Westeros’ weather inspires political, scientific discussion
In the world of Game of Thrones, as in our own, the residents are forced to adapt to shifting weather patterns. Unlike our world, however, the seasons in Westeros are much less predictable. This chaotic behavior is engaging both on a scientific level (how is this possible?) as well as a political level (how do leaders deal with climate change?).
Two recent pieces tackle these issues: one from CNet’s Eric Mack, the other from Al Jazeera America’s Christopher Shay. Read on to find out more…
Eric Mack is operating purely on theory, and while it’s not perfect, it’s always intriguing to read people who are wrestling with the possibilities Game of Thrones presents, such as the irregular seasons. Mars is increasingly becoming a good case study planet for that, as well, though I don’t think George R.R. Martin was writing A Song of Ice and Fire with the John Carter series in mind. My favorite part is when he gets into the old “could life have evolved on Mars” discussion, pondering whether Planetos (the fan name given to the entire world of Thrones and ASOIAF, encompassing all continents both seen and unseen), with its acknowledged existence of magic, might allow for the evolutionary possibilities of direwolves and dragons and so on.
Al Jazeera’s Christopher Shay, meanwhile, tackles the environmental policies of the leaders of both Westeros and the United States. The thesis is that politicians are more interested in their own interests at the expense of the bigger picture — global warming in our world, neverending winter in Westeros. While Mack was looking at the possibilities of life on Mars and examining weather patterns of another planet, Shay combines analysis of the book and television series with a historical view of climate change to present a powerful comparison between the kings and queens of the fantasy world to the senators and figureheads of the real world.
Both these pieces are good reminders of the way that good stories can reach beyond the realm of imagination and affect our here and now. They are also good reminders of the old Stark words, forever etched into our cultural consciousness: “Winter is coming.”
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