After watching the movie John Carter, I read some background
material on its sources and watched the extras on the DVD, as I was really
curious about the world building aspects of the movie.
It seems the original creator of the story sequence, Edgar
Rice Burroughs, became interested in the scientific discussion in the early
1900’s that the markings on the planet Mars represented dried up waterways and
rivers. His imagination began to explore what the edge of that decline could
have looked like. What or who could have lived on Mars before the water
disappeared? He drew many maps for the world he named Barsoom based on that
scientific premise. Some of them can be seen on Google.
It reminded me that many of our own civilizations began
alongside major rivers. Until mankind learned to harness water, he had to live
beside it. Even now, those who live near plentiful water supplies do not really
understand the value of water to those who do not and their deprivation as a
result.
Our own oceans have a circulation system that circles the
world. One source refers to it as a conveyor belt. This complex unseen map system
circulates heat and nutrients throughout its pathways. All countries would be affected
if the system broke down. Air currents and migration paths are other unseen
maps ready for exploration. Regardless of your genre, stop and take a look at
nature’s maps in your character’s surroundings. What maps were drawn a century
before? What might be drawn a century into the future?
Journal Prompt:
Choose one of your novel settings near water. Examine the
value of the water to the inhabitants.
Is it for survival, enjoyment, tourism, trade or protection?
Share: What would
happen to the nearest population if that particular water source dried up?
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