Against Worldbuilding: Why “worldbuilding” is the most overrated and overused concept in fiction
Lincoln Mitchel critiques the modern obsession with worldbuilding in fiction, particularly its overuse and misapplication beyond fantasy and science fiction. While worldbuilding is vital for some large-scale narratives like A Song of Ice and Fire or The Lord of the Rings, Michel argues that it is often overvalued, even in genres where it originated. Instead, he proposes an alternative concept: worldconjuring. Rather than constructing a fully logical, encyclopedic world, worldconjuring creates a vivid impression of a world through suggestion and imagination, leaving space for readers to fill in the gaps. Ultimately, Michel argues: fiction is about story, not constructing airtight universes. Worldbuilding may serve a narrative, but it should never dominate it.