Lord of the Rings vs. Discworld: Two Cosmologies for the Tech Age

This essay contrasts the worldviews presented in *The Lord of the Rings* and Terry Pratchett's *Discworld* series. It argues that *Lord of the Rings*, while a great story, offers a simplistic, deterministic view of technology and society unsuitable for a technologically advanced species. In contrast, *Discworld*, with its ironic and absurdist approach, provides a far superior model for understanding technological progress, societal evolution, and human interaction with these forces. The author advocates for embracing the pluralistic and generative worldview offered by *Discworld* over the limiting, Chosen One narratives of *Lord of the Rings*.