When we think of the fantasy genre, it’s almost always in a swords-and-sorcery way. Knights, enchanters and mythological beings dominate fantasy stories, whether in books (such as a Song of Ice and Fire), TV shows (such as Merlin) and video games (such as the Final Fantasy series). Even fantasy stories set in modern day often betray medieval influences (e.g. Hogwarts castle and the Sword of Gryffindor in Harry Potter). But is this always the case? Are there any high-profile fantasy stories that are not based on/heavily inspired by medieval Europe? Is the fantasy genre branching out into different cultures/time periods, and is this successful?
Great topic! I'm wondering if one of the differences between science fiction and fantasy has to do with this question that you're asking. Fantasy seems often (nearly always?) to look back to the Middle Ages whereas science fiction seems often (nearly always?) to looking forward and to the future. – JamesBKelley6 years ago
Urban Fantasy like Buffy the Vampire Slayer or the anime Bleach, could be a good reference for alternative fantasy! Both these shows have their roots in traditional (eastern and western) fantastical roots, but they adapt the old stories and concepts to the 21st century which is actually really refreshing. – Dimitri6 years ago
Interesting question. A quick Google search tells me that fantasy genre is primarily defined by magic or supernatural elements. I think that, because the Medieval age has been historically associated with witches, alchemy and whatnot, it's naturally become the basis of most fantasy stories. It seems almost inescapable, that relation between fantasy and medieval. That being said, the TV show Charmed includes morally good witch sisters in a modern setting, the show being a huge success. So maybe fantasy isn't necessarily medieval so much as it borrows medieval concepts, like witches and knights and whatnot. – Starfire6 years ago
I think mostly this comes from our association of magic with the medieval period a la Merlin/King Arthur, etc. But I think more and more we're seeing people with 'super powers' that we would consider magical in science fiction. This probably isn't the best example but Doom is a video game about space marines but involves opening a portal to Hell. I think much of this depends on how you define 'fantasy', but I would say this is definitely leaking into more modern sci-fi books, but perhaps we don't call it 'fantasy.' – tolkiensocietykc6 years ago
Discuss why social media negative or positive influence young adult’s self esteem
What examples of pop culture do you mean? Could this include YA films like Divergent and Star Wars and how this affects the psyche of YA? – Kevin8 years ago
This is a good line of inquiry, but really broad. Narrow in on some particular aspect of pop culture so you can build a better argument with solid analysis. – albee8 years ago
Hmm...interesting question. I'm now trying to think of any songs, movies, or shows that have impacted my self-esteem...I automatically think of "in a negative way" but I realize that there are probably a lot of things that have impacted me positively. I think focusing on one of these sides would be very interesting and much more effective. – skohan8 years ago
It seems like there is a distinction between pop culture and social media. You might want to pick one or the other. If you want to focus on self-esteem, social media might be a good one, and think about the idea of cyber bullying. It could come in several forms, but people on the internet are notorious for saying things that they wouldn't in person. – AbeRamirez8 years ago
I agree with AbeRamirez, the writer should consider selecting either pop culture or social media. If they choose the former, it would be worthwhile to discuss how role models, fictional characters, uplifting songs and films inspire people and make them feel more confident. However, these same things might also create an impossible standard, which most people are unable to attain thus making them feel inferior and less confident. If you go the social media route, you could talk about interpersonal connections fostering a sense of community that makes someone feel loved and/or respected in a way that's beneficial to self esteem. However, as AbeRamirez suggests, you could talk about cyberbullying. – IsidoreIsou8 years ago
I agree with the latter two comments. Targeting pop culture as it is would be too broad a topic. Since you've already funneled it down by using social media as an example, I suggest you just stick with that one aspect. My input on this is pretty much stating the obvious: more often than not, the effect is negative. More young people tend to compare themselves to others, resulting to low self-esteem and newfound frustrations. – Elizabeth Ruth Deyro8 years ago
This is a GREAT topic that is very prevalent in today's society. It seems as if one's self-confidence is becoming more dependent on the number of likes they receive. Bullying is also a growing issue here. – hmccraw8 years ago
I think social media is distinct from pop culture because the user is more directly involved with the former. When your post gets a like or a hit, it's a dose of dopamine, and when you go ignored, there's a sense of sadness, like you haven't been accepted. – ScottyGJ8 years ago
It sounds to me that you are blending social media and pop culture. Although they intertwine, there is a distinct difference. i think that you should talk about social media in reference, but focus on pop culture. – SamLuckert8 years ago
I agree with the former comments that pop culture and social media should be separated. In regards to the latter, I believe social media in today's society is largely tied to an individual's self-worth, which can be incredibly harmful. In measuring ourselves based on how many likes and comments we receive, we measure our worth based on others' opinions of us or attention to us. However, Isidorelsou raised a positive use of social media, which is when we can form friendships online that we might not form in real life, and how we build our real-life friendships through interaction on the internet. – melmollyrose8 years ago
Eliminate the words "pop culture such as" just focus on Facebook. Change "influences" to "influence." – Joseph Cernik6 years ago
What qualities of audiobooks do you feel are inferior or superior to reading hard copies? Do you think being able to use your hands or exercising while listening to a book is useful, or do you prefer the feel of holding a physical copy and focusing your vision on the words rather than on your surroundings?
