[Child of the 7th Age]

Nevtalathiel -- Do you think so? Finding someone to explain science in Middle-earth would be just as difficult, no more and no less, than finding someone to explain true magic in our world. But, by the same token, just as I could visit a scientist in this world who would have an intellectual understanding of the underpinings of science, would not someone like Galadriel have that same understanding of the foundations of "magic"? She might not be willing to speak these words to me, any more than a government scientist would discuss his research in any number of sensitive areas.

But even if I could go to a scientist in my world and a practitioner of magic on Middle-earth for explanation, my understanding in both these areas would, of necessity, be limited. I have no background in either science or magic. Someone could explain to me something relatively simple (i.e, a process like photosynthesis), but there would be many scientific topics where I lack the background and/or the mathematical knowledge to understand more than the rank basics. And surely the same would be true of magic in Middle-earth.

Both science and magic can be used to alter the true nature of the universe. And, although you say that magic operates more in Middle-earth than science or technology, and this is certainly true, I feel that the actual use of magic in Middle-earth is much more limited than in many other fantasy worlds. Magic plays a role, but it is not the constantly used crutch which many other writers rely on to get them through their stories.

Tolkien, I believe, had a desire to let the natural world, the created world which had been ordained by the One on high, operate with minimal interference not only from technology, but even from magic itself. The only exception would be the type of magic actually built into the fabric of Arda. The writer, for example, does not entirely approve of the Elve's use of magic to forestall the natural process of change and decay. And how many times does Gandalf elect to operate as a teacher rather than a magician?

Another question is what do we mean when we use the word "magic"? I am more certain of the meaning of technology, perhaps because I live in a technological world. The hobbits, for example, do not overtly employ "magic", but their relation to the earth--as seen in their dwellings, their sustenence, and even the way they walk upon the soil,-- verges on a magical connection with the natural world.

It could certainly be argued that Sauron and, even to a greater degree, Saruman are guilty of abusing both science and magic in order to try and alter the nature of the world. Tolkien condemned such acts. So Middle-earth may advance a bit more slowly because such abuse was seen as clearly contrary to the purpose and intent of the created world. Perhaps, in the context of Middle-earth, it's just better to go slow. And is that so terrible an assumption given the problems we have created with technology in our own world?
sharon, the 7th age hobbit