Novum: (Darko Suvin, 1979)
‘…that element which is new and distinguishes the imagined world from our own.’ Once Upon an If, page 7.
It can be science or magic that brings the novum about.
Science: ‘What if human beings develop a technology that enables them to read each other’s thoughts?’
Magic: What if there is a magic hat (or hats) that enables people to read each other’s thoughts?
Write a Twitter What if…? Novum (140 characters or less) to create a bank of nova for teachers and children so that they can use them for writing exercises (children) or stories for thinking (teachers). The nova that can be used will be collected together and made available for free on The Philosophy Foundation website. The best one will win a copy of Once Upon an If.
Use #OnceUponanIf to enter your novum into the Bloomsbury competition, or post it here. Competition closes on launch day: Friday 31st January.
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