The mind-blowing thing about the sci fi and fantasy genres is that they imagine worlds that often are untouched by the effects of humans. Perhaps part of the reason that they’re so popular is that we’re all sick of being people, and it’s nice to feel like their are other sentient beings who have terrible problems, too. Sure, human beings pop up here and there to be as messed up as usual, but it’s that much more compelling when we’re thinking about the issues faced by a hobbit, for example.
What it’s easy to forget is that many of these stories are inspired by things that have already happened, or the strengths and weaknesses already inherent in us. This only makes the whole thing even cooler. It’s no wonder that it makes great meme material. While it’s hard to boil down all these plots and characters to throwaway funny, somehow they manage.
