"Nemo" Development/ Brainstorming #8: Final Notes.
I've gotten a lot down here, enough so that I don't feel like I'm flying into this completely blind. For those just joining me, this is my final little jaunt into world building and exploration of the Earth, 500 years from now. It's a Post-Industrial, Non-Dystopian world, where most of the things we most fear nowadays have come to pass, and yet people are surprisingly OK with it.
So, this is just going to be little random notes that I want to include in the story. Little explorations of areas that I didn't feel would likely make it into the story, etc. For some mood Music, we'll go with Some more Folk Metal, but Non-European this time.
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XuFNG_Oj70]
American Forces around the world were completely abandoned at some point in the last couple hundred years. The plan to install American troops permanently became subcontracted to the point where the contractors completely stopped assisting and supplying the troops, instead pocketing the funds completely and leaving the troops with nothing. As a result, when things began falling apart, much to the regret of the Contractors, there was no way that they could fulfill their return transport obligations.
As a result, American troops have been forced to either adapt or die. In some places they took up the mantle of petty warlords, mostly wherever it was easier to bunker down than find passage home. Some legendary tales are still told about an unknown Unit that highjacked a contractor container ship and simply sailed home, to face prosecution for theft.
Russia and China have continued in their own ways. Russia by playing to their strengths of handling adversity, have some of the most effective Nakrotek in the world. China has likewise adapted, simply turning back the clock on their societal structure. (Which has a long track record and is not as dependent on technology to maintain.)
I've also been thinking about the tone of this story. While it's a lot of fun with a lot of adventure, I'm almost thinking I want to make it a Comedy. Or at least Comedic in feel. I would love to have that Douglas Adams or Harry Harrison feel where it is hilarious but also rather insightful as to our problems and how they are not being addressed. Yes, I absolutely want to do research and make it accurate, but at the same time, some of my situations are rife with humor, especially the concept of New York still being as New York as ever, despite the rest of the world being changed dramatically.
I'm just seeing far too many opportunities with Stuffed Shirts, idiotic bureaucracy and mocking my own relationships that I can't resist making this funny. So as an open Poly, I'm going to have to make at least one of the main characters poly and mock the hell out of my own dating life, etc.
I think this could actually work. I don't think I've ever seen a Comedic take on the Post-industrial world. Plus comedy is fun, the guy gets the girl... or the guy... or the girl and the guy and his cute friend... You get the idea. It brings a smile to the face, and the best things you can do at evil is LAUGH at it.
Comments
NaNoWriMo - Good Fortune to You
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If you have a chance, visit the over-50 (age) forum at NaNoWriMo if you decide to de-stuff some shirts. Needs a little spark there.
Strange that a harp of thousand strings should keep in tune so long
Thank you. Going to do my best.
I have already had 2 days where I almost didn't write, so It's going to be a battle against my self-hate to finish.
(I plan on getting GOOD pot this month.)
I do not pretend I know what I do not know.
Post apocolypse - war, climate change or both
Story line is interesting and could be used to discuss multiple social and environmental issues. Set 500 years in the future not sure how much you want to relate to current situations. Might look at an interactive climate change map for expected changes to the coastline and river cities. Prior to the cross country rail lines trade with China was faster than the east coast. Tillamook could become part of the China Maritime Silk Road.
Tillamook is an interesting choice. It has a small harbor and does not provide much protection for the boats.. The town is prone to flooding and surrounding area to mud slides.Downtown was flooded again this month. If cheese is part of the trade, I am assuming the wood ships have refrigerated holds to carry a heavy perishable product.
Newport, Oregon has Yaquina Bay, a larger and safer harbor. Boarded a reproduction of the drake that sailed into Newport in the 1990's. Large ocean vessels are able to currently enter the harbor.
Coos Bay, Oregon farther south is another good sized harbor and will probably survive an apocalypse.
Still yourself, deep water can absorb many disturbances with minimal reaction.
--When the opening appears release yourself.
Mostly it's climate change and neglect.
And thanks for the feedback on Tillamook. Coos Bay I've already decided is going to be one of the strongest Native areas, going with the historical ship construction there.
I was planning on having the area be a "Reconstructed" Tillamook for just the reasons you mention. Climate change has done a number on the entire coast, and I was wondering whether to rename the area or go with tradition. As of right now, I figured rebuilding would be important enough that there would be continuance of the name. Maybe "New Tillamook" would be appropriate.
And another reason I picked Tillamook is that I'm familiar with the timber industry in the area, as well as a few Hemp/Pot farmers. I figured since the traditional material of Hemp Rope and Sail would be extremely valuable in these times....
And thank you for a very important point which I overlooked. Electrical power for refrigeration is absolutely going to be a concern, and I need to investigate both traditional and modern methods to see if there's a way to do it appropriately.
I do not pretend I know what I do not know.
Looking it up, it looks like Ice is the traditional method...
And relies upon shore based packing. That adds a degree of immediacy to all shipments, and raises the stakes a bit, which is great from a storytelling perspective.
The advantage is of course that it can be done without much in the way of metals, and looks like it can also be done with a minimum of know-how needed to set up and maintain.
See, this is why I LOVE being corrected and have things pointed out to me. It makes me think and allows even further exploration of the world.
I do not pretend I know what I do not know.
Just checked the maps...
And did a estimate for 500 years ahead and a 20 ft rise in sea levels. (Which is slightly more than the current guesstimate of 18 ft.)
Tillamook gains a Peninsula and a Very nice Harbor, but loses the Original City.
Which fits in beautifully with what I envisioned.
I do not pretend I know what I do not know.
Glad the sea changes fit the story
The coastal range will limit access by land and interference from the other cities in the area. Looking forward to more glimpses of the story.
Still yourself, deep water can absorb many disturbances with minimal reaction.
--When the opening appears release yourself.
A good intention to go comedic
I finished a book recently about the first human explorers to Mars who inadvertently caused a global nuclear war on Earth and did not make it back alive. Bummer.
I have never seen Oregon. I have seen a few towns on the Mississippi and Atlantic coasts that have moved inland and uphill. I would assume 500 years from now adjustments would have been made. I suspect class had much weight on original uphill migration.
A fun exercise, thanks for letting us in!
Hey! my dear friends or soon-to-be's, JtC could use the donations to keep this site functioning for those of us who can still see the life preserver or flotsam in the water.
Some of my best writing is when I just observe things.
I have a rather dark sense of humor, and tend to be pretty dry on delivery, but it's GREAT for satire.
I'm hoping to tap into my snarky side, since it's been a while since I unleashed the venom.
I do not pretend I know what I do not know.