Difference between revisions of "Talk:Science fiction"

Revision as of 19:33, January 7, 2008

Dual-user Provenance

My edits to this article as of April 22, 2007, represent a dual submission of content of sole authorship. I am the same person as User:Temlakos on CreationWiki. My contributions to this article are based in part on this version of the CreationWiki article, which is entirely my work. I have, however, expanded on certain concepts that are more appropriate to a general encyclopedia than to one specializing in creation science and creation-informed history.--TerryH^Talk 14:58, 22 April 2007 (EDT)

Hope you don't mind

I hope you don't mind that I made some edits to your article without first discussing them with you. The article is a excellent one, but I thought there should perhaps be a bit more emphasis on the exploration of philosophical and psychological questions as opposed to scientific theories, discoveries and inventions. I've been reading science fiction for more than 40 years, and have long been interested in both the entertaining and the serious sides of the genre. NitramNos 10:14, 8 June 2007 (EDT)

Those edits are friendly.

My understanding of science fiction has grown a little dim; that article reflects all that I remember from the genre before I quit reading it.

One thing puzzles me: from a literary agent who tried to place a manuscript of mine, I now learn that "science fiction" includes even a story that uses an out-of-the-ordinary machine as a plot device. Even a drama involving a spacecraft that NASA could build today now somehow qualifies as "science fiction." Do you agree? Before you answer, let me give you two titles that some might put in this category: Oxygen and The Fifth Man by John Olson and Randall S. Ingermanson. The first title even won the Christy Award for the best futuristic faith-based novel in its year.--TerryH^Talk 10:29, 8 June 2007 (EDT)

I haven't read the stories you mention. I guess, strictly speaking, science fiction could encompass any story that involves a machine, invention etc. that has not yet been built, even if it is possible with current technology, particularly if the machine is crucial to the plot. I must confess, much of my favorite science fiction when I was in school consisted of collections from the science fiction pulp magazines of the 40s and 50s, though I equally enjoyed more serious works. NitramNos 11:32, 8 June 2007 (EDT)

Well, obviously you know more about that genre than I do. Of course, we mustn't feature any content that would have violated the Motion Picture Production Code. That means, of course, that some science-fiction authors would be better not to mention.--TerryH^Talk 11:51, 8 June 2007 (EDT)

Don't worry, I'm not talking about scantily clad females. I'm talking about space ships jetting about the galaxy with ray-gun wielding heroes. NitramNos 12:29, 8 June 2007 (EDT)

That, of course, is what I meant by "escapist" science fiction. You mean Buck Rogers and Flash Gordon, of course. Yes, those are acceptable, because they met the code.--TerryH^Talk 13:05, 8 June 2007 (EDT)

Faith in Sci-Fi?

Ok, this one I gotta have some kinda clarification on this.

So far, from what i've seen of Intelligent Design, Young Earth Creationism, and other "faith-based sciences", I can hardly see where religion can fit into any sci-fi worth it's salt. Could someone give me some examples of this 'faith sci-fi', if any exist? CodyH 2120 7 January 2008 (BST)

example? 10px Fox (talk|contribs) 14:15, 7 January 2008 (EST)

more 10px Fox (talk|contribs) 14:16, 7 January 2008 (EST)

The first one is a loaded answer. You could say the same about Star Trek, Stranger in a Strange Land, etc. The problem is, it is not the pivotal point in the show. Take it out, you still have BS-G (maybe not of the same quality, mind you). And in the second link, yes, there is connection. What is proposed on the main page is a faith-based sci-fi, not a sci-fi with faith inside it. And, honestly, unless you want to count Stranger in a Strange Land by Heinlein, then the examples wear thin. CodyH 2233 7 January 2008 (BST)