I think the medium is very important here. Though audiobooks force you to follow at their pace, the added benefit of voice-acting creates a new way to experience the story. Audiobooks can be enjoyed in groups, while books are a solo experience. It's all about preference, and how you choose to enjoy the novel. – joshuahall9 years ago
I think most people would prefer the actual hard copy of a book. Sometimes, however, this isn't a luxury. If I'm driving, for example, audiobooks are great. – Alexis9 years ago
I enjoy reading a book first and the, if I really enjoyed it, listening to the audio version to hear another person's interpretation. I agree with Alexis as well, when driving or in the gym, audiobooks are great! – Catherine Conte9 years ago
I think it is impossible to divorce this topic from those who have disabilities. – rhettrichx9 years ago
I tend to remain partial to the antiquated form of reading. But, this article could tip the scale for either of both camps. Audio books certainly offer physically active people the liberty to incorporate reading into their daily activity. However, paper books offer pictures that amplify the reading experience, probably in the same way that voice actors can. It will be interesting to see how this dual themed composition evolves. – L:Freire6 years ago
Listening to narrations can be extemely useful when you're otherwise busy, or it can supplement your own simultaneous reading. I found this to be true especially when reading longer texts (like Uncle Tom's Cabin), as the combined audio and visual elements seem to enhance memorization. – LaPlant06 years ago
But this is all a matter of preference. What does it matter what I prefer or "think" is a better option for reading? – T. Palomino2 years ago
The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1975. While it won the prize in the Fiction category, the novel is based on the actual events at the Battle of Gettysburg (July 1-3, 1863) during the American Civil War. Shaara based his novel on what are known as After-Action Reports which various officers wrote after a battle. Ken Burns says the book influenced him, leading to his PBS series on the Civil War. Joss Wheldon also says the book influenced him, leading to his TV series, Firefly. How a novel can influence others in ways that extend well beyond literature is a topic to explore.
Definitely should explore intertextuality and Barthe's theories surrounding death of the author – Pamela Maria6 years ago
Is there fine line where spiritual beliefs and the observable natural world can meet? Both are part of humanity and helps shape the world. There is an effect and many do not agree to have both combined or integrated. Religion may be in peoples blood and culture, based on the life that is build upon. It helps find meaning that people are not just organisms that evolve from an insect or a grain of sand. The science part of it brings the engineers of the physical world. Science helps people to learn about the world. Discovering that which can be observed and also build peoples lives by learning about every degree and inch of the universe. A higher power may have fine tuned the universe for human being to live here. After readings and studying there are scientists like Albert Einstein, Stephen Hawkins, Nicola Copernicus that after they reach the limit of their studies, they believe of a higher intelligent mind. At a religious belief some say it is within people, God. Research shows that humans naturally want to know everything, that’s is why people question the world. There is a fine line where most people question a higher power. The world is a beautiful place and people are part of it. The belief of a greater power keeps many people grounded. Many scientists wish to fly within the clouds searching for something that is staring right back. Others are humble even within their intelligent minds to believe that someone or something is guiding the world. This is an important topic that sustains a mind to go within the parameters of people’s existence. The universe is an amazing puzzle and people are the chess of the world.
