the elements of this age?

[Driddle]

I'm in discussions with a friend about what we feel are the major "elemental" forces of the world we live in now, as modern society loses touch with the classic four (earth, air, fire and water).

We're in agreement that Plastic should be on the list, and probably Electricity as well (although we're wondering if perhaps Light might be waiting in the wings to take that particular slot some day). After that, we fall into disagreement over Metal and Blood -- I see metal as the primary earth-like source of the bigger constructions in our lives (buildings, cars, etc.), but he says plastic sort of fills that particular slot on the elemental wheel. As for blood, it's a primal force that represents our preoccupation with sex, biotech, medicine, (and paradoxically) war and violence.

Finally, we agree that Information could fill the optional fifth Void-like slot, beyond the other four.

((And, yes, this discussion is the basis for RPG stuff -- i.e. mages in a futuristic fantasy campaign similar to Shadowrun.))

What say you?

 

[Phineas Crow]

If you want a more realistic modern representation of the elements I would go with:

Space (replaces air)
Time (replaces water)
Matter (replaces earth)
Energy (replaces fire)

 

[Wrath of the Swarm]

Stupidity would be the most common.
Credulity the second.
Followed by Hydrogen.

 

[Driddle]

If you want a more realistic modern representation...

Right. More realistic and modern. Thanks.
Yes, those would be the top-end elements, but that's just a little bit too far future sci-fi and not enough totemistic fantasy. Gear it down a notch for me, please.

 

[Rackhir]

Modern society is more complicated than medieval, so I think you need more than just 4 elements, perhaps 8 or 16 in pairs or related groups. Also don't forget they should be opposing elements. Energy and Silicon oppose blood and organic. Fusion and order opposes fission and chaos.

 

[Tonguez]

If you want a more realistic modern representation of the elements I would go with:

Space (replaces air)
Time (replaces water)
Matter (replaces earth)
Energy (replaces fire)

I like this schema I'll need to give it some thought but its got lots of potential

another possible (and lower tier) schema could be

Blood - Animal (including human), medicine, war
Steel - Mechanical constructs
Organic - Plant matter, soil (the Green of the Swamp Thing)
Energy - Electricity, Gravity, Spirit, Information (Thought)

then again I don't see why the classic four - Earth Air Fire and Water can work in a modern setting

 

[Driddle]

... I don't see why the classic four - Earth Air Fire and Water can work in a modern setting

Oh, I suppose they could. But we're looking at this from the perspective: When was the last time you got your hands down in the dirt, hung around a campfire, felt the wind in your hair, or splashed around in the lake? In the modern world, we surround ourselves with other 'elements'. Think pop culture, city sprawl, consumerism - the new, developed forces of 'nature' activated by man.

Or at least that's the premise we're working on.

 

[Tonguez]

Oh, I suppose they could. But we're looking at this from the perspective: When was the last time you got your hands down in the dirt, hung around a campfire, felt the wind in your hair, or splashed around in the lake? In the modern world, we surround ourselves with other 'elements'. Think pop culture, city sprawl, consumerism - the new, developed forces of 'nature' activated by man.

Or at least that's the premise we're working on.

Yeah I know (and btw I live in a rural area so I get muddy every now-and-then)

but the way I see it

Earth = Concrete, Steel and Glass
Air = Smog, CO2 and the like
Water = Coke and other posions
Fire = Electricity, Gravity and Light

So when I go online its Earth and Fire (Silicon and Electricity)
Plastic is Water and Earth (ooze lol!)

 

[Agemegos]

I'd suggest that 'plastic' be expanded to include other organics, such as petroleum.

Metal gets my vote: there's an unprecedented quantity of the stuff about.

Stone, ceramic, glass, concrete and other inorganics.

Wildstuff, perhaps? Wood, bone, ivory, living things, plus perhaps water: in decline and resentful.

Or maybe (1) metals, (2) organics, (3) oxidisers, and (4) energy, with information (entropy) as the Void.

 

[Agemegos]

When was the last time you got your hands down in the dirt

Yesterday.

hung around a campfire

Not for weeks! Unless you count thet fire in the fireplace with which I heated the house last night. But I'm recovering nicely from surgery and I'll be fit again soon. I have a big bonfire planned for my pirate-themed birthday party in September.

felt the wind in your hair

Wednesday.

or splashed around in the lake?

Wednesday, if the Pacific Ocean counts. And I'll be going there again this morning.

But then, I am no longer an urbanite. Atavistic, ain't I?