User blog:Wattman/Points of Divergance and Aftermath

Now, I've noticed that most timelines present some barely plausible PoDs that lead to a supremacy of only one people or country. While this might be good for fueling one's nationalistic pride, it isn't history proper. Being slightly biased isn't so bad, but giving a huge advantage to any one nation is absurd; therefore, we need to consider the possible paths of the divergence.

Choosing the PoD is certainly the most important step in any timeline. While it may be subtle (example: vegetarianism becomes important), the timeline itself will sway wildly after some time. When we think of a PoD, we also must think of the aftermath and the consequences that result from it being applied.

The points of divergence can be easily classified into three categories: subtle (Vegetarian World for example), abrupt (1983) and in-between which covers all that don't fit into the other two categories. Obviously, there are no exact definitons of each class, but one can "feel" the classes.

An optimal PoD would be an objective one, and depending on the timespan, subtle (500+ years before present), in-between (~75 years before present) or abrupt (less than 25-30 years). It should also be realistically possible (no Hitler with Death Star) unless that is the theme.

After the PoD, things shouldn't change so radically, but the world should still stay "in-character" (again, no Hitler Death Star out of the blue). Having a realistic, more-less unbiased and fitting point of diversion adds to the believability of the world very much.

Multiple PoD are a very complex subject, so if you lack the knowledge and management skills, stay away! Having multiple PoDs can add complexity very quickly, but a few subtle PoDs most certainly beat one abrupt PoD (even though there are more variables to keep track of).

Also, using people is a very interesting subject. While some people might not have been born, others that don't exist could be born! Of course, since we cannot make up images of people, using images of some people as original people might work. Another side to it is to use both famous and people irrelevant in that place in the OTL (like having Tarja Cronberg as a leader of the Finnish Confederacy :D ).

To sum it all up: while biased, abrupt PoDs can be useful in distinctly themed situations, they are never good enough to make a believable timeline. Having moderate and slightly biased PoDs can do wonders in exploring what-ifs but having a multitude of them ruins the fun. Having a large pallete of small PoDs can be very annoying, and it is best if there are at most 4 small PoDs. People in PoDs shouldn't have the exact same functions as in the OTL unless they weren't affected by the divergence (Arnold the Californian shouldn't run Mexico unless he is originally from Mexico in the TL, but shouldn't run California if California doesn't exist).

Happy hunting in the historical grounds Wattman 14:10, April 22, 2011 (UTC)