The Factory Floor

Worldbuilding Meta

00:24

0

Q: Was this resource question closed because of the word "best?"

I found this question: The best tool for drawing on (Google) Maps It's been closed as POB. Was that because of the OP's use of the word "best?" I thought software recommendations were allowed so long as they directly relate to worldbuilding and it would seem that something that could annotat...

Universe Factory

02:52

Universe Factory - Medium: A Worldbuilding Checklist

posted on July 03, 2018 by FoxElemental

When you’re writing a story and building your world, sometimes you fall short on how to build it. Maybe your story is lacking a little something, your descriptions are vivid yet your characters experiences seem two-dimensional. Here’s a small list of questions to ask yourself when you’re feeling stuck, arranged by (mostly) relevant categories. Source: http://www.projectrho.com/public_html/rock…

Worldbuilding Meta

0

Q: Should i give up on WB?

Creating a medieval fireball thrower weapon? My Question is valid....i guess. This website sucks. Nothing last forever,Do something about trolls or die wb,Trolls and reporters elite users are waste of biomass,nobody is perfect and im FUCKING TIRED OF THIS. Downvoters...i known im not popular ...

discussion support

Celestial Dragon Emperor

03:05

That last one, ouch

What's his deal?

Shalvenay

@CelestialDragonEmperor -- some people simply never adjust to the SO/SE model. I'm not 100% sure why.

Celestial Dragon Emperor

What a prick, tbh.

Asks a question and when they give him a good example he just goes "umm, your an idiot"

And then complaints that one of his questions gets closed out of his 55 in total

Celestial Dragon Emperor

03:21

It just looks like they never learned and just asked the same "what would this look like" questions

dot_Sp0T

07:23

@WorldbuildingMeta already deleted again :(

Secespitus

@dot_Sp0T Trust me, you don't want to read the whole thing...

dot_Sp0T

07:42

@Secespitus yuck you get access to it don't you?

I need 10k

or a hat

@Secespitus are you already working on the Questionnaire?

Secespitus

@dot_Sp0T Being able to see deleted posts can be nice - and it can be weird...

@dot_Sp0T Yes, at number 5, but got some things to do.

dot_Sp0T

I hope nobody minds if I nominate myself but not do the questionnaire immediately

dot_Sp0T

08:09

sooo, actually nominated myself - I'm nervous

Separatrix

10:07

@dot_Sp0T What's the worst that can happen? You might lose

Actually it's probably worse if you win, then you're doomed

Secespitus

10:25

@dot_Sp0T @Separatrix is right, if you win you can't complain. But if you lose you can complain all the time about how everything would have been so much better with you being a mod. :D

BTW @Separatrix, are you still planning on working on the draft at a later point or do you not want to post flat Earth draft from the Sandbox?

Separatrix

@Secespitus I've killed it for the moment, I'm a bit too busy to give it the attention it needs as a live question

Secespitus

@Separatrix Okay, I shortened it a bit. Just as a little info: comments under graduated/abandoned posts may be deleted to reduce the clutter in the Sandbox. For example for abandoned posts they may get archived to chat, but mods can't move comments under deleted posts to the chat.

If you would like to have them preserved to work on it later it might be a good idea to safe them somwhere or undelete and ask a mod to move them to chat. I tend to only remove my own comments, but if a mod comes across your post they might decide to purge the comments, leaving no trace of them.

Separatrix

@Secespitus No worries. You're getting enthusiastic about that Mod role aren't you :p

Secespitus

@Separatrix Not really, I have been enthusiastic about the Sandbox for a long time now.

The mentioned procedure is also relatively new, which is why I thought I'd mention it. Not that you suddenly start to wonder where all your comments went. Some people don't react well to comments being deleted without any warning.

Separatrix

It's tempting to put in a nomination, but I've been CS, First line, NHS reception, and a WoW GM. There's nothing I could be called or accused of that I haven't heard already and I possibly don't want actual responsibility for the can of worms

The deleted section of the Sandbox is already a handful once you can see it.

Secespitus

10:41

It's worse in the 2017-2018 Sandbox, but we had a very high amount of posts in the newest Sandbox already.

Separatrix

We have a relatively new user who has taken it enthusiastically to heart, not that that's anything to complain about, I wish more would.

Secespitus

Indeed. The Sandbox can help with working out some stuff, especially when you are relatively new or know that a topic could be difficult.

dot_Sp0T

I've got plenty exp as a DM and as teamlead in student projects - should I add that?

Secespitus

@dot_Sp0T Why should I be a mod? Easy: I know how to keep 'em Murder Hobos in check.

dot_Sp0T

harhar

I can't even bring the argument that I speak german

Separatrix

10:55

Anything where whatever goes wrong is entirely your fault regardless of whether you had any power over it and now everyone is blaming you is good experience

Secespitus

@Separatrix Sounds like a normal day at work

@dot_Sp0T I just participated to invalidate that argument of yours. ;)

dot_Sp0T

@Secespitus how German of you

Secespitus

@dot_Sp0T I am a full-fledged German after all

dot_Sp0T

@Secespitus Ja. A Meister of Unfug.

