# Fictional worlds you'd least like to live in **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 15, 2003, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-worlds-youd-least-like-to-live-in/182049 "2003-06-15T17:28:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2003, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-worlds-youd-least-like-to-live-in/182049/61 "2003-06-17T04:45:02Z")
> [@](#): > > As forRanchoth’s point about the absence of religion in cartoon universes, I noticed the same sort of thing in a different fictional world: in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. > > Think about it, here you have a world where God’s existence is an undeniable fact. Here, crosses and holy water really do work against vampires. (Incidentally, how come holy water is sold in a shop, when you can just get it for free in a church?) God really does intervene on behalf of people, at least against vampires, and possibly in other instances hinted at. However, God is barely mentioned at all. > > More significantly, the Devil has never been mentioned at all. How come? It is his minions that Buffy fights off every week. You’d think the Bright One would at least get an occassional “Hail Satan!” from his cohorts. (These ideas aren’t mine, by the way, I got them from an Entertainment Weekly article on Buffy.) But the thing is…that’s not right. There isn’t one god, there are several gods. There isn’t one hell dimension, there are at least 2. There isn’t one heaven dimension. It’s never explained why crosses work on Vampires. Indeed, in the first episode, Giles basically says Genesis is wrong, wrong, wrong. Earth didn’t start as a paradise, it started as basically another hell dimension, overran with demons and vampires (I’m assuming the Ubies.) Also, in S4 we got a pretty clear demonstration that when vamps want to, they can withstand crosses. “Where’s God? He was supposed to meet us here!” Also, vampires are not the Devil’s spawn. Demons existed before humans, and in multiple dimensions. There isn’t a Devil, the closest thing there is to that is The First Evil, and if you believe the FE, It was there before the Word, before the Bang. So the reason that God and religion isn’t mentioned is that there are several dimensions, several gods, the First Evil, the Powers that Be, and when Holden asked Buffy about God, she responded something liek “The Jury is still out on that one.” ---
**Author:** ![Vlad\_Dracul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/50afbb/32.png) [@Vlad\_Dracul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vlad_Dracul)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2003, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-worlds-youd-least-like-to-live-in/182049/62 "2003-06-17T04:45:12Z")
As a man, there are a couple of universes I’d hate to live in: The world where sit-coms are made. In this world, all men are required to constantly do stupid things that they KNOW will get them in trouble, and are always being pushed around by shrewish wives who rarely put out. The world where Lifetime Channel movies are made. In this reality, 95 percent of all men are violent lunatics. If you manage to be a GOOD man, you will face at least one (probably more) of the following: 1. Your wife/girlfriend will be raped… probably several times. 2. Your daughter, ditto. Possibly killed or kidnapped. 3. Your wife/girlfriend will leave you for a violent lunatic. 4. You’ll be hit on the head and BECOME a violent lunatic. 5. You’ll die just after your child is born, so your widow can tell her now-teenage kid how great you were, just before she gets involved with a violent lunatic. ``` The only good thing about this universe is that there's a good chance your wife will be Lynda Carter. :) ``` ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2003, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-worlds-youd-least-like-to-live-in/182049/63 "2003-06-17T05:21:32Z")
**Vlad Dracul** , you are a seer and a prophet. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2003, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-worlds-youd-least-like-to-live-in/182049/64 "2003-06-17T11:46:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Captain Amazing \* > \*\*Even though, if you live under the Draka in the near future (as seen in his book “Drakon”), you’ll have been genetically altered to remove any ambition or resentment at being made a slave, and the Draka’s pheremones will make you love them and want to serve them. So, at least you’ll be happy. \*\* If I were genetically altered as described, I wouldn’t be “me” therefore it’s an inherently contradictory point, hence moot. ---
**Author:** ![Sinungaling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/838e76/32.png) [@Sinungaling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sinungaling)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2003, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-worlds-youd-least-like-to-live-in/182049/65 "2003-06-17T20:11:28Z")
**pepperlandgirl** , I challenge you to pistols at dawn, and may God steady the arm of the righteous. Failing that, I invite you to discuss our differences on Buffy the Vampire Slayer in an amicable manner over in this [thread.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=191515) ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2003, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-worlds-youd-least-like-to-live-in/182049/66 "2003-06-17T21:47:16Z")
The world ruled by the Crime Syndicate of America( in DC). Evil Superguy zapping me from orbit if I badmouth him? No thanks. I second Resident Evil’s Raccoon City. Stupid name, doomed town. Oh, and all the good literary ones you guys picked 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![InquisitiveIdiot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/3ec8ea/32.png) [@InquisitiveIdiot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InquisitiveIdiot)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2003, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-worlds-youd-least-like-to-live-in/182049/67 "2003-06-17T22:18:16Z")
