Love the imaginary future here and the concept of heirloom skills. I'd give the heirloom skill of learning. The ability to learn will allow those Red Settlers to pull from all they've known (or their parents have known) so they'll survive (yes), but also thrive with faster innovation, more measured conflict, more fulfilling relationships, and more time for unbridled joy. Oh, and I'd also add the heirloom skill of grandma's "just add more flour until it feels right" - a lost art unless practiced often and felt with the heart.
The Mars Desert Research Station hosted 2 all-teenager crews in 2022 and 2023. These kids, including my youngest son, taught the Mars Society and NASA a great deal about how teenagers adapt to abnormal living conditions and crisis situations.
Hey Karena! Great to see you using those questions! If I was coaching you, I'd nudge you to go even further. You say you wrote this piece because you want "the topic of world-building (and climate) to stay top of mind, in an entertaining way"—but why? What's the why behind the why?
Fabulous question, Harrison. And I believe I answered it obtusely within the next question: Optimistic people develop great solutions. Optimistic people see options and opportunity and possibility. If you believe with Dr. Who that "there will always be humans" then the motivation to create a better environment continues.
Loved reading this imaginative essay Karena! Great points to consider for sure. I confess, It took me a minute to understand JKR but I got it! When we meet up in Ireland (can hardly wait) you'll have to show me how you created your bingo card for archived essays - brilliant idea!
Maybe this can be one of our AI-conversation topics during our writers retreat. That bingo card was my first use-case for learning how to use AI and understanding prompts last year. The project took me over 3 weeks - but since then, the models have improved in value by log-scale. As I was approaching my 3-year anniversary, I didn't expect anyone to painstakingly go through every edition from 1-150. I feed the model (4 html files limit at a time) and quizzed it on the keywords for each article, the synergies across the 4 articles, then put all that data into a spreadsheet.
Based on the collected "wisdom" I built the easier to navigate bingo card.
Thank you, Cynthia. I have not played with fiction before, so this is a bit of a detour. I recently gave a presentation at an Arts magnet school, and I think it was Rick Lewis who reminded me that the art of telling story is a big part of setting the stage in someone's mind for what the future may hold. And that story teller can set an expectation for positive outcomes. Hence the pragma-topian idea.
The story had been sitting on the shelf for a year, because I didn't (and still don't) have the confidence to let it see the light! Then I decided I better own some of the courage I preach!
I love the idea of setting the stage for what the future may hold, to set the expectation for positive outcomes. Yes to having the courage to speak up and share your vision. It's time to come out of hiding and share your wisdom, gifts, and vision! Keep going...
Love the imaginary future here and the concept of heirloom skills. I'd give the heirloom skill of learning. The ability to learn will allow those Red Settlers to pull from all they've known (or their parents have known) so they'll survive (yes), but also thrive with faster innovation, more measured conflict, more fulfilling relationships, and more time for unbridled joy. Oh, and I'd also add the heirloom skill of grandma's "just add more flour until it feels right" - a lost art unless practiced often and felt with the heart.
The Mars Desert Research Station hosted 2 all-teenager crews in 2022 and 2023. These kids, including my youngest son, taught the Mars Society and NASA a great deal about how teenagers adapt to abnormal living conditions and crisis situations.
Lovely to meet you, Cassandra. And now I am humbled to have a real-world science fiction writer comment on my first foray into the realm of sci-fi!
I look forward to following the rest of your work.
I will DM you, as I could learn so much from your son's experience.
Hey Karena! Great to see you using those questions! If I was coaching you, I'd nudge you to go even further. You say you wrote this piece because you want "the topic of world-building (and climate) to stay top of mind, in an entertaining way"—but why? What's the why behind the why?
Fabulous question, Harrison. And I believe I answered it obtusely within the next question: Optimistic people develop great solutions. Optimistic people see options and opportunity and possibility. If you believe with Dr. Who that "there will always be humans" then the motivation to create a better environment continues.
Heirloom skill to pass along. The capacity to place one's attention on something in the present moment and maintain focus there at will.
I cannot agree more! I recently read that mindfulness is a very highly sought skillset. Modern name for ancient way of being.
Loved reading this imaginative essay Karena! Great points to consider for sure. I confess, It took me a minute to understand JKR but I got it! When we meet up in Ireland (can hardly wait) you'll have to show me how you created your bingo card for archived essays - brilliant idea!
I cannot wait until Ireland, Kathy.
Maybe this can be one of our AI-conversation topics during our writers retreat. That bingo card was my first use-case for learning how to use AI and understanding prompts last year. The project took me over 3 weeks - but since then, the models have improved in value by log-scale. As I was approaching my 3-year anniversary, I didn't expect anyone to painstakingly go through every edition from 1-150. I feed the model (4 html files limit at a time) and quizzed it on the keywords for each article, the synergies across the 4 articles, then put all that data into a spreadsheet.
Based on the collected "wisdom" I built the easier to navigate bingo card.
Thanks for writing such a wonderful story! So thought-provoking, fun, and full of hope!
Thank you, Cynthia. I have not played with fiction before, so this is a bit of a detour. I recently gave a presentation at an Arts magnet school, and I think it was Rick Lewis who reminded me that the art of telling story is a big part of setting the stage in someone's mind for what the future may hold. And that story teller can set an expectation for positive outcomes. Hence the pragma-topian idea.
The story had been sitting on the shelf for a year, because I didn't (and still don't) have the confidence to let it see the light! Then I decided I better own some of the courage I preach!
I love the idea of setting the stage for what the future may hold, to set the expectation for positive outcomes. Yes to having the courage to speak up and share your vision. It's time to come out of hiding and share your wisdom, gifts, and vision! Keep going...
That is such a kind thing to say, Cynthia! It feels extra special given your unique perspective.