The Unsung: Part 2 with Daniel Greene & Hello Future Me
Aug 10, 2021
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Experts Daniel Greene and Tim Hickson discuss representation of indigenous cultures in media, exploring the New World vs. Old World concept, unique book trilogies, authentic storytelling, Native American representation in Horizon Zero Dawn, and highlighting unsung civilizations for speculative fiction.
Thorough research is vital to avoid offensive portrayals of Indigenous cultures in fantasy world-building.
Understanding historical contexts and regional differences is crucial for representing Indigenous cultures accurately in fantasy worlds.
Deep dives
The Importance of Research in Proper World-Building
Creating a fantasy world requires research to ensure accurate and respectful representation of different cultures. The podcast emphasizes the necessity of conducting thorough research to avoid offensive or inaccurate portrayals of Indigenous peoples and other underrepresented ethnic cultures. It stresses the importance of delving into historical contexts and cultural inspirations to create well-rounded and authentic worlds.
Defining the New World Perspectives
The concept of the New World is discussed in comparison to the Old World, particularly focusing on the impact of colonial experiences and historical shifts. By exploring how Indigenous cultures existed before colonialization and highlighting the defining characteristics that separate different regions, the podcast delves into the complexities of understanding and representing these nuanced historical periods.
Exploring Open and Closed Cultures
The podcast delves into the contrast between open and closed cultures, drawing parallels between Western mainstream civilization and societies that prefer privacy and preservation of their traditions. It addresses the significance of respecting closed cultures and the nuanced portrayals needed in world-building to avoid stereotypes and ensure authentic representations.
Challenges of Proper Representation and Appropriation
The discussion extends to the challenges of representing cultures authentically while avoiding appropriation and stereotypes. It touches on the need for sensitivity readers, ethical storytelling, and the pitfalls of overly idealized representations or negative generalizations. The importance of diverse voices in literature and the impact of accurate cultural portrayals in world-building are highlighted.
In this final episode of season 3, Taylor, Cathy, and Zaivy, are joined by our guests Daniel Greene and Tim Hickson for a chat about representation of indigenous cultures in popular media—especially (but not limited to) those in the area sometimes referred to as the "New World."
We'll be back for season four in 2022! Make sure to subscribe so you don't miss it when that comes out, and keep an eye out for more issues of Worldbuilding Magazine coming later this year to help curb the wait! We'll chat again soon!
This episode was edited by McKenzie Power and Monochrome (Andrey T.).
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