attempt number twenty-eight ♻ (text)

[autophoenix]

So, I'm working on this, like, "For Dummies" guide thing for Earth and I keep getting stuck. I mean, for people like me who are from an Earth world, it's all kind of, you know, normal. I guess what I'm saying is I don't know what I should explain and what people don't need explained

Comments

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[deloreandriver]

Maybe explain the microwave and mention that things are powered with electricity without going into detail?

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[autophoenix]

Shouldn't you be, like, the expert of this backwards technology explaining thing? I mean, you're a time traveler, it should come with the territory, right?

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[deloreandriver]

I only really had to do that the once. Sort of.
Usually when it happens in fiction they explain things as they come up...

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[autophoenix]

Don't they usually come up in fiction through disaster of some kind? Like "oh, it would have been good to explain this sooner."

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[lone_defender]

It depends on who you're trying to explain it to, and what part and time of Earth you're explaining.

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[autophoenix]

I figured I'd go 21st century-ish since most people around here are from then. But there has to be some way to just wrap it all up in one general explanation ... thing, right?

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[lone_defender]

It still depends on how familiar they are with Earth, and how different their home is from 21st century Earth culture.

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[autophoenix]

I can't go wrong if I assume while I'm writing it that the person reading knows nothing about it.

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[intuitivelyapt]

Why not just let him learn as he goes along?

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[autophoenix]

Him who, exactly? This is for everyone's benefit.

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[intuitivelyapt]

I know what you're doing here.

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[autophoenix]

Obviously you don't know as much as you think. You know where assuming gets you?

[liberationis]

If you try to explain everything about your planet, you'll be stuck for a very long time.

Explain generalities. Do not bother with smaller pieces of information; explain what "electricity" is, explain the elements, give ideas of major countries and continents. Explain the magic of your world, not the individual spells.

If someone doesn't understand the fundamental elements of an entire painting, they can hardly understand the intricacies therein.

[autophoenix]

That's ... actually really good advice. I mean, the magic analogy's kind of lost on me, but I get what you mean. Thanks ... hey, you know, I don't think I've seen you on here before. Are you new?

[liberationis]

I am. I've only had access for a day or so. And it wasn't an analogy - I was referring to your world's magic. Unless you don't have any?

[autophoenix]

Magic-free. I know some worlds aren't, but most of those aren't Earth, right? I mean, except Camelot and that kind of thing.

I'm Claire, by the way. If you need anything, just let me know. I'll do what I can to help you out.

[traptinacoffin]

How noble of you. Try putting yourself in their shoes, and look at Earth from an outside perspective. What might most confuse you were you in their place is what should take precedence in your explanation.

[autophoenix]

That makes sense ... It's just weird, you know? Thinking about what I wouldn't understand even though I use it every day.

[traptinacoffin]

Weird is one word for it. I like to skip the explanations where I can.

[autophoenix]

Some people need them. If they're looking to learn, I'm going to do what I can to help them.