22 Min Released Oct 6, 2016

Magical Thinking

Hocus Pocus. Abracadabra. Those words imply that magic is silly because it can solve problems far too easily. Fantasy novelists strive to avoid those types of situations when they design magic systems from scratch. Patrick Rothfuss (author of The Kingkiller Chronicle) explains how most magic systems can be divided into two camps: poetic magic and scientific magic. Tor critic Martin Cahill appreciates Rothfuss's work because he weaves both types of magic into his stories. And psychology professor Carol Nemeroff reveals why our brains are hardwired to believe in magical thinking. 

This is part 3 in a 6 part series on magic and fantasy.

Imaginary Worlds

Imaginary Worlds

A show about fantasy genres - how we create them and why we suspend our disbelief.

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