Magic and Technology

[inkbrush76]

I've heard it said that in a world where magic exists, there can be no advance of technology. Most often I've heard this said in relationship to D&D. I disagree. I think that market forces would drive innovation, creating alternative, technologically based solutions to problems. Here's why

Comments

[electricpaladin]

You make a good point well, but I'd argue that you've neglected one major point: magic isn't all of these things in every setting. There are, in fact, settings in which magic is none of these things. Case in point, the Dragara series by Stepen Brust:

• Magic is expensive: Sorcery only costs as much as a connection to the Imperial Orb, which is something most middle class and up people can afford. It's akin to Roman citizenship, only cheaper. Witchcraft is as expensive as a knife, a chalice, and some incense - it's no more expensive than being pagan.

• Magic is unpredictable: Sorcery, through the Imperial Orb, is entirely predictable. Witchcraft somewhat less so.

• Magic is dangerous: Imperial Orb Sorcery is as safe as any tool. Witchcraft isn't powerful enough to be dangerous.

• Magic is arcane (the knowledge is not easily accessible): Witchcraft is a little arcane, but Westerners (humans) seem pretty happy to teach it to each other. Basic Sorcery is incredibly widespread and there are lots of people who are happy to pass on a

[al_rants]

An interesting idea I had once was that magic was technology, only the knowledge was kept secret from the common folk so that they didn't know how it worked, and even those who know how to use it don't necessarily understand why it works. Just as one example, what if the material components for a Fireball spell are charcoal, sulfur, and bat guano (to provide the saltpeter)? They've basically just created gunpowder, but without understanding what it is or how or why it works the way that it does. Thus, they claim that it's magic, and call it a day.

Obviously, there are limits to this idea, but I like the principle behind it. What do you think?

[electricpaladin]

Classic "Clark's Law" fantasy based on the old Arthur C. Clark saying about sufficiently advanced technology.