Flying
Ok, as I mentioned, the other day in a dram I was thinking about flying. Specifically about the sort of super-hero "think and you move thru the air" sort.
I've tagged this "geekery" because it's *such* a geeky thing to think about. And "writing" because they way I was thinking and the way in which I intend to explore the idea amounts to the sort of world building a good writer needs to do with regards to their world.
Starting assumptions:
It's possible to fly unaided.
The ability can be taught.
Without the first assumption, we don't have a post. :-)
Without the second we are dealing with a "unique" ability/situation. One which has had a fair bit of exploration.
So, now we need to define the ability a bit more. different parameters/limits will have quite marked differences in the resulting world or story.
First things that come to mind are "how fast?" and "how much?"
Being able to fly at walking speed will have results quite different than being able to fly at supersonic speeds.
Likewise, "how much?" as in what can you take with you also greatly affects the outcome.
Consider one extreme of "how much?". If people can only fly while naked, that is different from being able to carry a normal load, much less extreme loads.
I figure speed breaks down into a few logical bands:
"walking" speed
running
biking
car
very fast
Frankly, the "very fast" speed band requires *major* suspension of disbelief as well as a bunch of anciiary abilities or something. Flying at hundreds of miles an hour is going to require *serious* protection against wind, not to mention running into birds or insects. If you don't have inherent protection (would have to be some sort of force field or the like), you'll need *serious* gear Motorcycle leathers and helmet would be a bare minimum.
Walking speed on the other hand would be a curiosity but not much more. A strong breeze would make it difficult if not impossible to fly anywhere but downwind for example.
On the other hand, even this limited of a flight ability would cause major changes. Fences aren't a lot of use And those leash and harness setups for kids would be a *lot* more popular.
Sports might change or new ones get invented.
Flying at running speeds (but with less effort) would result in more significant changes. For one, it would take a definite wind or at least a strong breeze to interfere with your flying. Seeing folks flying up or downstairs in buildings with open core atriums rather than taking the elevator would be common.
At biking speeds, if reasonable loads can be carried, you'd see a lot of folks flying rather than take the bus or drive. At least on days with good weather. After all, you get a better view than from your bike and you don't have to park the bike.
At car speeds, buses and the like will definite get less usage except in really bad weather. Also it'd take a true storm for winds to be much of a problem.
Loading has effects as well. If you can only fly naked, and the max speed range is "walking", it'd be a curiosity, mostly seen at nude beaches and the like. At running or better speeds, you'll have more interesting forms of streaking, and lots more exhibitionists as well as folks having sex in the damndest places.
If you can haul pretty much what you can haul around on foot, and fly at reasonable speeds, commuting and backpacking will change a lot.
And if you can haul larger loads, the changes get even more ubiquitous. If only *some* folks can haul larger loads, they will have lots of job opportunities doing deliveries and the like. What would FedEx pay someone who could fly at say 60 mph and carry a few hundred pounds?
Burglary would get messier with most flying options.
And let's not even get into the legal messes flying would cause in *any* of the speed or load ranges. The FAA would go nuts.
Discuss.
I've tagged this "geekery" because it's *such* a geeky thing to think about. And "writing" because they way I was thinking and the way in which I intend to explore the idea amounts to the sort of world building a good writer needs to do with regards to their world.
Starting assumptions:
It's possible to fly unaided.
The ability can be taught.
Without the first assumption, we don't have a post. :-)
Without the second we are dealing with a "unique" ability/situation. One which has had a fair bit of exploration.
So, now we need to define the ability a bit more. different parameters/limits will have quite marked differences in the resulting world or story.
First things that come to mind are "how fast?" and "how much?"
Being able to fly at walking speed will have results quite different than being able to fly at supersonic speeds.
Likewise, "how much?" as in what can you take with you also greatly affects the outcome.
Consider one extreme of "how much?". If people can only fly while naked, that is different from being able to carry a normal load, much less extreme loads.
I figure speed breaks down into a few logical bands:
"walking" speed
running
biking
car
very fast
Frankly, the "very fast" speed band requires *major* suspension of disbelief as well as a bunch of anciiary abilities or something. Flying at hundreds of miles an hour is going to require *serious* protection against wind, not to mention running into birds or insects. If you don't have inherent protection (would have to be some sort of force field or the like), you'll need *serious* gear Motorcycle leathers and helmet would be a bare minimum.
Walking speed on the other hand would be a curiosity but not much more. A strong breeze would make it difficult if not impossible to fly anywhere but downwind for example.
On the other hand, even this limited of a flight ability would cause major changes. Fences aren't a lot of use And those leash and harness setups for kids would be a *lot* more popular.
Sports might change or new ones get invented.
Flying at running speeds (but with less effort) would result in more significant changes. For one, it would take a definite wind or at least a strong breeze to interfere with your flying. Seeing folks flying up or downstairs in buildings with open core atriums rather than taking the elevator would be common.
At biking speeds, if reasonable loads can be carried, you'd see a lot of folks flying rather than take the bus or drive. At least on days with good weather. After all, you get a better view than from your bike and you don't have to park the bike.
At car speeds, buses and the like will definite get less usage except in really bad weather. Also it'd take a true storm for winds to be much of a problem.
Loading has effects as well. If you can only fly naked, and the max speed range is "walking", it'd be a curiosity, mostly seen at nude beaches and the like. At running or better speeds, you'll have more interesting forms of streaking, and lots more exhibitionists as well as folks having sex in the damndest places.
If you can haul pretty much what you can haul around on foot, and fly at reasonable speeds, commuting and backpacking will change a lot.
And if you can haul larger loads, the changes get even more ubiquitous. If only *some* folks can haul larger loads, they will have lots of job opportunities doing deliveries and the like. What would FedEx pay someone who could fly at say 60 mph and carry a few hundred pounds?
Burglary would get messier with most flying options.
And let's not even get into the legal messes flying would cause in *any* of the speed or load ranges. The FAA would go nuts.
Discuss.