Creating a collective world
Learning to create together
When I was a child, I developed a deep fondness for the X-Men, first encountering them through the 1990s animated series that aired in Brazil, years after its original release. Rogue, with her formidable strength and never ending personal drama, quickly became my ideal female role model. During my teenage years, I immersed myself in Rogue fan fiction, eager to explore every narrative about her that I could discover. My fascination led to creating numerous drawings, collecting her action figures, and buying the comics every month for several years.
The experience I've described is quite common. Many people grow attached to characters and stories in their youth. However, often these beloved tales are more than just stories; they are intellectual property owned by corporations. Consequently, anyone who wishes to build upon these characters cannot commercially exploit their own creations without acquiring a costly and often unattainable license.
One trend that has been steadily growing across the vast expanse of the internet is the proliferation of endless remixes. On platforms like TikTok, an influencer's success is often gauged by their ability to set trends. When more accounts remix their content or craft new videos that echo the original, it elevates the significance of the original piece. Yet, these other creators are not required to limit themselves; they frequently initiate a new trend that, while related, diverges from the original. This process is a fundamental aspect of human creativity; we are in a constant cycle of learning from and building upon each other's work.
In envisioning the future of the creative industry, we should consider one that fosters cooperation and values the acknowledgment of sources. There are notable examples of stories that have flourished through a community of contributors. A significant influence on my understanding of this subject has been the writings of Simon de la Rouviere, an early Ethereum contributor known for his work on bonding curves, and a multi-faceted personality as a sci-fi writer, critic, and editor. I had the privilege of collaborating with him on the publication of the first Little Martians sci-fi short story. Here’s a quote from his personal newsletter:
-‘“Secure. Contain. Protect.” (SCP) is a wiki that details a fictional Foundation’s attempt at containing and documenting anomalies in our real world. Most of the content takes the form of wiki pages that describe containment procedures, class, and descriptions of fictional anomalies. Since its origin in 2007/2008, it has gone on to make a big impact in the horror/paranormal space and is a definitive example of a successful media franchise that uses open IP & creative collaboration. From its kernel of wiki pages, people have gone on to create successful video games, films, books, and many YouTube videos from it.’
Collaborative storytelling possesses a unique power. The more artists and creatives a fictional universe attracts, the more robust it becomes. However, this approach is not without its challenges. If a universe becomes too diluted, allowing any story to fit in, it risks losing its identity, rendering inclusion in it less meaningful. Conversely, overly strict rules can inhibit innovation. Therefore, striking a balance is crucial.
In developing the Little Martians universe, I've embraced an organic growth approach. Over the past few years, I have been honing the techniques, concepts, and aesthetics, gradually learning how to collaborate effectively with others. During various editions of Mars College, I invited participants to craft their own Little Martians sculptures and to imbue them with stories and voices. This process has taught me to identify genuine collaborators and to spotlight creations that I believe possess a certain spark.
I envision the long-term roadmap for Little Martians as comprising several evolving layers. At its heart are the core contributors, steering the project's development. Then there are the participants of Little Martians study groups, both in-person and online, as well as those who engage with the universe or acquire collectibles. Central to these layers is the official website, which showcases the Little Martians canon. This site aims to offer an introduction to the world and its characters, featuring interactive applications, research, tutorials, documentation, products, and everything else deemed relevant by the core team.
When a participant from a study group creates a Little Martian character or a spin-off, and if this creation is acknowledged by the core contributors for its artistic value, it should be highlighted as part of the canon. It aligns with the core group’s interest to encourage the creation of compelling Little Martians stories, that’s why the production of tutorials and irl classes is essential to the project. The primary objective for the core team should be to realize the fullest potential of Little Martians, crafting the most intriguing and captivating universe they’re capable of.
Currently, I envision several types of stories within the Little Martians universe. Firstly, there are the stories of the Little Martians themselves and their unique physical reality. These narratives encompass speculative biology, interplanetary sociology, speculative design, and simulation theory, all integral to their world. Next, we have stories narrated by Little Martians from within the simulation, such as AI-transformed footage made by the project’s participants, like the wheelie games at Mars College. Finally, there are tales featuring other characters, with uploaded minds or notable humans as protagonists.
The synergy between the physical and digital realms is crucial in the Little Martians Universe. Therefore, all sculptures should be 3D scanned and minted as NFTs. In the future, these sculptures will ideally include little houses equipped with NFC chips. Significant digital entities should manifest in our world through physical sculptures. Murals transform into special portals to metaverses. When the human community of Little Martians convenes to discuss the canon, they should engage in a ritual within a Shrine, a location featuring a mural and several sculptures, all enhanced by AI-powered interactivity.
Making the project into a self sustaining enterprise is also key. Revenue from the sale of collectibles and other potential income sources should contribute to the project's funds. These funds are intended to cover the expenses of the Little Martians project and to support the core contributors in line with their respective roles. We aim to implement smart contracts for streamlined fund management, enabling automatic revenue splitting. As the group of core contributors expands, transitioning into a DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization) structure is envisioned.
Little Martians is a project with a long-term vision. It revolves around crafting stories that inspire us to envision worlds we would love to inhabit. Stories have the power to shape our reality. This journey is about embracing curiosity, enjoying the learning process, and sharing these experiences with the world. It's about preserving the things we cherish through both stories and physical artworks.
So, dear fellow human,
Welcome to the Little Martians Universe!
