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Apr. 7th, 2007
a bit on genre
Apr. 7th, 2007 05:11 pmThe New York Review of Science Fiction (December 1998, Vol. 11, No.4
Granted this article was almost nine years ago. But I think he still raises some valid points, and misses one important question.
The question being..why do we read science fiction/fantasy? I personally think there are several reasons, which in the individual can of course blend together.
1. Pure escapism. To a great extent many people read the genres for exactly this reason. After all, they tend to be happy ending stories with the tension carried out in quasi-imaginary settings that do not have to make us too tense.
2. Extrapolation. That is..those writings which try to take a trend or science and extrapolate the possibile end point.
3. what if? a bit like the second but with more possibilities in the plot. In the 90s this was a fairly heavy subset..even venturing out of the ghetto at times with its alternative history section.
4. Philosophy/politics.This was a fairly popular set in the late 60s and 70s. Using science fiction (and fantasy to a lesser part) as a core to try and make a philosophy statement. Sometimes they were even readable.
5.hormones. Ok..it made sf in the 50s and it is still around today.
I am sure there are more, these just happen to be what I thought of from the top of my fingertips.
5.
Granted this article was almost nine years ago. But I think he still raises some valid points, and misses one important question.
The question being..why do we read science fiction/fantasy? I personally think there are several reasons, which in the individual can of course blend together.
1. Pure escapism. To a great extent many people read the genres for exactly this reason. After all, they tend to be happy ending stories with the tension carried out in quasi-imaginary settings that do not have to make us too tense.
2. Extrapolation. That is..those writings which try to take a trend or science and extrapolate the possibile end point.
3. what if? a bit like the second but with more possibilities in the plot. In the 90s this was a fairly heavy subset..even venturing out of the ghetto at times with its alternative history section.
4. Philosophy/politics.This was a fairly popular set in the late 60s and 70s. Using science fiction (and fantasy to a lesser part) as a core to try and make a philosophy statement. Sometimes they were even readable.
5.hormones. Ok..it made sf in the 50s and it is still around today.
I am sure there are more, these just happen to be what I thought of from the top of my fingertips.
5.
I get along with whom please?
Apr. 7th, 2007 07:02 pm| You Are the Thumb |
 You're unique and flexible. And you defy any category. Mentally strong and agile, you do things your own way. And you do them well. You are a natural leader... but also truly a loner. You inspire many but connect with few. You get along well with: The Middle Finger Stay away from: The Pinky |