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Technomancy

Wow, it’s June already! I can hardly believe it. Sorry about no post on Monday. I spent some time with family. As you all probably know, my cyberpunk romance book Techno Crazed is coming out June 17th, so today’s Into the Paranormal topic is related.

Wikipedia’s definition of Technomancy is “magical abilities that affect technology, or to magical powers that are gained through the use of technology.” This kind of magic can be found in books that cross between science fiction and fantasy (ahem… cyberpunk *grins*) genres. The word technomancy mixes “technology” and “-mancy,” which comes from the Greek work manteia meaning divination. A user of this kind of magic is a technomancer or technomage. 

There seems to be two kinds of technomancy. One kind is non-mystical technomancy. In that universe, things are strictly scientific. Characters might gain magic-like powers through technology, but they don’t possess magical powers outright. Examples of this type of world would be Babylon 5 (TV show), Mass Effect (video game), and Shadowrun (role-playing game).

The second kind is non-scientific technomancy. This type of universe equips magical objects that operate like technology. This kind of magic is sometimes called “industrial magic.” Examples include Harry Potter where owls act as the postal system (among other things) and Dungeons & Dragons’ Eberron campaign where spirits power vehicles.

Techno Crazed‘s world uses the non-scientific method technology in that there is real magic that the hero and other characters utilize.

Interesting Tidbit:

  • One of the earliest appearances of the term is in the short story “Technomancy” by Steve Martindale in the magazine Aboriginal Science Fiction.
  • Technomancy was used by Willow in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Pretty cool! I didn’t remember that.
What do you think about Technomancy? Seems pretty cool, doesn’t it?

2 Comments

  1. Thank you, Inger! I think the subject is pretty complex too. When I wrote the book, I had to ask my husband questions here and there on the technology aspects. =)

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