Secespitus

@dot_Sp0T Sounds like another reason to be a mod.

Separatrix

11:00

Mods aren't allowed to post sarcastic comments though

Secespitus

@Separatrix Tell that to the Snorter of Beverages

dot_Sp0T

@Separatrix Have you told @James yet?

Secespitus

@dot_Sp0T :D

dot_Sp0T

@Secespitus high five

Separatrix

@James isn't that bad, at least not where too many people would notice

Secespitus

11:07

@Separatrix I think we were both referring to the main chat, not main or meta.

Separatrix

Chat rules are different :)

dot_Sp0T

12:48

chat rulez

Worldbuilding Meta

13:06

3

Q: Where can I find details on the election process?

I find it quite weird that I am having such a hard time finding details about the moderator election process. Everything directs somewhere else, but I find barely any answers to my questions. The only information I could gather is mostly from the election posts and one other question someone as...

support election

AndyD273

13:45

@Hosch250 Feel free to play along. I've just been posting when I get time/an idea, so if you want to bring back some of those threads that's cool. I've been thinking they would run into the other groups (attackers and friends) fairly soon, especially since the next challenge is in a fixed spot, so everyone would have to show up there eventually

Hosch250

I'm thinking about having Jarilo be a woman. As it is, Nairahdul seems out-of-place as a single woman along with 5 guys.

FoxElemental

14:01

Hello

Hosch250

Hi.

AndyD273

@Hosch250 Sounds good to me. I've been thinking about that a bit, trying to figure out how to add another character in. I had forgotten about those character

Kepotx

14:19

Hello everyone

I've got a little question, not sure if it's important enough to ask it on meta

I just answer to one question about how the world would be diferent if super heroes exists, and in his question, he say that "Approximately 1% of humans have one or more super powers, and 1% of them are fully aware of their powers. [...] Finally, 1% of that 1% (or one in a million) have the inclination and power set to be full time super heroes/villains

I just answer saying that this numbers are low, and every nation would try ti increase them (by detecting super powers or giving them work)

the thing is, I don't answer to this question, is my answer off-topic ?

also, if I answer, I would answer with higher numbers, and not the one in the question. would it not be off-topic as well ?

AndyD273

@Kepotx Could be. Can you adapt your answer to use their numbers, then explain why you think their numbers are low, and then answer the question you think it should be answered?

Like, @dot_Sp0T has a question about train pirates robbing other trains. So my answer started out saying "why would you want to be confined to the tracks instead of coming along side in a vehicle/horse like the good old days of train robbery. But to answer the question you asked...

Secespitus

@Kepotx What you seem to want to do is often called a frame-challenge where you challenge the premise of the OP. These can be useful if you explain why the premise flawed and how a different approach might yield a better result. Also keep in mind that often here on WorldBuilding "running with the premise" is an important part. Sometimes you can write an answer like "With your numbers we would have to stop at this point. But if we assume x and y then we can further explore this idea."

It's used rarely, but we have a Sandbox for answers, too, if you have a draft and would like someone to take a look at it before posting on main.

AndyD273

And there could be a reason the author wants the number to be so low.

HDE 226868

14:50

If anyone was looking for something truly terrifying today:

A volcanic "dirty storm": twitter.com/iamshinerk/status/1013365513659904000

Hosch250

@HDE226868 Ohhhh, volcanoes are now extremely high on my list of things to see.

Gryphon

15:05

@Hosch250 I'm not actually sure I'd like to be close enough to see that thing.

James

15:22

@dot_Sp0T Huh, what?

@AndyD273 I don't see a nomination from you yet.

Hosch250

@Gryphon Bet you could see it from many a mile away.

I wouldn't want to be in that thing, though (although that would be cool too).

dot_Sp0T

15:55

@James you again?

Gryphon

@Hosch250 I'm still not sure I want to be within 10 miles of that thing.

Hosch250

@Gryphon I think he's farther than 10 mi out?

Maybe not, that's pretty far.

He could be using a zoom lens, though.

Gryphon

@Hosch250 It's about 16 km, so I'm betting he's within that radius of it.

Hosch250

Either way, 10 mi seems like a safe enough distance. I wouldn't mind it.

Yeah, it sounds more/less about right.

James

16:39

@dot_Sp0T Someone summoned me. I was napping. It had better be important.

dot_Sp0T

@James urgh

Gryphon

@James We all quake at the wrath of the Prophet of Glarnak, may he live forever, and not smite us with the terrible fires of sarcasm, nor destroy us with the hammer of modship.

