
well in literature it's a toss up and both are used for the same thing really
in reality magic is just unexplained science
in reality magic is just unexplained science
Magic is boundless, as long as its source isn't something that can be destroyed. Technology can be acquired without magic, but magic cannot be acquired.
I'm loving all of the vague and apparently profound responses in this thread. Almost Mystical they be.
I'd got for science. Who says you can't eventually have a means to summon something from (Seemingly) nothing? Sure, magic is more here and now, but you always see it destroying it's controllers. You know, 'my power is too weak' and such.
I'd got for science. Who says you can't eventually have a means to summon something from (Seemingly) nothing? Sure, magic is more here and now, but you always see it destroying it's controllers. You know, 'my power is too weak' and such.
Yeah, 'cause you never see scientists go overboard with their precious "research"...Danny Ocean said: