First, let me state this does not relate at all to Anime/Manga, meaning
you cannot cite such examples to refute me.  But I can see that you are
a widely read group, so most (some?) shouldn't have too much problems
following me.

Think, if you will, of the traditional magic imbued environment.  The
classic example is the Dragon Lance world; it comes complete with
magicians, warriors, gods, and most importantly (to me :) dragons. 
Can't say I see any enormous mecha monsters, do you? 

This lack of technology struck me most forcibily when I was reading The
Belgariad series by David Eddings, and they were talking of some new
innovation with pulleys in war.  You don't normally see that kind of
practical non-magical invention, so I started to think.  

Does the presense of magic inhibit technology?  For surely, necessity is
the mother of invention, and who needs to invent anything when you can
summon your local wizard?  

But when, I think, the magic is extremely limited to few people, as in
the Belgariad, technology does advance.  Now you could cite L.E.
Modesitt's Reluce and the Magical Engineer, and yeah, I guess that's an
exception.  Consider, though, Xanth.  Everyone has some magic power, or
properties.  They thought cars were dragons, for crissake!  You wouldn't
call them tech advanced, or for that matter, advancing.  Why when they
can just go to the Good Magician?  

Agree, disagree, modifications?


Alandra.