fact or fiction
Is it a fact or is it merely fiction? Fact or Fiction explores the lesser known truths in the geek universe.
Slavery, Class Warfare, and Hegemony
If you watched Game of Thrones’ episode, “Book of the Stranger” and have some notion of history and politics, you may have noticed a few crazy and familiar things being played out in the lands of Westeros and Essos. Things that author GRRM and showrunners David Benioff and DB Weiss have certainly and purposefully introduced to reflect the history of our own real life non-magical dragon having society. It’s well documented that GRRM was inspired by historical events when he set out to create the conflicts of Westeros, namely England’s 15th century War of the Roses, and that the inspiration of The Wall was found on his trip to Northern England to visit Hadrian’s Wall. Other elements of the ASOIF universe are obvious: Westeros is feudalistic Europe, with the North subbing as the rough, grey highlands of Northern England and / or Scotland / Ireland, the South as a proper and civilized land of bounty (King’s Landing is most reminiscent of a shit stinking medieval London), and then Dorne serving as a the stereotypical Latin hot tempered and lusty Spain (or even Mexico if you like). It’s also no coincidence that the ongoing Dornish feud with the Crown in the books and show resembles Queen Elizabeth I’s constant warring and peacing with Spain early in her reign.
By Nicolas Brown9 years ago in Geeks
Overwatch - And the Books, Movies, and Games That Inspired It
Overwatch remains one of the most popular video games in recent memories. A team-based first-person shooter, Blizzard's most recent intellectual property has entertained gamers worldwide with its colorful cast of characters, in-depth gameplay, and regular updates to keep the game fresh and interesting.
By Anthony Gramuglia9 years ago in Geeks
'Steven Universe' Fan Theories That Might Actually Be True
If there has been one recent cartoon that has gotten major applause for creating rich storylines filled with lore, it has to be Steven Universe. Through its incredible four seasons, the show has slowly unraveled a fascinating story featuring a war over planet Earth, aliens seeking revenge for the death of a mysterious gem known as "Pink Diamond," and terrifying weapons capable of destroying the planet as we know it.
By Ossiana Tepfenhart9 years ago in Geeks
The History of Anne Bonney and Mary Read
As closely as historians can determine, the story of Anne Bonney and Mary Read started in an English port town in the 1680s when a comely, "young and airy" sea wife gave birth to a robust baby girl. The mother's joy was marred by the somewhat glaring fact that her husband had been away at sea for more than two years. But she displayed a kind of ghoulish resourcefulness in dealing with the problem. Her legitimate baby son had recently died, and rather than report the death to kin, she dressed young Mary in the boy's clothes and hoped that no one would notice the deception.
By Frank White9 years ago in Geeks
My Unlucky Stars
You might be asking, how did this kid find himself holding his breath and hiding under that car? And if you did, the only answer I'd have to give is a heaping of stupidity washed over with a lightly baked sauce of bad ideas. So let me rewind and take you back to the beginning, or what I now call, the cradle of folly, or as some would say metal shop.
By Rod Christiansen9 years ago in Geeks
LEGIONS OF MUTANTS
By @KurtChristenson When X-Men debuted back in 1963, the original concept of mutants was a metaphor for the Civil Rights Movement, with Professor X preaching the peaceful integration of Martin Luther King Jr., versus the radical idealism of Magneto’s Brotherhood of (Evil) Mutants and Muslim Human Rights Activist Malcolm X. Coming out as a mutant was a great equalizer as anyone, of any race or religion, of any nationality, could be one and we could overcome those differences by embracing our individual genetic uniqueness.
By Kurt Christenson9 years ago in Geeks
Top Ten Classic Comic Batman Trivia Tidbits
There’ve been so many iterations of the Dark Knight detective we aren’t sure who the guy under the hood is at his core. But the best way to know for sure is to do a little sleuthing ourselves, and trace back his mysterious roots!
By Matt Cates9 years ago in Geeks
Who Were the Real Gangs of New York?
"Ever since I was a child growing up in Lower Manhattan, I was drawn to the stories of old New York. Each day, as I explored the neighborhood streets, I slowly uncovered clues to an extraordinary but relatively unknown period in the City's and our country's history. The early 1860s seemed to overflow with unbelievable stories of the working classes, of the waves of immigrants of all nationalities who crowded the streets and alleyways; stories of the corrupt politicians; and of the legends of the underworld who fought to control it all. Over the years, these stories stayed with me and I dreamt about bringing them to the screen. They were the stories of the testing of America and what the young country stood for. They were the stories of our roots.”
By Peter Dill9 years ago in Geeks
Soundwave or Die Tryin'
Like many celebrities, Soundwave's origins are humble. Japanese toy company Takara had a line of robots called Diaclone, picked up and reimagined by Hasbro in the mid-80's. Capitalists to the bone, Hasbro teamed with Marvel Comics to launch a comic book series around the toy line, to help muster sales.
By Matt Cates9 years ago in Geeks
