Science & Technology
From Tazlure Gaming System Wiki
There are many theories on the development of societies and with it the development of science, technology and civilization. What is intended here is not a rehash of the various Sociocultural Evolution theories, but instead give direction to the development of your setting.
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[edit] Science Level
Science does not equal Technology. Science refers to a system of acquiring knowledge based on scientific method, and to the organized body of knowledge gained through such research. Having acquired knowledge doesn't mean it will be applied in every day practice in society.
- Example: the ancient Greeks were fully capable of creating steam engines, windmills etc. and in fact did so as a kind of freak show to entertain audiences at court. These applications however were not economically viable in society and so never found widespread use. Slaves were the method of choice, anything other being too expensive.
Here are some questions to determine what kind of science your setting is capable of:
- Is it an oral society or does literacy exist? If so, how widespread is literacy? Is there a formal education system?
For a higher understanding of scientific principles it is important that knowledge can be stored and spread, with people continuing where somebody else left of. Knowledge can be preserved in the memory of one or more bards, but books have greater capacity. By having a formal education system (using books or oral techniques) children get a head start on gaining knowledge.
- Is knowledge respected in society? What place is there for scientists, both practical engineers and researchers?
Follow the money. If science is respected it will be well funded, with merchants and nobles deriving status from paying scientists to do research for them. Likely the field of science best developed will be one that is also profitable, and that might differ per society.
- Is it common practice to exchange scientific knowledge among scientists or are they well guarded secrets? Are there learned societies of scientists that promote science?
By sharing scientific knowledge each individual researcher doesn't have to start anew, and can simply pick up where another left of. It increases the capacity for scientific discovery.
- Is science mostly discussed as a form of philosophy, or is the hypothesis tested through a series of test, the so called scientific method?
Experimental science and applied science are separated by a very thin line, but both differ fundamentally from philosophical science. A society that discusses the ideal representation of something, the idea, can be very advanced (it was a school of thought among the Greek), but if it does not seek practical application as well, tested in reality, it will not amount to much (such as the debate how many angels fit on the top of a pin), as was the case for a period of time in the middle ages.
- How far developed is the existence of mathematics? What tools are available to assist with mathematical computations? Are lenses available? Other technical aids?
Tools increase the capacity of number of experiments that can be repeated, the number of computations done, aid in research or increase the capacity for the knowledge stored.
- How far advanced are theories of physics?
Think of concepts such as gravity, the three laws of motion, laws of thermodynamics, laws of planetary motion, electromagnetism, the spectrum of light, the speed of light, the relativity theory, quantum mechanics etc.
- Are there any theories in medicine, natural law etc. still in use that we now consider false?
Think of concept such as the earth as center of the universe, the flat earth, and Aristotles theory on the humors of the body.
[edit] Technology Level
In theories regarding the evolution of societies on Earth we know the terms
- Primitive
- Pre-industrial
- Industrial
- Post-industrial
These stages are very focused on western history and western concepts of civilization and may not help the creation of your setting, because alternatives are not considered.
The energy used in creating technology and/or keeping it moving and its availability, combines with the level of knowledge to create a whole set of possibilities. The various energy sources co-exist up to a certain level and are not always indicative of a civilization level, though they can give important clues. For each energy used you must also consider the science available and thus the discoveries made in technology. It is like the game Civilization. You will need certain steps in knowledge and discovery to be able to make the next step, however this does not have to follow the path of Western Civilization. The focus of society will determine its path (money will flow to those discoveries that are considered the most important by society).
[edit] Manual Labor
Often described as nomadic tribes or very primitive people, but also large societies mainly based on slave labour, if technology solely rests on manual labor it limits the output, even if scientific thinking can be quite advanced. Wood and iron can both be used, in weaponry, in engineering feats, but they will be small scale. Mainly it will cost a lot of time and sweat to produce materials. The products (pots, pans, swords) will be considered expensive. Either every man is self-sufficient or a division of labor has allowed craftsmen to appear. Small communities are likely, who give great detail to decoration and the finished product.
The exception as shown above is a society with a massive slave labor capability that is very inexpensive. If the cost of a human life is very low a society can go great heights even with this limited source of energy. On their part, slaves are less motivated to do well and so are likely to produce a lower level of quality products.
Some questions to consider:
- Does society have slaves?
- Is fire known?
- Is iron, copper or bronze used? The secret of steel?
- What are important survival crafts?
- What kind of weapons are the warriors likely to use?
[edit] Animal Labor
Often at some stage animal labour (horses, oxes) are added to the muscle strength of humans. This will increase the capacity and possible scale. Agricultural endeavours can expand to support cities because of its surpluses, and labor is freed to go to those cities and populate them. In the cities the craftsmen can further specialize. Feats of engineering will grow because they too can specialize. This means that especially in and around warfare you will see inventions.
- how available is animal labor?
- What is animal labor used for? Agriculture? travel? war?