Ash

17:33

@HDE226868 All ash columns have internal lightening storms, the particles build up high voltage static charges as they travel through the air until they arc to ground. I'm amazed this is news to anyone, then again I always forget that people live places where they can't see volcanoes from the kitchen window.

Gryphon

@Ash Wait, where do you live?

Because I can definitely see a grand total of 0 volcanoes from any of my windows.

Hosch250

@Gryphon Same here in MN.

@Gryphon He lives in the Shire.

Gryphon

@Hosch250 Wait, what?

Hosch250

@Gryphon You know, the Shire. Bagginnssss.

Gryphon

@Hosch250 Also, is it sad that I had to look up that abbreviation?

Hosch250

17:37

@Gryphon Yes.

Gryphon

@Hosch250 Umm, that place doesn't actually exist though. Unfortunately.

Hosch250

Especially considering you are next-door neighbors.

Gryphon

@Hosch250 Sorry, you guys have got like 50 of them.

Hosch250

@Gryphon :P

Gryphon

@Hosch250 Umm, do you know what, for example, the capital of New Brunswick is?

Hosch250

17:38

@Gryphon No :)

Gryphon

@Hosch250 Point made. We only have 10 provinces (and 3 territories).

Hosch250

LOL.

AndyD273

@James Went camping over the weekend, and have been getting caught up again, but I have started filling it out.

Gryphon

@Hosch250 Also, it's Fredericton

Hosch250

@Gryphon Thank you.

FYI, the capital of MN is St. Paul.

Ash

17:42

@Gryphon I'm in New Zealand, I have limited views of Ruapehu etc... but my mum and sister have much better ones.

Gryphon

@Hosch250 I didn't know that, but, once again, you have 50 of the things.

Feeds 4026

0

A: Sandbox for Proposed Questions

What required secondary powers does my speedster need to be able to accelerate at 2,250 ft/s2 without harmful effects? Set in the same world as this question, but not directly related to it. I have a speedster character whose top speed is Mach 2. She holds back a lot of the time, but at full ti...

Gryphon

@Ash Ah, I understand the "he lives in the Shire" comment now.

Hosch250

@Gryphon Don't know all them myself anymore either.

@Gryphon Technically, he probably lives in Gondor, since he can see a volcano.

@Ash Do you?

Ash

@Hosch250 Certainly in Middle Earth but most of the film locations are a good 3 hours or more from where we are.

Gryphon

17:45

@Ash New Zealand is high on the list of places I want to visit. It's a beautiful country.

Hosch250

@Ash Probably a good thing. Bloody tourists and all.

Unfortunately, I may well end up being one myself, because ^^

Also, BBIAB.

Gryphon

@Hosch250 Wait, what?

Ash

@Hosch250 We get our fair share still but most of them are passing through, we're a night stop for a lot of people travelling around the North Island but mainly we're a university town.

@Gryphon I wouldn't live anywhere else I can think of given a choice.

Hosch250

18:02

@Gryphon Be Back In A Bit.

Went on a walk in the rain :)

Ash

@Hosch250 Always fun if it's warm enough.

Hosch250

@Ash Yep. Not really cold, and not too wet, either.

Ash

@Hosch250 Yeah I won't be doing that for fun down here for at least a couple of months.

Hosch250

@Ash How cold does it get in your area?

Ash

@Hosch250 At it's worst usually -2 or 3 degrees Celsius, there are places within a couple of hours drive that get much worse -10 or lower, at the moment we're in single digit overnight lows that feel like they're sub-zero because the humidity is way up in the 80s or 90s.

Hosch250

18:17

@Ash Standard over here in January-March is about -12 C or lower.

Last year, there were 2-3 weeks where it was about -23 C when I'd go to work, and I park outside. BRRR.

I suppose you get hotter than us in the summer to make up, though?

Or does the ocean help with that some?

Ash

@Hosch250 Ah continental climate at it's worst. We get to the 20s in summer, occasionally even the high 20s but the maritime climate keeps things from getting too extreme, mostly. The problem is that the humidity is 80-90% relative almost all year every year so it always feels hotter or colder than it really is.

Hosch250

@Ash Oh, that would be horrid.

That's almost like taking a walk in the rain at those temperatures :(

Does it cause a problem with molds?

Ash

@Hosch250 I hate it because the area I was born in is one of the few places in the north island that has really dry summers so it can be 30 odd degrees and feel like it's still in the 20s. Major mold issues, especially in winter but it never really stops growing even in summer.

Hosch250

I read a book about a missionary group in the Philippines, I think, and they talked about how the mold would grow on their feet and make the skin slough off.

Ash

@Hosch250 Yeah we don't usually have that issue because the cold kills those kinds of molds but mold in the buildings is chronic.

Hosch250

18:29

How do/did the native peoples deal with that kind of mold, I wonder?