> [@](#): > > Not many people had Internet access in 1984, much less in 1984. Besides, Big Brother would be watching you. The world of 1984 was at least moderately technologically advanced, as TV was still a new thing when it was written. I have no doubt that Big Brother would have embraced the internet as a further means of control. And your internet activity is already being monitored by bodies that have anything but your interests at heart. ---
**Author:** ![Governor\_Quinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@Governor\_Quinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Governor_Quinn)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2003, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-worlds-youd-least-like-to-live-in/182049/68 "2003-06-17T22:36:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Marley23 \* > \*\* > And all the people are white. \*\* Even more remarkable then the fact that they are all white. Marley, is the fact that (Correct me if I’m wrong, since I don’t watch the show regularly): 1. The outer boroughs don’t exist. 2. The Jews of NYC don’t exist. 3. The Italians of NYC don’t exist. 4. All parts of Manhattan except the Upper East Side don’t exist. 5. No one with a blue-collar job exists. 6. No one with an office job exists. ---
**Author:** ![Fern\_Forest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/71c47a/32.png) [@Fern\_Forest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fern_Forest)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2003, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-worlds-youd-least-like-to-live-in/182049/69 "2003-06-17T23:37:16Z")
The Gellars are Jewish. Or maybe they’re only half. Joey is Italian, we’ve met his family. Rachel works in an office now and Chandler was a pencil pusher for all but the past few months. Treegar was their maintenance man for the building but we haven’t seen him lately. Of course most of these things are only rarely mentioned. ---
**Author:** ![Fern\_Forest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/71c47a/32.png) [@Fern\_Forest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fern_Forest)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2003, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-worlds-youd-least-like-to-live-in/182049/70 "2003-06-17T23:48:27Z")
Plato’s Utopia would kill me to live there. The world of **Samurai Jack** is very beautiful but with Aku everywhere you’d never get to enjoy it. Plus once Jack makes it back you’d have never existed anyway. **Cowboy Bebop** ’s universe would probably lose its appeal very very quickly too. Way too much crime. ---
**Author:** ![HPL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3da27b/32.png) [@HPL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HPL)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2003, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-worlds-youd-least-like-to-live-in/182049/71 "2003-06-18T05:56:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Fern Forest \* > \*\* > > **Cowboy Bebop** ’s universe would probably lose its appeal very very quickly too. Way too much crime. \*\* That is, unless you buy a gun, learn some martial arts and become a bounty hunter. Then you don’t look at it as “Too much crime” but rather “Target Rich Environment”. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Vlad\_Dracul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/50afbb/32.png) [@Vlad\_Dracul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vlad_Dracul)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2003, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-worlds-youd-least-like-to-live-in/182049/72 "2003-06-18T06:59:29Z")
The planet Apokolips, in the DC comics universe. Everybody’s a rag-wearing slave, the whole planet is incredibly volcanic, and you’re ruled by a sadistic demi-god who can kick Superman’s butt. ---
**Author:** ![TWDuke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e495f1/32.png) [@TWDuke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TWDuke)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2003, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-worlds-youd-least-like-to-live-in/182049/73 "2003-06-18T13:44:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by InquisitiveIdiot \* > **The world of 1984 was at least moderately technologically advanced, as TV was still a new thing when it was written. I have no doubt that Big Brother would have embraced the internet as a further means of control.