# What does fantasy do? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 13, 2026, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-fantasy-do/1027648 "2026-02-13T20:50:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2026, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-fantasy-do/1027648/161 "2026-02-25T01:39:25Z")
Unless you are talking about the Star Wars universe, and Force Ghosts and such. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2026, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-fantasy-do/1027648/162 "2026-02-25T01:40:14Z")
No, I think he’d just classify that as “fantasy.” ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2026, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-fantasy-do/1027648/163 "2026-02-25T02:07:08Z")
Star Wars is fantasy with SF trappings. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2026, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-fantasy-do/1027648/164 "2026-02-25T02:26:22Z")
Pretty much. “There is no death; there is the Force”. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2026, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-fantasy-do/1027648/165 "2026-03-13T22:42:02Z")
> [@Frodo](#): > > Star Wars is fantasy with SF trappings. Which is why the prequel attempts to explain the force with midichlorians was so off-brand. The force is mysticism, not science. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2026, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-fantasy-do/1027648/166 "2026-03-13T22:48:48Z")
I’m mostly not a Star Wars fan, but I stan Andor. I’m 100% a Trekkie. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2026, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-fantasy-do/1027648/167 "2026-03-13T22:57:00Z")
Yup, I was not very happy with the movie by that point, but when they started technobabbling about midichlorians they cemented my dislike for the prequels. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2026, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-fantasy-do/1027648/168 "2026-03-13T22:57:19Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > I still say that the defining feature of fantasy is depicting a world where spiritual reality is a thing. That reminds me of a similar was of putting it; that magic and fantasy are largely about anthropomorphizing the universe. It’s about treating the nonhuman world as if it can be commanded or persuaded, and “will” as a tangible force. A “KEEP OUT” sign might stop a person, but it won’t stop something inanimate; the natural world cares nothing for symbols in the real world. But in a world of magic if you know the right symbols, use the right words or just have enough willpower maybe you can _make_ things refuse to cross the line you drew in the sand. You can draw a pentagram and the demon can’t get out of it. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2026, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-fantasy-do/1027648/169 "2026-03-14T00:38:04Z")
I think that midichlorians would have been okay if it had been explicitly said that they’re an _ **indicator** _ of Force potential, not a cause. Basically something like “–but putting midichlorians into people doesn’t GIVE them a command of the Force; it’s been tried”. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2026, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-fantasy-do/1027648/170 "2026-03-14T00:50:26Z")
Even that way it would be clunky, why not have the Jedis simply sense the ginormous force potential of Anakin? Vader could sense Luke force potential from a friggin Tie Fighter engaged in dogfighting, so probably at least 5 kms. And 2 Jedis cannot feel the potential of a boy they have right in front of them? ---
**Author:** ![dorvann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df705f/32.png) [@dorvann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorvann)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2026, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-fantasy-do/1027648/171 "2026-03-14T14:19:14Z")
> [@Frodo](#): > > but when they started technobabbling about midichlorians they cemented my dislike for the prequels. This is why I dislike The Matrix sequels–they spent way too much time technobabbling to explain things. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2026, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-fantasy-do/1027648/172 "2026-03-14T18:32:27Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > That reminds me of a similar was of putting it; that magic and fantasy are largely about anthropomorphizing the universe. It’s about treating the nonhuman world as if it can be commanded or persuaded, and “will” as a tangible force. Certainly that is a basis claim regarding magic. I’m not sure it’s true of all fantasy, but certainly to the degree that magic is interwoven with story expectations. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2026, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-fantasy-do/1027648/173 "2026-03-15T01:19:40Z")
> [@Frodo](#): > > Even that way it would be clunky, why not have the Jedis simply sense the ginormous force potential of Anakin? Yeah, even then, the idea that the Force is something quantifiable like that still bugs me. Turns it into some Dragonball Z style bullshit. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2026, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-fantasy-do/1027648/174 "2026-03-15T01:40:28Z")
Yes! And so unnecessary. Obi Wan: The force is incredibly powerful in this boy Qui Gon Jinn: By Yoda’s green underwear you are right! (or words to that effect), In all my years as a Jedi Knight I haven’t sensed someone as strong. There, fixed, no ugly technobabble neded. ---
**Author:** ![CaveMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cavemike/32/16379_2.png) [@CaveMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaveMike)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2026, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-fantasy-do/1027648/175 "2026-04-05T16:50:43Z")
I think genre fiction can examine the human condition as well as classic literature provided the challenges and solutions are authentic. I really enjoy Louise Penny’s Chief Inspector Armand Gamache mystery series. Most of the characters are saddled with serious flaws and I read as much to see how they live in this world as to see a resolution to the mystery. A murder case works as well as a framing device as a cross-country motorcycle trip does. Tackling serious issues in a fantasy story can provide some insulation and perspective to the reader. I may be alone in this, but it is stressful to read about mental health, drug addiction, and trauma in a modern setting. Despite it being fiction, I know that these situations are also happening to real, live people. Moving these challenges to a fantasy setting lightens the psychic load for me. I still care about the characters, but I know they never have or never will exist. There are a few more traditional reasons I like fantasy: I enjoy the world-building and creativity that it requires. In particular I really enjoy the imagination needed to create something unique from the massive body of pre-existing works. It is interesting to see worlds with people with different genders, sexual orientations, and gender roles (male domestics, female leaders, etc.) presented not as a plot point, but as an example of what our world could look like. Lately I’ve read a number of stories that have main characters with a disability. It’s helpful to see a world through their perspective – how they navigate it and what challenges they confront. Finally, fantasy triggers some visceral reaction implanted deep in my brain by my 4th-grade D&D playing self. I suspect if I read comic books as a kid, I would have the same reaction to super hero movies. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-fantasy-do/1027648.md?page=8)