Charting the rise of imaginary worlds in history

Abstract

Abstract Fictions with imaginary worlds such as Star Wars, Harry Potter, Game of Thrones or One Piece are achieving global success in industrialized societies. This paper investigates the historical trajectory and psychological underpinnings of this phenomenon. Study 1 (N = 51,169 novels and 50,928 movies) documents a clear increase in the prevalence and centrality of imaginary worlds from antiquity to the modern era. Study 2 demonstrates a historical shift toward imaginary worlds that are increasingly rich in detail, systematically structured, and internally plausible. Study 3 shows that economic development correlates with an increase in the popularity of imaginary worlds more than time does, suggesting that greater material security fosters curiosity and cultural engagement with cohesive imaginary worlds. This body of work illuminates an important aspect of modernity, namely the rise of imaginary worlds, and demonstrates that this could be explained as the results of the rise of curiosity among modern audiences.