Inspiring the Impossible: Paleontology’s Influence on Sci-Fi and Fantasy

How do creative minds bring to life the fantasy and sci-fi worlds of Avatar, Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings, and Star Wars, and video games like Monster Hunter, Elden Ring, and Pokémon? What would these worlds and the creatures in them be like if not for our knowledge of the vast fossil record and geologic history? Our modern world is rich with inspiration, but it is grounded and preceded by the past. 99% of all life is extinct and our modern world represents a fraction of Earth’s 4.6-billion-year history. Join Dr. Kiersten Formoso and discover the rich way that paleontology and geology have influenced creative minds.