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alternate_history:double_blind_what_if [2015/04/15 20:47] – [Double Blind What If] Petikealternate_history:double_blind_what_if [2019/03/29 15:13] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1
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 DBWIs are collaborative by nature.  Thread participants are expected to act in-character, as if coming from the ATL world described in the initial post.  As the thread evolves, the realities of this ATL world are revealed and fleshed-out by discussing how the A-ATL world (that is, OTL) world might look. Thus, there is alternate history not just in the events being described, but in the perspective and assumptions behind them and in the supposed comparisons to the “real” history as laid out by the thread starter.   DBWIs are collaborative by nature.  Thread participants are expected to act in-character, as if coming from the ATL world described in the initial post.  As the thread evolves, the realities of this ATL world are revealed and fleshed-out by discussing how the A-ATL world (that is, OTL) world might look. Thus, there is alternate history not just in the events being described, but in the perspective and assumptions behind them and in the supposed comparisons to the “real” history as laid out by the thread starter.  
  
-Constructive responses to a DBWI question are those that present and discuss consequences and developments to event "X" with creativity, imagination and intelligence, and do so within the bounds of reasonableness and plausibility.  Keeping things real and logical are, in part, what separates a DBWI from a role play game.  Please note that it is considered bad form to predict OTL accurately.  Likewise, forecasting extreme socio-economic, cultural and political shifts or improbable ramifications that cannot be reasonably expected to occur as a result of event "X" is also frowned upon.+---- 
 + 
 +==== The basics and keeping it real... ==== 
 + 
 +Constructive responses to a DBWI question are those that present and discuss consequences and developments to event "X" with creativity, imagination and intelligence, and do so within the bounds of reason and plausibility.  Keeping things real and logical are, in part, what separates a DBWI from a role play game.  Please note that it is considered bad form to predict OTL accurately.  Likewise, forecasting extreme socio-economic, cultural and political shifts or improbable ramifications that cannot be reasonably expected to occur as a result of event "X" is also frowned upon.
  
 In general, a DBWI discussion works best when ... In general, a DBWI discussion works best when ...
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   * people put some thought and creativity into their responses;   * people put some thought and creativity into their responses;
   * people keep their responses realistic and plausible.   * people keep their responses realistic and plausible.
 +
 +----
 +
 +==== Past developments ====
  
 The phrase "DBWI" is sometimes used in a wider way to mean any sort of role-playing, including "Future Blind What If" to mean role-playing in a future setting. A contemporary use is expressed in [[offtopic:Redem]]'s celebrated [[timelines:The Many Nations of North America]], aka "How did you live the war?" The phrase "DBWI" is sometimes used in a wider way to mean any sort of role-playing, including "Future Blind What If" to mean role-playing in a future setting. A contemporary use is expressed in [[offtopic:Redem]]'s celebrated [[timelines:The Many Nations of North America]], aka "How did you live the war?"
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 Since there seems to be ongoing confusion over the difference between Double-Blind/Future Blind What Ifs and Role Playing Games, I think it's time somebody posted a short guide explaining it. Since I seem to be the only one interested in such a guide, I've take it upon myself to write one up. Onward! Since there seems to be ongoing confusion over the difference between Double-Blind/Future Blind What Ifs and Role Playing Games, I think it's time somebody posted a short guide explaining it. Since I seem to be the only one interested in such a guide, I've take it upon myself to write one up. Onward!
  
-What is a Double-Blind What If?+**What is a Double-Blind What If?**
  
 A Double-Blind What If (or, DBWI) is a type of alternate history "What If" written as if the thread starter and commenters are from an alternate timeline where a stated event unfolded differently from the way it did in our timeline. The participants discuss the topic from the point of view of this alternate timeline, the details of the timeline being filled in through the conversation. A Double-Blind What If (or, DBWI) is a type of alternate history "What If" written as if the thread starter and commenters are from an alternate timeline where a stated event unfolded differently from the way it did in our timeline. The participants discuss the topic from the point of view of this alternate timeline, the details of the timeline being filled in through the conversation.
  
-What is a Future-Blind What If?+**What is a Future-Blind What If?**
  
 A Future-Blind What If (or, FBWI) is a particular type of DBWI written as if the thread starter and commenters are from a hypothetical future, most commonly discussing how an event that has already occurred in our timeline would have changed their history if it had happened differently. The participants discuss the topic from the point of view of this hypothetical future, the details of the timeline being filled in through the conversation. A Future-Blind What If (or, FBWI) is a particular type of DBWI written as if the thread starter and commenters are from a hypothetical future, most commonly discussing how an event that has already occurred in our timeline would have changed their history if it had happened differently. The participants discuss the topic from the point of view of this hypothetical future, the details of the timeline being filled in through the conversation.
  
-What is the difference between a DBWI, FBWI and a Role Playing Game?+**What is the difference between a DBWI, FBWI and a Role Playing Game?**
  
 In a DBWI or FBWI, the participants engage in a limited and more academic form of role-playing wherein they write from the point of view of people living within the alternate timeline, but do not assume roles of characters. In other words, it is assumed that you are yourself in the alternate timeline participating in what is otherwise a normal topic on an alternate Alternatehistory.com. In a DBWI or FBWI, the participants engage in a limited and more academic form of role-playing wherein they write from the point of view of people living within the alternate timeline, but do not assume roles of characters. In other words, it is assumed that you are yourself in the alternate timeline participating in what is otherwise a normal topic on an alternate Alternatehistory.com.
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 **[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=342171|Question: What's up with DBWI ?]]** - Discussion on the state of DBWI discussions by the mid 2010s.  **[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=342171|Question: What's up with DBWI ?]]** - Discussion on the state of DBWI discussions by the mid 2010s. 
 +
 +**[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=283804|Double-Blind (DBWI) and Future-Blind (FBWI) What If FAQ]]** - FAQ created in April 2015, courtesy of [[offtopic:Pkmatrix]].
 +
 +**[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=170770|Where do you stand on the DBWI vs RP issue ?]]**
  
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 ==== Navigation ==== ==== Navigation ====
  
-**[[AH.com's AH Writing Slang]]**+**[[alternate_history:ah_slang_and_acronyms|AH.com's AH Writing Slang]]**
alternate_history/double_blind_what_if.1429145231.txt.gz · Last modified: 2019/03/29 15:17 (external edit)
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