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Why is fantasy (magic, the force, etc) so emotionally compelling to many of us? Why is actually getting magic-like abilities from technology less profound?
I think this points to important unmet needs and failings of technology.
I think this points to important unmet needs and failings of technology.
The easy answer is that magic is a power fantasy: it would give one power or make one special.
But that doesn’t really ring true to me. I imagine magic being compelling if everyone had it. Conversely, not all fantastical powers I could imagine are emotionally resonant.
But that doesn’t really ring true to me. I imagine magic being compelling if everyone had it. Conversely, not all fantastical powers I could imagine are emotionally resonant.
Another possible answer is that we’re deadened to the wonder of technology and science. We’ve lost our sense of awe (see ). If magic existed, it might lose awe too.
I think that’s closer to true, but something is still missing.
I think that’s closer to true, but something is still missing.
I think the crucial thing is that I imagine magic as *humane* and *intimate*, while technology is often *alienating* and *distant* in practice.
The Force is compelling because who doesn’t want to be profoundly directly connected to the universe?
The Force is compelling because who doesn’t want to be profoundly directly connected to the universe?
I also feel like magic often gets at a desire for our feelings to *fundamentally* matter.
When I feel deep emotions, it feels as though they *ought* to directly affect the world, but they don’t. In many fantasy worlds, emotions are reified first class objects.
When I feel deep emotions, it feels as though they *ought* to directly affect the world, but they don’t. In many fantasy worlds, emotions are reified first class objects.
(How would the experience of life be different if rooms shook when people experienced severe grief or anger? If lighting and subtle sound effects were different around someone who is deeply serene or joyful? This seems physically possible.)
