Science and Technology vs. Nature

[todd]

The tensions between Gunnerkrigg and Gillitie are clearly a manifestation of a familiar theme in modern fantasy and science fiction: science and technology vs. nature.

Usually, when this theme appears in fantasy, the forces of Nature are portrayed in a favorable light and the forces of Technology as the antagonists (the Ents versus Saruman in "The Lord of the Rings", for example). Here, however, the sides are reversed. Kat, one of Annie's closest friends (and a popular character in the webcomic) is an eager scientist who's constructed such things as anti-gravity machines. Robot is also a close friend of Annie and a likable figure - and he's a product of technology. The robotic Tic-Toc birds save Annie's life (if maybe not in the most competent fashion).

Ysengrin, on the other hand, the person most likely to be described as a champion of Nature, is clearly a dark and ominous figure. He's clearly itching for a fight, and is not above using duplicitous schemes (such as manipulating Robot or engaging in a cover-up - both literal and metaphorical - with a "deceased" Tic-Toc bird) to bring one about. He's short-tempered and seems to be only barely sane any more. Gillitie itself seems to be getting darker as well (that must be why Shadow2, initially so desperate to return to it, later on decided to go back to the school with Annie).

Obviously, this isn't a complete reversal (Gunnerkrigg, a seat of science and technology, clearly has many secrets that its operators don't want Annie or others knowing about, and isn't entirely trustworthy; and if Shadow2 and the Kershaws are any indication, not all of Gillitie's inhabitants are bad), but it certainly makes a difference from the way the conflict is usually portrayed in fantasy stories.

[edzepp]

Ah, Todd. Master of insight as always. Thank you for another fine analysis. I tend to think in terms of characters and story when I'm reading these things, and less on themes, so it's always nice to read your posts and go: "Huh, I didn't see that before."

In terms of Science vs. Nature in this comic, I'm thinking that the pros and cons of either side will balance each other out at some point. (echoing your analysis.) It's usually more interesting that way than to have a clear good/evil line. Makes for more interesting conflicts. That said, it's always refreshing to see an author play with an audience's expectations and make it work so well. That's why I love this comic.

[Tenjen]

Well really technology is a mock of everything that occurs in nature. Only difference is its constructed by sentient beings. Science is a study of nature, we learnt how to harness products of nature in our own way with it.

Its just like in real life. This hatred between idealogies [nature and science here] is all just a ruse [spelling?] for the peons to believe in and fight for, and a tool for those in power to control their peons and exert influence.

And ussually theres more than one such person on both sides. And some not part of either of them but still after something none the less.

So one must wonder that not only whats the charector of the conflict between those of nature and those of tech but whats hidden behind the veil of the conflict between them?

And Coyote doesnt seem to be a one to care, he's the perfect example of what iam talking about. But hell, he is THEE trickster.

One thing about conflicting idealogies. At their foundation, their both the same thing, but this is unrealized by the vast majority, who block out and refuse to explore the very possibility. The trick is to establish illusions in both sides minds that they are indeed different and conflicting.

It doesnt need a whole load of work. Just a little something at the start to send it rolling. AFter that it gains its own velocity [not the word i was looking for but close to it]. Even if the leaders and others who created it die [either because of it turning on them or not] it continues to roll forward and snowball.

[cenit]

Umm, interesting question that it's brought here. It's true that we tend to show the science side as "bad" (pollution, mad scientist, laser guns, etc.) and the nature side with a good light.

I think that as our real world goes, we have neglected the nature part of our world, which is a necesary (vital) part of our own survival. Many stories that go that way try to show this (thinking of an Anime called Arjuna is anyone saw it) and try to wake up the conscience that we're killing our planet.

Of course, that doesn't mean that science is bad; on the contrary, is a very good thing to have and a great acomplishment (spelling) of ours as a race.

BUT, the problems arise when we try to control one of the other to fulfill personal agendas; I think Y's falls into this category, making him the most likely antagonist in the comic, so far.

More than a Science vs Nature struggle, is a fight bewteen sentient beings, each own with their own interest and ideas about the world. Just so happen that Annie is at the court instead of Gillite (hey, what kind of animal you think Annie could be ;D)

[nikita]

edit: this post has gotten a bit off topic

Science is power and should not get into the wrong hands. The problem is that few people can handle power well and act responsibly. This is because we don't evolve nearly as fast as the technology we use and our character/intelligence hasn't improved the last few thousand years.

Example: War. Everybody knows that war is the worst thing that can happen and none of the parties involved can actually win for there will always be losses on both sides. "They might have that kind of weapons, let's invade them." WTF?! If I'd be a leader of some country, I would not begin a war because of blurry satellite images and vague assumptions.
Human history is a history of war and warfare. After WW2, one might think humanity has learnt the lesson. It hasn't. Men still aren't thinking rational.

"Technology vs. Nature"
Nature will always win. Example: Cars and driver assistance systems. We might keep a lot of control over a car even at high speeds under bad conditions. But if we go too fast and exceed a certain limit, we will lose control and the laws of physics/nature will send us into that tree - no matter what we do.

[Mezzaphor]

In-comic, I think the line dividing the nature and technology sides is a little fuzzy. The Court has patches of nature, like Annie's bonsai class from chapter 4, the room with the cherry tree, and the lawn from the last chapter, even though they're definitely subject to the control of the tech side. Ysengrin isn't above twisting technology towards his own ends, like when he arranged for Robot to get possessed, or when he planted that TicToc on the riverbank.

The TicTocs themselves are straddling the line: They look for all the world like birds, until you cut one open and see it's a robot. And they grow in the ground like a mechanical plant. We don't know which, if any, side of the Annan they're aligned with.

My prediction is that these lines will continue to get less distinct, and the end of the comic will see the Court and the Wood unified -- a mutually beneficial tech/nature synthesis. (Though relations between the Court and the Wood will likely get worse before they get better.)

[Count Casimir]

Good call on that, Mezz. Of course, now that you've said that we're going to finish with a full-on nuclear holocaust loosing its full brunt upon the fragile woody bits of Gillitie.

Excellent analyses, this has given me something new to think about. It seems like the comic might possibly move in the direction of showing the good and bad of both sides; after all, the path is open for Annie to cross the Waters and find out about the Gillitie side of things. Of course, blindly trusting Coyote is probably not the wisest course, but there'll be others to talk to (and avoid, like Grinny).

And then there's the Tic-Tocs, as Mezz said; they seem like the most versatile components of this little skirmish.

[Tenjen]

A third party so to speak.