Thursday, September 20, 2012

How Liberia is like Game of Thrones

Last month, I devoured two seasons of medieval porn (more commonly known as Game of Thrones) in six days. Then I re-entered the outside world and wondered whether I was still in Westeros.

  • Liberia has a recurring cast of lords (called Big Men) vying for the Iron Throne. 
  • Liberia has rebellious wildlings whom the city-dwellers keep an eye on. 
  • Liberia has confusing, drawn out civil wars -- no dragons, though, just gunfire. 
  • Liberians use black magic against their enemies. 
  • Liberia has traditional religions ("the old gods...) and Christianity ("...and the new"). 
  • Introductions to strangers must ultimately answer the question, "Who you ma, who you pa?" 
  • Most of the population lives in super simple shelters.  
  • Prostitutes are a totally regular part of society.  
  • Kids are casually given away to be raised by other families.
This place is almost art. To quote my imaginary friend Method Man, "I like the misery. I like this world."

2 comments:

HerrSlam said...

I'm in the middle of the third book in the Ice and Fire series (on Kindle) and near the end of the 1st season (on iTunes... the 2nd wasn't available when i left the country). Amazingly addictive. And as good as the HBO is, the books are infinitely better. I think I'd go the Dothraki route. The wildling thing is appealing but for the cold; I'm not down with wearing heavy furs all the time.

TLL said...

Dothraki. Why am I not surprised. No clothes, lots of time outdoors, horses you can eat when they start to make you feel inadequate...