From Science to Sci-Fi
Authors note: I started this with no clear idea of where I was going and found it nearly impossible to write. I've only just started trying to learn to write fiction and I was following the Niel Gaiman masterclass along with suggested reading. But the lockdown gave...
Author's note: Another short story, little dark, perhaps even a little lovecraftian. I've read Stephen King's "On writing". Excellent book, if somewhat harsh, guide on writing. As always do comment with any constructive criticism. I'm just starting out, so it would be...
As part of Neil Gaiman's masterclass on writing he suggested that you take a well known fairy tale and then put a twist on it. So here we go. My meagre attempt, but I'm going to keep trying and writing. Stops me from arguing with the real Trolls online....
How many languages should be taught or learned? Every member should strive to be bi-lingual or better. To speak another language is to learn another culture, to speak properly is to understand the mindset of a people and the no doubt necessary time abroad to master...
How should knowledge be distributed among the members and the public? Obviously there are various elements to learning: Obtaining knowledge : facts and details.Obtaining practical skills : Experience, work.Creating theories, improving existing theories. Members must...
How will age affect the process of entering the community? While in many entries there has been discussion of this there should be a clarity of what it means to 'enter' the community. In many communes, monastic groups around the world there are full-time members...
How will the hierarchy of the community be decided? There shouldn't be a huge hierarchy, any sufficiently complex hierarchy creates too many divisions between those elected and those not elected into positions of control. We are all different levels of our chosen...
How would the community grow over time? I would like to see the community only grow at a natural and stable pace that if correctly managed will have savings for hard times, provide for the members and prepare a fund for a future community .The rather elegant system of...
How would the community be viewed by a government? Which, to clarify means as a charity, foundation, enterprise, a Higher Education Corporation etc. etc. Due to the intricate issues of law dependent on the country that the community resides this is not easy to answer....
How should relationships and families be integrated into the community? The community, while sharing similarities with monastic orders has far more in common with a campus university or kibbutz. A working collaborative commune in which people will invariably fall in...
