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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nHumans are fairly poorly designed in terms of bare-handed survival. We don\u2019t have the teeth of predators, or the speed of prey. What we do have is rat cunning and a large brain to design tools to survive. Our digestion is omnivorous, indicating we probably ate pretty much anything as we evolved. One of the more interesting theories of evolution I\u2019ve read has been that we were small scavengers who worked out that smashing open bones from something else\u2019s kill was a great way to get the nutrient and fat dense bone marrow that then aided in brain development. Sorry for any vegetarians or people believing in the noble hunter idea!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the first tools was no doubt a rock, or at least a stick. With that advantage it wasn\u2019t long before humans developed stone tools, and probably a lot of things like baskets that don\u2019t get preserved in the archaeological record. The hammer stone remained as a functional design for millennia, then was overtaken by stone core tools such as blades, which make a lot more tools from the same amount of stone. The first human creators that would have taken some pride in producing a serviceable tool which could be beautiful as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Technology for humans gives one group an advantage. Better food harvesting, preservation or hunting technique or even gardening by collecting seeds and sowing them for next season would all be survival aids. But skills are important \u2013 tanning a hide for warmth, weaving plants into rope and thread, the first sewing, identifying edible and medicinal plants, raising babies or caring for the old. Technology and knowledge can only be passed down in a social environment that teaches and cares for others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Technology is then a feature of being human \u2013 we are an inventive species. From stone tools to metal tools took thousands of years. But from the first flight to landing on the moon only took sixty-six years. The internet sent its first message in 1969, some fifty-two years ago. It would be hard to pick a time where human culture changed faster than 1900 – 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This can cause problems in world building. Firstly, the author may be out paced by developments. A scifi book written in the fifties would be severely outdated \u2013 and so might one being written now. But even research can be difficult \u2013 we become so used to the current situation that we are blind to the past \u2013 imagine a time with no internet \u2013 say thirty years ago? That is a lifetime for some already. The difference in how something is used can also be a generational or location aspect \u2013 the uptake of smart phones for instance would be much lower in the old or in poorer parts of the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So how do characters react to change and new technology? In the Earth Children series, the discovery that pyrite makes long lasting sparks on flint to make fire was seen as a spiritual invention, so much did it help daily life. But during the Industrial Revolution workers revolted at new machines that took their jobs \u2013 coining the term \u2018luddite\u2019. Today we see the effects of modern-day miracles such as vaccines being treated with deep suspicion and fear. Change \u2013 represented by technology \u2013 is something that can be a fearful thing, taking away the familiar and forcing new learning and habits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of course, not all technology is a good thing. Sometimes research goes down wrong paths on the route to discovery or from a sense of curiosity not tempered with compassion. Mistakes happen causing more problems, or there are unforeseen side effects. That\u2019s where robust scientific method and ethics can provide guidance, in themselves nested in an environment of free exchange of information and ideas. One benefit from such problematic technology is the subsequent development of safety guidelines and vigorous testing. From a historical perspective, the development of food safety laws and clean water is interesting, involving as it does the human failing of greed vs a desire for public safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Over time, the creation of technology has also changed. The image of the lone Victorian eccentric inventor has been replaced with a team. It is also perhaps more corporate than individual, given large amounts of money might be needed. Going forward again, the introduction of the universal basic wage might reinvigorate individual creativity once more, once creative thought is not stifled by hours serving customers. Imagine a future working towards the betterment of humankind \u2013 and yes, I pinched that idea from Star Trek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Imagine a future where technology is so advanced, everyone has the chance to invent things. A return to the time of our ancestors, asking themselves how can I make this rock more useful? A time when humans can go out and explore the universe like the ancient savannahs, using their giant brains for good. In a way, a book is a form of technology, a way to encourage a brighter future, and to spur the imagination. But most of all, to provide hope in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Enjoy this blog? Have a think about signing up via my <\/em>website<\/a> or catch them as they fly around the ether on <\/em>twitter<\/a> or <\/em>facebook<\/a>. They will stay where they are pinned on <\/em>pinterest<\/a>.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n My latest book, a contemporary romantic comedy is now out in paperback – free on Kindle Unlimited! Rocky Road to Love tells the tale of two scientists falling in love in the Australian outback. There\u2019s geology, archaeology, dust, danger and the occasional possum! Link: <\/em>Rocky Road to Love<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n For those that have not read Druid’s Portal yet, here is a link to the first chapter of <\/em>\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>DruidsPortal<\/a> <\/em><\/strong>and to the second in the series<\/em> <\/em><\/strong>Druid\u2019s Portal: The Second Journey, and you can read a preview <\/em>here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Scifi more your thing? Try my short stories in the anthologies<\/em> <\/em>Quantum Soul<\/a> and <\/em>Tales from Alternate Earths 2.<\/a> Or what about horror? Try Haunted,<\/a> a free horror anthology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Are you an author? My book \u201cThe Organized Author\u201d is out now. Grab a copy <\/em>here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Doing NaNo this year or know someone that is? Grab a copy of my free guide \u201c<\/em>NaNoWriMo Ready.\u201d<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n My latest author help book <\/em>\u201c30 Organizing Tips for Writers\u201d<\/a> is free as well.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are keen to chat with other scifi peeps, then check out the Knights of the Scifi Roundtable <\/em>facebook group<\/a> and subscribe to their newsletter <\/em>https:\/\/mailchi.mp\/29fb30bca8e4\/update-subscription<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Short stories and poetry? Try the Rhetoric Askew anthologies<\/em>: <\/em>Mixed genre<\/a>, <\/em>Adventure <\/a>or <\/em>Romance <\/a>. Or my own collection Tales of Imagination<\/a> and <\/em>Tales of Romance<\/a>. <\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n And my own author newsletter, for book news, odd facts, recipes and random freebies. Every subscription gets a free copy of my short stories \u2018New Beginnings\u2019 two tales of later in life romance <\/em>Sign up here.<\/a> Or prefer a scifi story instead? <\/em>Sign up here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Worldbuilding blog for writers of #scifi #histfic #romance <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2700,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[72],"tags":[51],"class_list":["post-2699","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-world-building","tag-world-building"],"yoast_head":"\n