Poll: Magic vs Technology

[tippy2k2]

--EDIT --

I just noticed that all the "magic world" comments assume that it's a medieval setting. It is perfectly possible to have something similar to a modern society built around the principles of magic rather than science, where mages are the engineers, theorists etc. Jeez we could even have magic-powered mechs, travel faster than light to different star-systems on enchanted dragons.

I like tech, but it's hard to think of tech that magic couldn't do, so I'm going magic. I do suspect that this is a bitty ninjas vs. pirates though

I don't think it was the OPs intention but he gimped the magic option in his opening.

"would you live in an universe similar to dragon age or Fable where technology is more or less locked at the medieval level but magic is available"

The vast majority of popular magic fiction outside of a handful of examples have everyone in the Dark Ages (Middle Earth/Westeros/Hogwarts) combined with the OPs statement is going to point everyone in the "I got the flu; well I lived a long and prosperous 30 years so I'm prepared to die" direction of magic worlds.

 

[happyninja42]

Why must magic dictate a medieval setting?

Because in most literature it does dictate a mideval setting. Sure there is Urban Fantasy, but that's a mixture of the two, and the OP asked if we would prefer a magical world, or a technological world. He didn't ask if we wanted one with both.

Aside from Urban Fantasy, any time a book involves magic, it's smooshed into a mideval setting. It's just the stereotype, same as with elves and dwarves and orcs and all the other cliche stuff.

Based on the question asked by the OP, there is a distinct dividing line between tech and magic. Trying to have the best of both doesn't really answer his original question.

 

[Professor James]

Would you rather live in a world at the current and advancing technological level or would you live in an universe similar to dragon age or Fable where technology is more or less locked at the medieval level but magic is available?

It depends, if I choose Magic can I guarantee that I actually get to be a magic user? Because if not and I'm going to be some rag-wearing peasant shitting in a bucket and tilling a field for a living then forget it. But fire and lightning from my fingertips, I'd sign up for that.

You get to be a magic user

OT: I'm considering magic just because it seems to have less restrictions but medieval times seems like a real craphole and god help us if a megalomaniac becomes advanced in it.

 

[DanteRL]

I was thinking about Shadowrun here too. But even if we are supposed to be in a medieval world, it would evolve, right? I mean, technology is bounded by laws of physics, while with magic, we would be able to create whatever we wanted! Ok, some concepts like internet or computers probably wouldn't exist, but hey, plumbing? Why flush poop to the sea when you can send it to another dimension through a portal on the bottom of your toilet?

 

[Professor James]

Likewise, why must there always be a backwards social system with an absolute monarchy in place, and this is a good thing? In the real world, people use that sort of thing as justifications for invasion.

That is a good point, other government systems like oligarchies,republics, and even democracies have been around for millenia but monarchies are the only thing shown in universes like this. It is probably because like you said Tolkien and the fact that monarchies were the thing when a lot of legendary and fabled characters and stories were made back in the time period and setting.

 

[Jesterscup]

Ok, some concepts like internet or computers probably wouldn't exist, but hey, plumbing? Why flush poop to the sea when you can send it to another dimension through a portal on the bottom of your toilet?

Until one day you accidentally send it to the wrong dimension infuriating the rulers of said dimension ( lets call it sh'thole for comic effect ) and they break down the barriers between worlds invading for the grievous slight perpetrated against them. Yeah ok Sci-fi has the same issues... those klingons just wont flush ;-P

 

[Phrozenflame500]

Well, mass production, national healthcare, air travel, high literacy and education rates, democracy, secularization, civil rights, law enforcement...

Or shooting fireballs out of my eyeballs.

Huh.

 

[kommando367]

Magic because warping reality is loads more cost-effective and space efficient than creating/using individual machines for every individual task.

 

[Frankster]

Technology all the way, if anything it at least makes life more comfortable.

Living medieval style though? Oh gods no, magic would be just an escape from your grimey smelly life and even then, you better hope you're one of the privileged few that gets to be a magic user.
Dragon Age is a very sanitized medieval setting but even then, I'd much rather live in a sci fi setting then in that one.

Magic with a non fantasy setting a la Arcanum is something I'd like to see more off though.

 

[phantasmalWordsmith]

I feel its worth pointing out two things; both tests do not account for a time period and magical world doesn't mean non-scientific world. These may seem irrelevant but technology is a production of manipulation of natural resources with science to create advanced tools.

So if we lived in a magical world, does that mean there would be an automatic lack of technology? Would magic just become another field of scientific study?

If the option wasn't which one I'd live in, I'd say magical purely for the fact it'd be different to the world I currently live in. However, of course, final choice will be tech because its what I've grown up with and I'd rather not adventure out of my comfort zone.

 

[TallanKhan]

Would you rather live in a world at the current and advancing technological level or would you live in an universe similar to dragon age or Fable where technology is more or less locked at the medieval level but magic is available?

It depends, if I choose Magic can I guarantee that I actually get to be a magic user? Because if not and I'm going to be some rag-wearing peasant shitting in a bucket and tilling a field for a living then forget it. But fire and lightning from my fingertips, I'd sign up for that.

You get to be a magic user

OT: I'm considering magic just because it seems to have less restrictions but medieval times seems like a real craphole and god help us if a megalomaniac becomes advanced in it.

Oh hell yes... magic all the way.

