: Re: How can I dig conflict out of an optimistic SF-nal premise? I frequently have ideas for what could be called "optimistic" science-fiction premises - imaginary technological or social changes which

@Carla500

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Conflict is fairly simple:

Someone wants something.
S/He/They cannot get it.
What does s/he/they do about it?

So your optimistic TECH can be the solution to the problem, rather than the problem itself.

Basic ideas which could be solved with Happy TECH:

Fish out of water: an alien from some much less optimistic society arrives and flails about trying to accomplish some task
(deliver a package, meet someone, make repairs, purchase something).
Fish out of water, domestic variant: country bumpkin comes to big city, marvels at bright lights and big buildings. Decides to stay in
Gay Paree rather than go back to the farm.
Pick a fairytale, any fairytale: Puss in Boots. The Frog Prince. The Princess and the Pea. Cinderella. Any of these could be solved
faster (or at least made more interesting) with the application of TECH.
Missed connection: I saw you on the train as we passed, I fell in love, now I have to find out your name.
Plan Mom's surprise birthday party. Mom could be 150, if you like.

Watch any sitcom, boil the plot down to an elevator pitch, and rebuild it in your universe.

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