Huh. I didn't know "Jingo" was based on real history

[roseembolism]

Admittedly the concept that Pratchett was satirizing- of fighting over a useless piece of land- is an old one.  But then again, perhaps Pratchett knew about this:


Ferdinandea: the disappearing island that caused an international incident. 

Interestingly, it wasn't just two, but three  countries that got involved in this strategically located rock pile,; fortunately, it disappeared before it caused any fighting to erupt.In any case, it points out the potentially lethal silliness that geopolitical concerns can lead to.

And right now I'm considering how the equivalent could be done in a fantasy or science fiction setting; a resource of some sort that's valuable enough to get people in power racing to claim it, only to disappear.

Comments

[devonapple.livejournal.com]

Fascinating!

Ferdinandea...
Rl'Yeh....

hmmm....

[roseembolism.livejournal.com]

Which explains why the Big C will go on a rampage. Not because the stars are right, but because Britain and France will claim his island as their property, and then it'll sink. That's enough to make ANY homeowner mad, and insurance will not cover the flooding....