How to World Build History

Summary

In this video, Jack from Stoneworks discusses how to build creative and realistic histories for world-building projects. He explores writing history from either a subjective or objective perspective, emphasizing the impact of mythologies versus realistic storytelling. Drawing inspiration from real-world history, Jack explains how historians craft narratives by selecting key perspectives and categories, and how world-building can reflect complex societal dynamics. He also delves into the interplay of trends and influential figures, offering insights into the psychology behind historical institutions and how power, perception, and problem-solving shape human history.

Takeaways

• 😀 History can be written from both subjective and objective perspectives. Subjective histories include biases, errors, and cultural context, while objective histories focus on factual recounting.
• 😀 Mythology and history differ significantly. Mythology often includes gods or powerful figures shaping world events, while realistic histories tend to be more human-driven and grounded in technological and social influences.
• 😀 Drawing inspiration from real history and other creators' lore is vital for building rich and engaging world-building stories. Real historical events and characters can be adapted to create more dynamic narratives.
• 😀 Historians write histories as constructed narratives, often choosing which details to include based on a specific perspective or methodology, avoiding the overwhelming inclusion of every possible detail.
• 😀 World-building histories should focus on specific categories like politics, military, economy, religion, and culture to make the narrative dynamic yet manageable. Avoid overwhelming complexity by sticking to 3-4 key categories.
• 😀 As history moves further back in time, the stories often become simpler, more legendary, and filled with myths and supernatural elements. Legendary events shape how societies view their past, such as the founding of nations or the creation of religions.
• 😀 Trends and movements in history build the foundation for individuals to act upon. 'Great man history' should be balanced with an understanding of large-scale social and cultural trends.
• 😀 The actions of individuals like leaders or religious figures can dramatically influence cultural movements, as seen with Jesus’ teachings, which were shaped by and later transformed the cultural context of his time.
• 😀 Institutions and people act based on self-interest and the psychology of the people involved. This psychological influence extends to political, religious, and social structures.
• 😀 History is often a game of persuasion, where institutions maintain power through belief in their legitimacy and traditions. People and institutions can lose their power if public perception shifts.
• 😀 In world-building, historical events, whether real or fictional, are influenced by the psychology of the people and institutions involved. Power dynamics and traditions play a critical role in shaping the outcomes of events.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video script?

The main focus of the video script is on how to build realistic and creative histories for world-building projects. It discusses different perspectives on writing history, the influence of mythology, and how historical narratives are shaped.

How does the speaker differentiate between subjective and objective histories?

The speaker explains that a subjective history reflects the biases, errors, and cultural context of the storyteller, while an objective history aims to provide a literal, factual account of events. Writing subjective histories offers more room for dynamic, personal stories, whereas objective histories aim for factual accuracy.

Why does the speaker prefer writing history from characters' perspectives?

The speaker prefers writing from characters' perspectives because it allows for the inclusion of mythologies, legends, biases, and personal viewpoints. This approach makes the world feel more complex, lived-in, and contentious, providing a more dynamic narrative.

What is the distinction between mythology and history in world-building?

Mythology is often imbued with dream-like logic, where powerful individuals (gods or aliens) shape the world with immense power and influence. In contrast, history in world-building, as discussed in the video, tends to focus on human actions, technology, and societal trends rather than divine interventions or fantastical elements.

How can real-world history be used to inspire world-building narratives?

The speaker suggests using real-world historical events, figures, and movements as inspiration for world-building. By drawing upon historical examples, world-builders can create more grounded and engaging stories with influences from diverse historical moments and figures, such as Shaka Zulu or poet-kings.

What advice does the speaker give regarding how to write a historical narrative?

The speaker advises world-builders to write history like historians do—by constructing a narrative, picking a protagonist, and choosing key events and categories (e.g., politics, military, religion) to focus on. This helps create a dynamic and engaging historical account that doesn't overwhelm the audience with unnecessary details.

How do historians decide what aspects of history to emphasize?

Historians decide what to emphasize based on their perspective and methodology, focusing on the most relevant or impactful details of an event. The choice of protagonist, time period, and categories of history (such as politics, religion, or military) shapes the narrative and determines what elements are included or excluded.

What is the concept of 'Great Man History' and how does it relate to the video?

'Great Man History' refers to the idea that historical change is driven primarily by the actions of influential individuals. The speaker contrasts this with the idea that history is also shaped by large-scale trends and movements, suggesting that individuals like Jesus, for example, can be part of larger social currents that shape history.

How does the speaker describe the role of power and self-interest in shaping history?

The speaker explains that both individuals and institutions act based on self-interest, seeking to increase power, stability, and influence. This self-interest, combined with the psychology of those involved, shapes historical outcomes. Power dynamics often depend on persuasion, legitimacy, and trust, not just physical force or material resources.

What is the significance of legendary stories in historical narratives, according to the speaker?

The speaker explains that legendary stories often emerge in the distant past or around major historical events. These stories are less about factual accuracy and more about how societies wish to view their history. The example of the American founding fathers illustrates how legendary stories shape national identity and how these myths can be contested over time.