World Building in Science Fiction & Fantasy [sciencetechnology-center.blogspot.com]
www.euronews.com The great and the good from the world of technological innovation board a boat in Copenhagen for the European Inventor Award, presented by the European Patent Office, in co-operation with the European Commission. Since 2006 the annual award acknowledges the work of some Europe's brightest minds. An international jury sifted through hundreds of applications until a final 15 were selected. There are five awards on offer in five different categories: The Royal Danish Playhouse is the venue for the ceremony and Crown Prince Frederic and Princess Mary are in attendance. Professor Josef Bille from the University of Heidelberg picked up a lifetime achievement award for his work in the field of laser eye surgery. Professor Bille invented the technology for laser eye corrections. The laser scans the eye in great detail and allows the mapping of defects in the iris. The sheer detail allows the surgeon to carry out precise surgical procedures or create tailor made lenses. The technology has helped correct the vision of millions across the globe. Professor Josef Bille explains the benefits of the technology for those with eye problems: "The advantages are for people with higher degrees of optical deficiencies in the eye, so higher myopia, higher hyperopia, high degree of astigmatism, which cannot be corrected with conventional means, like glasses or contact lenses." In the Non European category Dr John O'Sullivan and his team from Australia took home an award for ...
euronews hi-tech - Bright minds win big prizes at the Inventor Awards
The Tools You Need to Make a Believable World
Most fantasies and science fiction stories require some world-building. The list below provides things to consider when first building your world: o The world (e.g., on Earth or not) o Physical and historical features (climate, geography, resources) o Magic and magicians (e.g., rules of magic, technology) o Peoples and customs (e.g., language, ethics and values, religion) o Social organization & structure (e.g., government, politics, conflicts, fashion, entertainment) o Commerce & trade (e.g., industry, transportation, communication)
Science & World Building
Do you need science to create your world? The short answer is: it really depends on what kind of story you're writing. If your story is a historical fantasy set on Earth, no; if it's set on some probable planet in the Andromeda Galaxy, the answer is yes. But, in both cases you owe the reader to be accurate and to do the proper research.
Do Your Research
Part of the reason people read historical epics is to learn more about that particular civilization and time period. Your reader trusts that you will give her the facts on the world, while taking liberties on the remaining story elements. Similarly, a science fiction reader opens the first book in Larry Niven's Ringworld series with the expectation of learning about a made-up world based on principals of science.
Make it Plausible Through Familiarity, Detail & Consistency
A lot of science fiction is written by non scientists. That said, many science fiction readers- particularly those who enjoy hard science fiction-expect your science to be not only plausible but somewhat proven and your premise to be based upon sound scientific principle. They expect your research to be impeccable because they are expecting to learn something-in science. Part of achieving realism in your world construction is to use familiar symbols even in a world very different from ours. This permits the reader to make some kind of connection and therefore visualize a real world. Use of concrete terms is critical when describing an alien world. You need something real for the reader to pin their imagination on. The setting can be very alien so long as the tools to describe that setting are familiar. Once you've chosen a paradigm don't change midway. Keep your rules consistent. If you choose to build a world that is unrecognizable from ours, then the rules must be obvious to the reader so they can "ground" themselves in some way. If you don't do this you run the risk of losing the reader entirely.
Tying Your World to Theme and Plot
What's important to remember is that the world you build is part of the story. It isn't just a lot of "interesting" detail. The world you build, like a character in your story, plays a role in defining and supporting its theme. The major qualities of your world are, ther efore, best derived for plot and thematic reasons-which come from "story". The rest-the details-are things you can find in books, websites or get from experts in your local university, etc. Don't let science intimidate you; but ensure that you get it right by using your resources and verifying your information with an expert. Use your local libraries, universities, colleges, and online resources. Interview scientists, technical people and other writers. That's part of being a writer too.
More World Building in Science Fiction & Fantasy TopicsQuestion by burnfat: How does a Materials Science and Engineering PhD get into business world? Hi, I am a Materials Science and Engineering PhD student in a prestigious university in US. But I really want to get into business world after Ph.D. I am kinda confused what to do? Can anyone give some suggestions, like what is the baby step to really get started this dream? What is the advantage of materials science and engineering major student to do that? What is the disadvantages?For an engineering background student, what is especially important and challenging for him to interview with a business examiner?Thanks, guys. Best answer for How does a Materials Science and Engineering PhD get into business world?:
Answer by europeaninla
There are a lot of industries that can use smart people, but most of them would not let you use your PhD. An MBA might help, but you might want to talk to some adventure capitalists active in your field. (Check who has invested in some of the companies active in your industry). They would be looking for the combination of industry knowledge and business sense.
Answer by flingebunt
In some countries like Germany and Japan, many businesses are run by engineers. The way into business is to stay in Engineer but move into the business area. Engineering companies need sales people, managers and so on. Especially if you go and do an MBA, your salary can be very high and you will be in high demand in engineering companies. Your ability to get into the right job will depend on your previous work experience and your desire. Many companies will give you a go, let you prove yourself. So you can just approach companies directly and tell them that you want this sort of work. Don't try it through recruit agencies, as they will not be interested in you at all. They only want people that fit the job advert. The long-term approach is to work in Engineering and then talk over a period of years, get more into the business side of the work. Probably the first business area would be project management or customer service roles. Doing courses in project management, business planning and supervision can help you without going to the trouble and expense of an MBA.
Answer by OrangeKitten
Ph.D engineering? You definitely want to look into Quantitative finance. Not regular finance, mind you, but the hard number field of finance. You are immune from competition against most MBAs since they are incapable of doing the higher level mathematics required in this area. I suggest you pick up some textbooks in this area and start reading up, see if that sparks your interest. A very high paying, rewarding, career choice.
Answer by Yes I am here!!
it gets you nothing other than going back and being a teacher yourself.
Answer by xanadu
try to get into lloyds or any other quality certification company, they have a need for people who can check the quality of materials and products and issue certification CE, ISO etc. as per testing. I could be a job suitable for your profile
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