- What is the level of mechanics available?
- Has the wheel been invented? the printing press? the sewage system? lenses?
- What form of proto industry exists? Think for instance of the production of wool cloth during the winter on a semi-large scale, or a pottery having enough journey men and apprentices to produce pottery for larger regions. What tools would such proto industry need?
[edit] Wind & Water
Wind and Water provide two important sources of energy in pre-industrial society, of course co-existing with animal labor. They need to be readily available in the setting to be used, but if they are things like windmills, watermills, sailing ships etc. can be used to expand both the capacity of the setting to produce, and expand their horizon because it cuts down on travel time. Ironically in a modern age it becomes the alternative energy source together with the sun.
- What kind of ships are available?
- Are wind and water mills used in agriculture? In proto industry?
- What other influences will the use of wind & water as an energy source have?
[edit] Steam
The use of steam supposes that previous sources of energy are more expensive and/or not so readily available. It of course also needs a considerable knowledge of the laws of thermodynamics and the production of steel & copper. With the power of steam factories really take a flight. It also becomes possible to go even faster by ship, and taking more people/freight. Transport by train now comes into view. In the vein of Jules Verne & H.G. Wells you can even go as far as steampunk, taking steam engines to their ultimate science fiction conclusion (whereas in real life it was short cut by other types of fuel).
Steam allows urban society to expand by a factor 100 because it enlarges the capacity for transport and production. It also increases the yield in agriculture and reduces the need for manual and animal labor, through use of machines for harvest, sowing etc. All this labor is freed up for use in factories. Steam in Earth's history is associated with the Industrial Revolution. Two important disadvantages: the size & weight, the coal needed. Remember that burning coal will lead to considerable pollution.
- What old techniques have become obsolete by using steam? Are certain fields in the economy hurting because of it?
- What inventions using steam are available?
- harvesting machines
- sowing machines
- train
- opening bridge
- boat
- lift
- factory machines, allowing among other things for big constructs made out of steel and bolts
See Also Wikipedia on Steampunk
[edit] Electricity, Gas & Oil
By its nature electricity is easier to use in technology than steam, though both sources can co-exist. It can and does co-exist with gas & oil, and in some modern cases become the clean alternative to it. Like with steam, societies can have knowledge about electricity (including static electricity, including how to store it in batteries, without seeing a need to use it in technology. Important markers are the knowledge of the laws of electromagnetism, knowledge of electric currents and the invention of the dynamo, leading to induction motors, telegraphy, radio, electrical light etc. By increasing both the power of machines and the capacity for fast and more expansive communications it allows society to work on a grander scale, as well as get access to information for a larger part of the population, raising the general knowledge base, and storing larger amounts of knowledge. To be used on any scale it needs a network for distribution.
With Gas & Oil we enter the modern society. It plays a heavy role in transport and production, and together with electricity in preservation of food. Space travel enters the realm of possibilities. It also may tip the balance of power on the planet into new directions, as societies become dependent on fuel.
Electricity
- How much is electricity used in society? Is it rare or costly, or readily available?
- How stable is the network of distribution of electricity? How regular are fall outs?
- What is used for communications? Telegraphy? Telephone? Email?
- What is used for mass communication? Radio? Television? Internet?
- What uses does electricity have in society (light, heating, machines, cars)
Gas & Oil
- How much are Gas and Oil used in society? Is it rare or costly, or readily available?
- How does society deal with the pollution produced?
- What modern inventions are available that use this energy source?
[edit] Nuclear
[edit] Fantasy Fuel
[edit] Magic changes the name of the game
Some people may disagree with this but it is generally accepted that in Earth's history there were no such things as magic or faith magic (wonders and acts of faith by the power of a god). So what if one or both of those supernatural forces does exist? What if there are paranormal powers that are generally acknowledged and used? It will have a profound effect on the use of science & technology, and it is likely that some of the inventions we only have access to in the last 2 centuries become available in a far less advanced society.
- How rare, how costly is magic? Are certain natural resources necessary as spell ingredient?
- How large is the wizard and priest community?
- Is magic generally accepted by the common populace?
- Can magic be easily combined with ordinary technology?
- In what way does magic replace the energy form your setting uses, or does it co-exist?
- Does magic provide light? Fire? Keeping things cold, warm?
- Can enchantments be made to last upon an object? How common and useful are such enchantments?
- What magical enhancements exist in weaponry, defence, intelligence? In agriculture? In (proto) industry?
- What magical means of transportation are there? What are their advantages and disadvantages?
- What are the magical means of fast communication? Is there scrying? Mindreading? Mindspeaking? Can you leave messages using magic?
- Can magic be used to shape objects, buildings etc? Is it used in architecture?
- Can spells and/or magical items be mass-produced? Can spells and/or magical items be used to increase the efficiency of manufacturing or mass production?
- What technology is available to detect or counter the effects of magic?
