They swagger into the saloon. Riding off into the sunset. A mysterious drifter who's good with a gun. We're all familiar with the typical tropes seen in western films, shows and books. What we're not familiar with is how we're still using them in our modern sci-fi and fantasy stories. We'll discuss the appeal of western tropes and why they continue to be intriguing. We'll discuss how sometimes stripping away the modern technologies and embracing a little western simplicity can make for a story that resonates with us all.