What makes science fiction?
September 24th, 2007
As some of the more discerning readers of this blog know, we have a list of Science Fiction films that you just plain enjoy growing. The purpose being to gather together a list of scifi films that aren’t necessarily academy award winning pictures, or completely plausible or even that well made. They are just enjoyable and the only reason may be that for example you think the space shuttles in Armageddon are cool.
We’ve had no problem populating the list so far and it’s growing at a semi decent rate and I fully expect to reach the magic number of 100 (even if I have to suggest them all). But after a couple of discussions with people like Dan and Richo there are a couple of definition issues.
First off after the holy trinity of Star Wars was suggested Dan rightly so asked if we weren’t leaving them out and focusing on the more forgotten gems. My ruling in this is that if it’s enjoyable for some reason then it can be on the list because to be honest I wouldn’t know where to draw the line. But you still have to give a reason why you enjoy it - it can’t be along the lines of I’ve seen this important German science fiction film and I’m ever so clever for suggesting it.
I want suggestions like “Johnny Mnemonic, because I like seeing dolphins that are drugged out and can talk in tanks in digital apocalyptic environments and I think it’s cool when Keanu says ‘whoa’.” Types of suggestions.
The second issue is more to do with what is science fiction. Now this is a lot harder and it makes my head hurt just vaguely thinking about it.
I like these two comments:
“a handy short definition of almost all science fiction might read: realistic speculation about possible future events, based solidly on adequate knowledge of the real world, past and present, and on a thorough understanding of the nature and significance of the scientific method.”
Robert A. Heinlein
and
“…fantasy is the impossible made probable. Science Fiction is the improbable made possible.”
Rod Serling
I don’t think that these quotes cover all of science fiction and it’s still going to be a hard one to make decisions on.
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Science fiction: What geeks like.
There, solved it for you.
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LOL that could very well be the defining feature!!
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Frederick Pohl put it best in this possibly apocryphal story.
Mr. Pohl, what is science fiction?
“Science fiction is what I buy as an editor.”
And, what kind of stories do you buy?
“Science fiction.”
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I really like that definition and will probably take that approach to the list from here on in (hey it’s my list). Also you have no idea how exciting it was to make your Link Rogers.
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