This View of Life The Science of Imagined Worlds: Evolution and Ecology for World Builders - A conversation between Carlo Maley, Vaughn Aktipis-Maley & David Sloan Wilson
Aug 22, 2025
In a fascinating discussion, Carlo Maley, a world expert on cancer through an evolutionary lens, and his son Vaughn Aktipis-Maley delve into blending evolutionary science with fantasy storytelling. They explore how real-world biology can shape believable creatures and societies in role-playing games. The conversation highlights the importance of cooperation in fictional worlds, innovative tools for addressing social issues, and the role of interdisciplinary approaches in fostering empathy and collaborative futures through compelling narratives.
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Family Origins Of The Project
- Carlo taught Vaughn Dungeons & Dragons from age six and they later collaborated on worldbuilding informed by evolution.
- Their family discussions of evolution and RPGs seeded the owlbear and other project ideas.
Convergent Evolution Explains Monster Forms
- Convergent evolution explains why similar body plans appear under similar pressures across lineages.
- Owlbear-like traits could evolve from a bear ancestor adapting to snow with feathers and sound-amplifying skull features.
Design Creatures Around Fitness
- Think about fitness when designing species so every trait answers ecological challenges.
- Use survival and reproductive success to make creature roles and interactions coherent.
