Theory of Locality of Material Conditions

A more granular version of regionalism, focusing on how hyper-local variations in material conditions—a single valley's microclimate, a specific hill's defensibility, a unique local mineral spring—create radically different societal outcomes even within the same broader region. It emphasizes that history is made not on continents, but in parishes, neighborhoods, and watersheds.

Theory of Locality of Material Conditions Example: In medieval Europe, a village built on a rocky hill with a freshwater spring (local material conditions) could become an independent, fortified town. A village a few miles away on a fertile floodplain might become a wealthy but vulnerable estate of a feudal lord. Their divergent political fates were dictated by a few meters of elevation and access to water.

by Abzugal Nammugal Enkigal February 4, 2026

Source Material Allergy

noun
A condition where writers or directors act like reading or respecting the original material is toxic. Symptoms: rewriting the story, changing characters’ personalities, and inventing plot points out of nowhere—usually with the proud proclamation that they “improved” it.
Symptoms include:
Ignoring established world rules
Characters behaving in ways that betray their core identity
Frequently saying things like, “We just didn’t like the original”
Confusing longtime fans while trying to attract new ones

“The sequel suffered from full-blown Source Material Allergy—apparently dragons are now allergic to fire too.”

by TheNinjaSandwich February 6, 2026