Interesting and always relevant topic, but it might be too broad. Perhaps you could narrow it down, discussing certain fields or aspects of science and religion? – Stephanie M.7 years ago
Generally I would agree with Stephanie's comments, as your topic suggestion reads a little like a mini-article in itself. Nevertheless it's an topical suggestion for a topic (excuse the pun), considering how crazy the human world is right now. I'd be careful about the Anthropic principle angle though as the assumption that we live in a universe fine tuned for humans is very one-sided. We could, just as easily, have evolved and adapted to the universe as it is - we are, after all, a highly adaptable species. Good luck with your science and religion class. – Amyus7 years ago
Updated and made corrections. – rghtin2be7 years ago
An essay can address where religion and science are compatible The Catholic Church's views expressed by Archbishop Gianfranco Ravasi, head of the Pontifical Council for Culture says evolution was discussed by St Augustine and St Thomas Aquinas. There is too much focus on the conflict of Creationism versus Evolution, because TV news shows like that. – Joseph Cernik6 years ago
This is possibly THE question of the last 500 years, big topics and marvellous to think about... Looking back through our developmental history - specifically to the point where moved around hunting less and started farming more, we see a significant separation occur. Human beings (unknowingly i think) started to pull back from the Animism of ancient times - that is, we are one with the natural world and energy of the land and animals is the dominant spirit to which we all return. Everything from this point feeds into the development and spreading of the religious practices as we know them today - what i find intriguing is that really, science is just another branch of religion with very strict rules around what is acceptable or not. Religion and science, as we know them at this very minute, are both looking to understand how we found ourselves floating in space on a massive orb like rock spinning around other orb like rocks with zero explanations except what we come up with. They are also unreconcilable in that science refuses to acknowledge anything that can't be repeated again and again by an experiment with equations. Science claims to be neither form nor against anything but they do manage to frame out consciousness, feelings our internal and existential curiosities i.e. everything we use to motivate, consider and do about anything, which coincidently are the very things that drive religious thinking. My honest belief is that they are both pointing at the wonders of the natural world and ultimately looking at the same thing, but they are reluctant to confess their thesis. You and I should always remember the thing underneath all of this that keeps us going - as you have already said is that the cure for boredom is curiosity and as some of us are now acutely aware, there is no cure for curiosity. Thank goodness for that. – MichaelHall6 years ago
Who are some fictional detectives from literature, television, or cinema who don’t get enough attention and adaptations? Why do they deserve more recognition? This obviously excludes Sherlock Holmes and Sam Spade.
A fine idea. To actually have a topic to write about you (or whoever wants to take the topic) would need to identify a couple underrated detectives and then identify the reasons they should get more attention. Perhaps it can be a compare & contrast setup; what does this detective have that Sherlock doesn't? What advantages does he/she have over Sherlock that warrant more recognition? – noahspud6 years ago
I would recommend including your criteria of what a detective is so that readers know what types of characters you will be including. – Sean Gadus6 years ago
You should look into Walter Mosley's character Ezekiel "Easy" Rawlins. He's definitely a character that doesn't get as much spotlight as he should. Mosley is a popular detective fiction writer and Rawlins is the main protagonist in plenty of his novels. You might want to consider Will Graham from Thomas Harris's Hannibal lecter series. – AbeRamirez6 years ago
Interestingly I don't actually know who Sam Spade is, so I would actually suggest that you could look at this topic and examine why some representations of characters is perpetually reinforced while others fade away in this genre. And that even when some take an iconic role for granted, this may not perhaps been understood or known by others. – SaraiMW6 years ago
Being the first one, Dupin is the most ignored. – T. Palomino2 years ago
Parents, well some of them, read to their children nightly as they were growing up. The inspiration each of those parents had was probably the same: To instill in their children a desire to read but, more important, a desire to succeed in life. Did those parents know, in advance, what they want to read, or do they just develop. what to read along the along the way? Maybe there are no specific books that transcend a parental era or generation, all that matters is anything that holds a child’s imagination. Parents simply want to see their children attentive and that motivates them to look forward to that next night of reading.
I think another interesting thing to consider is how does this play out on our digital age? Do parents find new ways to incorporate storytelling (e.g. audio books) or ignore it all together? – Pamela Maria6 years ago
What a great topic suggestion. I've often read to my godson (now 4) and am still pleased that in a digital age, he still enjoys books, in whatever format. He also enjoys it when I make up stories on the fly, including him as one of the characters. Let's hope children will never lose the simple pleasure that a good book can give. – Amyus6 years ago
Hearing of the story of the legends by the parents is a different thing, and reading about the legends or watching fictional movies is another thing! – PiMann6 years ago
It is a fairly well accepted concept that many artists and authors have used the animals around them as inspiration. For some it comes from the animal beside the heath, the pet that enriches the household. Others, such as Beatrix Potter, are known for embracing the wildness and the animals that inhabit the land. In some cases the animals involved are even considered to be humanising influences – an animal connection that keeps them grounded.
The suggestion for this article would be a look at the influence of animals on art and literature. This could be taken further to include the symbolic and allegorical role of animals, or it could focus on the anthropomorphic inclusions in their art. Or it could simply be a broader follow on from ‘The truth about cats and artists.’
I think an interesting way to go with this could be to broaden the argument to even encompass academia- for example, Derrida has several pieces that are inspired by, and even mention, his cat and "the gaze of the animal." Animal philosophy could be a particularly good place to start with an endeavor like this one. – ees6 years ago
I don't see the use of animals in fiction as having any limitations at all. Animals can be sources of inspiration, allegorical, symbolic, or archetypal--and many other things beyond that. I still remember reading "Watership Down" and being enthralled by the heroic and daring exploits of... rabbits. – WILLIAMLAURANCE6 years ago
