DWPFF: The Emperor's New Clothes

[Mike V]

The President of The Allied Nations of Earth is approached by the leader of of an alien race, the aggressor in a war against another (largely peaceful) race of aliens. The alien leader paints the peaceful race of aliens as fascists (since their society is based upon them sharing a hive mind) and convinces the President that helping them would be the democratic thing to do. Not wanting to appear undemocratic, the President, his advisers and military chiefs all agree to join the war and rush into the conflict. The government of Earth begins spreading propaganda, promoting their involvement in the war as serving democracy.

The story shifts forward in time and concludes with huge crowds gathering on Earth to celebrate victory in the war, the President is elated. The crowds are initially cheering at images from the battlefield, showing Earth soldiers standing over fallen alien bodies of all sizes. A child then asks his mother why the alien children in the images are dead and the crowd goes quiet and then starts questioning why they are at war. The President is told about the backlash but he simply dismisses the people as ignorant.

[jrod]

Originally Posted by Mike V

The President of The Allied Nations of Earth is approached by the leader of of an alien race, the aggressor in a war against another (largely peaceful) race of aliens. The alien leader paints the peaceful race of aliens as fascists (since their society is based upon them sharing a hive mind) and convinces the President that helping them would be the democratic thing to do. Not wanting to appear undemocratic, the President, his advisers and military chiefs all agree to join the war and rush into the conflict. The government of Earth begins spreading propaganda, promoting their involvement in the war as serving democracy.

The story shifts forward in time and concludes with huge crowds gathering on Earth to celebrate victory in the war, the President is elated. The crowds are initially cheering at images from the battlefield, showing Earth soldiers standing over fallen alien bodies of all sizes. A child then asks his mother why the alien children in the images are dead and the crowd goes quiet and then starts questioning why they are at war. The President is told about the backlash but he simply dismisses the people as ignorant.

One of the more endearing aspects of the original fable is the fact that the emperor is never purposefully lying, his pride and conceit is what causes him to continue the deception. He doesn't know he deceiving anybody, he just believes that people are too stupid to see the truth. I'm wondering if this story can fit into that construct, like the evil aliens convince the President that age is unimportant on this other alien world since they all share the same mind.

It's becomes an allegory, of sorts, of some our current wars and problems. The pictures of "collateral damage" shown alongside pictures of 8-year-olds with machine guns. Someone with common sense can discern the difference between the two, someone with a warped view will see them as one and the same.

This way we can keep the President's motivations as simply, "look, you guys don't know what's really going on." Just a thought.

[chris stevens]

this one didn't work for me but i appreciate the effort. happy to read anything else you come up with!

[Mike V]

Originally Posted by jrod

One of the more endearing aspects of the original fable is the fact that the emperor is never purposefully lying, his pride and conceit is what causes him to continue the deception. He doesn't know he deceiving anybody, he just believes that people are too stupid to see the truth.

Well I was going to keep the President as well-meaning as possible and again use his pride as the reasoning for him going along with what he is told. Only instead of a fear of looking foolish, I was going to focus on the fear of appearing undemocratic. Now though, I may use this premise as part of another story I am working on but I might make the President's motives a little more layered and not-so-innocent.

Originally Posted by jrod

like the evil aliens convince the President that age is unimportant on this other alien world since they all share the same mind.

I really like this idea, hope you don't mind if I borrow it?

Originally Posted by chris stevens

this one didn't work for me but i appreciate the effort. happy to read anything else you come up with!

Thanks, I might try and post another pitch tomorrow, something a bit more fitting. Do you mind if I ask for a bit more detail on why this one didn't work? Was it the story, the pitch or both? I have my own suspicions but any extra feedback I can get would be a bonus.

Thanks for your replies!

[jrod]

Originally Posted by Mike V

I really like this idea, hope you don't mind if I borrow it?

Editors don't own edits, it's yours.

[The Anti-crest]

Originally Posted by Mike V

Thanks, I might try and post another pitch tomorrow, something a bit more fitting. Do you mind if I ask for a bit more detail on why this one didn't work? Was it the story, the pitch or both? I have my own suspicions but any extra feedback I can get would be a bonus.

Thanks for your replies!

This is purely speculation but I think having dead children in an all ages book is a no go.