Blog #43

Today I'm doing an exercise called "The Reverse Invention". Here's how it works:

1. Pick a modern invention or trend (like social media, elevators, or fast food).

2. Imagine a world where this thing never existed.

3. Create a story, society, or game mechanic around how people would adapt—or what would take its place.

My Pick: No Mirrors. Ever.

Imagine a world where mirrors were never invented. No reflective surfaces, no still water, no selfies, nothing. People grow up never truly seeing themselves.

This opens up some wild ideas:

• Identity is all hearsay. You only know what you look like through how others describe you. People might hire professional “Face Tellers” who specialize in describing your appearance with poetic flair.

• Fashion becomes performance-based. It’s less about looking good and more about how people react. Clothing might be designed to provoke emotion, movement, or sound—not just style.

• Illusionists and imposters thrive. Since no one can verify your face, spy thrillers and political dramas get very interesting.

• A religion could form around the idea of your “true face” being unknowable, sparking a spiritual movement based on internal identity over physical form.

• In a game, this could be a mechanic—characters don’t know what they look like, and appearance-based puzzles involve interpreting how others see you instead of checking a mirror.

This exercise is honestly a goldmine for worldbuilding and game design. You’re not just making things up—you’re stripping something away and watching how that change ripples through an entire culture. Try it yourself: remove music, shoes, lightbulbs, or even the alphabet—and see what kind of creative chaos you unleash.