And just to allay your specific fears, my rule will be one of benevolence and the people will worship me like a God... or so help them they will burn for it! Mwahahahahaha...*cought* *splutter*

 

[Dizchu]

It all depends on what properties your definition of magic has. Magic and the supernatural in general demand liberties be made on the part of the author, there is no consistency in its definition besides the circumvention of the laws of physics.

Beyond that, how would you even study it? If magic is indeed the circumventions of physical laws how would you test it and research it? If you could accurately predict the results of magical phenomena then that means rules would have to apply. What kind of rules? What dictates those rules? A deity? Trans-dimensional forces?

Magic has historically been used to describe phenomena that people couldn't comprehend. The invocation of the supernatural is the basis of pretty much every religion. It's something that works in fantasy and mythology but could not translate into the real world. There are natural explanations for everything, and what may seem to be magic would have to have some way of being physically measured.

tl;dr: What is a magic I don't even

 

[Imp_Emissary]

if Harry Potter is any indication magical worlds suuuuuuuuck

like sociological and cultural stagnation for one

EDIT: you know now that I think about it the Tevintor imperium from Dragon age (or Magesterium to be prsice) is starting to sound familiar to the Ministry of magic from HP

Not to mention that they still haven't figured out in-door plumbing. Plus, their "science medicine" is pretty outdated to ours too (just talk to the Inquisition's surgeon).

It'd be neat to shoot lightning from my hand, but I'd rather just plug my PS4 into a power outlet. ;p

 

[Thaluikhain]

if Harry Potter is any indication magical worlds suuuuuuuuck

like sociological and cultural stagnation for one

EDIT: you know now that I think about it the Tevintor imperium from Dragon age (or Magesterium to be prsice) is starting to sound familiar to the Ministry of magic from HP

Not to mention that they still haven't figured out in-door plumbing. Plus, their "science medicine" is pretty outdated to ours too (just talk to the Inquisition's surgeon).

It'd be neat to shoot lightning from my hand, but I'd rather just plug my PS4 into a power outlet. ;p

You can also shoot lightning from your hand if you have a taser. More or less.

 

[OldNewNewOld]

Why do people assume that technology would be available to the masses but magic wouldn't? How many of you have a Jet? A spaceship? A super computer? A submarine, all consoles + high-end gaming PC?
The technology available to the average user is just primitive compared to things the military and rich have. Going by that, a magic world could mean everyone can buy done spells (scrolls or items that have magical power infused in it and can be activate by everyone) but only the talented one could study, create and use spells form scratch.

Technology would limits your access to technology with money and luck.
Magic world limits your access to magic with talent and luck.

Furthermore, magic world doesn't imply medieval Europe. Realistically speaking, it possible to have a extremely advanced magical world where they use magic to power the devices. People that read the manga Magi - Labyrinth of Magic have seen how Magnostatt looks. Other that watched the anime Mahouka have seen a world where of magic with very advanced technology.

Also, magic usually follows a set of rules, meaning that could be considered science. The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes is technology. Technically speaking, magic is technology, technology can be magic.

I would pick to live in a magic world. A magic world can easily become a technological world. A technological world doesn't mean we would ever get the magical world because it would have the standard sets of laws of physics. Basically Magic = standard magic + technology. Technology = only technology. You get more from the magic world.

 

[Clankenbeard]

"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic"

To this I would add:
"Your ancestors called it magic, and you call it science. I come from a world where they are one and the same."

"All magic is science. You just don't know what you're doing, so you call it magic. And well...it's ridiculous."--Princess Bubblegum

 

[Clankenbeard]

Why must magic dictate a medieval setting?

Because in most literature it does dictate a mideval setting. Sure there is Urban Fantasy, but that's a mixture of the two, and the OP asked if we would prefer a magical world, or a technological world. He didn't ask if we wanted one with both.

Aside from Urban Fantasy, any time a book involves magic, it's smooshed into a mideval setting. It's just the stereotype, same as with elves and dwarves and orcs and all the other cliche stuff.

Based on the question asked by the OP, there is a distinct dividing line between tech and magic. Trying to have the best of both doesn't really answer his original question.

You got me there. I delved into the comments section and completely bricked the "locked at a medieval level" bit. So, please ignore all of my pontification about a modern magic world. I guess that will never be on the table. Why does the magic man always want to keep technology down? The magic universe will never know the wonders of the spork. They could totally bend it with their minds, but they'll never get the chance.

 

[happyninja42]

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You got me there. I delved into the comments section and completely bricked the "locked at a medieval level" bit. So, please ignore all of my pontification about a modern magic world. I guess that will never be on the table. Why does the magic man always want to keep technology down? The magic universe will never know the wonders of the spork. They could totally bend it with their minds, but they'll never get the chance.

Hehe, np. Personally I'd really like an Urban Fantasy setting, the best of both. I could have my magic healing powers like I've always wanted, and also be able to play video games online. Win Win! xD

But yeah, I'll take indoor plumbing and an average lifespan of more than 40 years any day, over being able to finger waggle spells if those are my only options. xD

 

[visiblenoise]

I voted technological, but I think I'm biased against the typical magical fantasy worlds. They were exciting the first few times, but it doesn't seem like people have been able to do anything very new with them.

 

[RedDeadFred]

I'd like to say both. I like it when there's magic that is rooted in technology or at the very least, has specific rules that must be followed in the story's universe. A good example of this is the sympathy system from The Kingkiller Chronicle. It has a very well thought out system of rules. Over top of this, is a more fantastical system of magic involving knowing the true names of certain things, allowing you to control said thing.

That's my favourite way to do it, but I like many other systems as well.