Were they just somewhat immune to it, the way Europeans got somewhat immune to Smallpox?

James

@AndyD273 Good :)

Hosch250

Is it possibly because they didn't wear shoes, so the mold was less trapped?

AndyD273

@James Is the outgoing mod a secret?

James

@AndyD273 No one is outgoing actually.

Workload has just gone up as the site gets bigger.

AndyD273

Ah, cool. The current mods are pretty good, so not losing one is nice.

5

Ash

18:33

@Hosch250 Lack of enclosure rarely hurts in these things, the natives probably had the same issues but knew how to treat them with local ingredients where the missionaries tried praying at their sores instead.

AndyD273

I just can't think of anything off the top of my head that I'd change about the help center...

HDE 226868

@AndyD273 Thanks. Although I'd settle for "Mostly harmless", honestly.

Hosch250

@Ash At WWII level, they weren't that dumb.

They were using what anti-biotic ointments they had.

AndyD273

@HDE226868 Well, that too

Ash

@Hosch250 You'd be amazed, there was a crew this century who got lost and eaten in the Amazon, with full GPS Sat Phone etc... less than 20 miles from a main highway. Yeah with a fungal infection antibiotics and antiseptics won't help that's a common error.

Hosch250

18:38

@Ash Eaten? That sounds, umm, interesting.

Who did the eating?

Also, GPS may or may not work in the jungle. Heck, it's iffy in the US national parks.

Ash

@Hosch250 The wildlife did the eating I believe but after they were dead of variously plant and animal poisonings and dysentery.

Hosch250

Ah. Because I didn't think cannibalism was an SA thing. More pacific island-thing from 200 years ago.

Ash

We have GPS issues here but I'd always been told they were because of the orbital alignments favouring the norhtern hemisphere rather than anything else.

Hosch250

@Ash That, and perhaps because the signal is literally blocked by the curve of the earth as you get closer to the poles.

That's why it's so sketchy in mountains, too--there isn't a clear line of sight to the sat.

AndyD273

@James Posted

Ash

18:45

@Hosch250 Yeah I have heard of cannibalism still being all the rage in Papua New Guinea but not so much the Americas since the Aztecs folded up. I did exactly one anthropology paper at university and I read about a group of missionaries in central or south america who convinced the tribe that they were trying to convert that they needed to be sacrificed to appease the tribe's new God that was impressively stupid.

Hosch250

In other words, they were trying to make heroes of themselves?

Ash

@Hosch250 From memory the tribe claimed the missionaries were guilty of the sin of pride and given the disasters that came with relocating the tribe to the mission station they thought God was angry at them for listening to these prideful men and they stoned them to death.

Hosch250

Oh. I thought you meant the missionaries deliberately persuaded them to kill them.

FoxElemental

@Andy I see the questionaire filled out, but not the nomination. Are you nominating yourself?

Hosch250

Yeah, I can see their point about pride.

Although, the anthropologists had better watch out, because they are pretty full of pride too :)

James

18:55

@AndyD273 Succint. I like it

worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/election?cb=1

you need to nominate too

AndyD273

@James Yeah, just found that page. Working on it

Ash

@Hosch250 No I don't think they did it on purpose they just failed to understand the people they were talking to and what they were taking from the missionaries teachings.

AndyD273

19:08

@James Alright, now that's fixed...

FoxElemental

19:20

Okay . . . now looking not only for editing advice but also plot/character advice, to anyone willing. It's this Medium/Universe Factory draft (It's a first draft, so know that it's horrible.)

AndyD273

While I was driving to work today I had an idea about a neat natural progression of self driving cars, machine learning, VR, and robotics...

Ash

@FoxElemental I looked but you don't want my advice.

AndyD273

Self driving drone police cars that patrol while a combination of machine learning and trained humans look for activity to flag. Officers can jump their view from car to car using VR, take over if they really need to, respond to flags, or just cruise. If they need to make a stop then a remote robot can be deployed from the cruiser, so that the controlling officer can approach and talk to the driver.

It would let the police cover a lot more ground without having to worry about manpower shortages, and it solves most of the police brutality issues by having all of their feeds recorded and logged all the time.

FoxElemental

19:35

@Ash why not?

AndyD273

@FoxElemental I'll have to take a look at it later when I have a little more time.

FoxElemental

@dot_Sp0T you should fill out the Candidate Questionnaire on Meta to show people why you think you should be a mod/what your position on certain topics are

@Andy thank you. Any advice appreciated, at any time.

Hello, @Renan

AndyD273

@Hosch250 If you want to steer the story-go-round a little more feel free. You seem to have some ideas, so I'd be happy to see what they are.

I don't want to step on your toes

Ash

@FoxElemental Because I'll tell you to start again and this time do it in a style that's actually readable, I have a personal peeve with that particular formatting.

Hosch250