How Do Creators Define What Is Bnwo In Fiction?

I associate the word “bnwo” with the way we use fiction to make sense of abstract systems by creating and then depicting a real, living world. From there, it’s not too hard to decide on a narrow definition of the term, focusing on who holds the most power, how their decisions are carried out and by whom, and how that power is maintained in the world at large. Typically, these systems are modeled after the power structures and technologies found in real life, with plenty of room for variation based on the author’s goals for the work. Sometimes entire ‘scaffolding’ systems are borrowed whole and modified; others are more or less hybrids of corporate-states, alternative informational surveillance systems, or other models.

This also gives insight into the creator’s vision for the world. Is it grimy and militaristic or sterile and patronizing? Does the resistance manifest itself in underground music and contraband books or is the protagonist just remembering the events that went against the order of the bnwo? I love when creators of worlds can bring these details to life in the descriptions of the scenes and let us experience them first hand and not just have some world building speech.

A bnwo can function as a character in a story. You can explore how a person internalizes an Order or rebels against it, and how that reflects the moral sphere of the world that has been created. While works like ‘Brave New World’ and ‘1984’ are obvious inspirations for this sort of fiction, the best are those that subvert your expectations, and then challenge you to consider what trade-offs you would make in your own world – and that’s the bit that’s been really unsettling to read for me.