** But it wasn’t part of the fictional world of _1984_. If we get to import our favorite aspects of our own world, we’re no longer living in the world created by the author. > [@](#): > > \*\*And your internet activity is already being monitored by bodies that have anything but your interests at heart. \*\* I linked to a page about Carnivore in my post. ---
**Author:** ![gonzoron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a6a055/32.png) [@gonzoron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzoron)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2003, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-worlds-youd-least-like-to-live-in/182049/74 "2003-06-18T15:46:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Tengu \* > \*\*Not just Menzo, or even the Underdark as a whole. > > ALL of Faerun - hell, all of Aeber Toril would be less than great to live in. > \*\* Bah! Try living in Bluetspur in Ravenloft. The surface is a barren desert with constant lightning storms, and the underground is populated by mind flayers waiting to eat your brain. And the only way out is through the mists filled with Mist Horrors and other beasties, and if you’re lucky you won’t end up back where you started. At best, if you make it through the mist, you’ll end up in another domain full of assorted horrors. ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2003, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-worlds-youd-least-like-to-live-in/182049/75 "2003-06-19T03:37:27Z")
OK…the Dread Realms as a whole trump Faerun. With the possible exceptions of the seedier parts of the Underdark… ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2003, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-worlds-youd-least-like-to-live-in/182049/76 "2003-06-19T06:25:08Z")
The world of the game _Settlers of Cataan_. As soon as you’re halfway through building something nice, some bugger comes and shuffles all the tiles and you have to start over again. Makes Sisyphus look like a, well, sissy. ---
**Author:** ![Odinoneeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/97f17d/32.png) [@Odinoneeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odinoneeye)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2003, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-worlds-youd-least-like-to-live-in/182049/77 "2003-06-19T10:55:49Z")
The world in Kevin O’Donnell (sp?) book Oracle. You got overcrowding, environmental damage, a system where your societal rank is so important that it’s your name. To make things worse, you got aliens who will kill you if they ever find out outside. Of course, they can be killed with a watering can, so maybe they’re not so tough. ---
**Author:** ![ratty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ccd318/32.png) [@ratty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratty)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2003, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-worlds-youd-least-like-to-live-in/182049/78 "2003-06-19T13:03:37Z")
So many god-awful places to choose from… First off, living in some dystopian totalitarian state would certainly be bad, but possibly not as bad as we all think. Sure, you couldn’t buy a bathrobe without express permission and if you step out of line something unimaginably horrible will happen to you, your family, and everyone you’ve ever met, but at least things would be _predictable_. After a while, it’d become routine, and you’d find a way to survive. And these totalitarian states have a way of giving even the averge Joe the opportunity to become a legendary hero of the revolution, so I can’t say it would be all that awful. I’ve noticed a lot of people in the other thread (Where would you LIKE to live?) mentioned Middle-Earth. While the scenery is nice, I’d have to agree with **Sinungaling**. The whole place is falling apart at the seams and everyone wanders around being vaguely hopeless and utterly resigned to their fate. Plus, their technological abilities seem to be about on a par with 7th-century Europe. Even the supposedly superior elves are all screwed up; they have to leave by some unspecified deadline for some vague reason, they do absolutely nothing but whine about “the good old days”, (which were actually pretty crappy, if you think about it) and they freakin’ sing all the time. Then you have your other races who are completely doomed except for Men, who are actually doomed anyway because they’re “destined” to bring about their own destruction. Nice place. Most tv worlds are pretty awful as well. Soap Operas, Lifetime movies, sitcoms- all mind-numbingly tedious and repetitious. Lovecraft’s world might not be too bad. Sure, big slimy people-eating monsters are scary and all, but it seems like they basically leave you alone so long as you don’t go messing with them. The Elder Gods are freaky and depressing, but they’re also woefully incompetent. Even though some mad well-to-do New Englander is always trying to warn the world of its destruction at their hands, they seem too scatter-brained to do anything really godly. The most they can manage is a monster every few years and some bad weather. Feh. What would probably be the worst for me is some world where magic works and average Newtonian physics are only optional. Think about it- absolutely nothing would be predictable. You’d have no way of knowing what might or might not happen to you in the next five minutes, and no ability to do anything about it. Fight with the neighbors? You’re not just getting shunned and/or sued, you’re being hexed. Wander into a used book store? Congratulations! You’ve just purchased the 5th volume of “The World Will Now End And It’s All Your Fault”. Cousin gettig married in another state? Watch out for bandits/wizards/getting sucked into a quest along the way. You’d be able to rely on next to nothing. Any zombie-infested world where the dead outnumber the living would also be pretty awful, as would some post-Apocalyptic state of anarchy. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-worlds-youd-least-like-to-live-in/182049.md?page=3)