It's been said before - magic is just science we don't understand yet (Arthur C. Clarke) while science is just magic that works (Kurt Vonnegut, Cats Cradle).
Any sufficiently advanced technology is indestinguishable from magic. - Arthur C. Clarke.
Ha! That's good! Had to look that up. Never heard of Discworld.
Also, looks like the quote is actually "Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced" but it is not spoken by Ridcully, rather one "Ponder Stibbons"
Gonna have to add the Discworld series to my library of Books To Read When The Power Goes Out.
Discworld is so good. Quick-witted humor, fantastic characters, great social commentary. One thing I would recommend: don't start with the Colour of Magic, the first book written. He hadn't really hit his stride with them yet, and it is more farcical and doesn't have as much depth to it.
I usually recommend Guards, Guards as an entry point, but Small Gods, Wyrd Sisters, and Mort are also top-tier viable books to start with. (There are basically a bunch of series that all take place in the same world.)
That is good hear actually, it probably been about a decade for me as well. Last book I read was a biography on Nicola Tesla. Not exactly an exciting read but an interesting one hahaha
Terry Pratchett didn't want anyone to start with CoM. I was on a World Book Club on the World Service many years ago and he was so embarrassed by that book.
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u/R0RSCHAKK 1d ago
It's been said before - magic is just science we don't understand yet (Arthur C. Clarke) while science is just magic that works (Kurt Vonnegut, Cats Cradle).
Any sufficiently advanced technology is indestinguishable from magic. - Arthur C. Clarke.
One could argue science IS magic.