User talk:Cguil uk
In Defence of Science Fiction
I have often heard it said that science fiction, SF or sci-fi is irrelevant and that fans and writers are ‘weird’, or 'sad people in anoraks'. Whilst I agree, that there are some very strange people involved with sci-fi, I would argue that you will always get ‘odd-balls’ in any walk of life, and I do not agree that it is irrelevant.
First of all, I would like to point out that, many people confuse science fiction with science fantasy. Admittedly there is a very fine line between the two, which is not easy to define, and that is why you will see both literature's occupying the same shelf at a bookshop or library. Fantasy, in general terms, can be described as "fiction which is not realistic; fiction which could not have taken place in our world as it is in the present, as we know it to have been in the past, or as we might reasonably suppose it to be in the future" (Realms of Fantasy, by M Edward's & Robert Holdstock). However, pure science fiction has a fairly clear origin and historical development, and can be defined as speculative fiction. Although they have a shared ancestry, human imagination, sci-fi could also be defined as the antithesis to science fantasy.
I think that science fiction is thoroughly enjoyable, and yes, some of it is very tongue in cheek, but I do feel that it has a serious side, in that it gets us thinking. More importantly, it encourages us to speculate as to where our future might lie, and it gives us the impetus to do something about it. I see sci-fi as an idea or vision of humanity developing, both as individuals and as a race.
I also believe that there is a two-way trade between science fiction and science fact. Sci-fi is able to introduce ideas to scientists who may include them in their theories. The sci-fi writers then incorporate these theories in their stories. In this way, today's science fiction can become tomorrow's science fact, and science is often stranger than fiction. "Science Fiction Inspires Technology" ~ anon.
To quote from Compton’s Interactive Encyclopaedia (Space Exploration & Science Fiction) - "In a sense, the history of space exploration began when early humans first looked upward and wondered at what they saw in the sky, and wonder, as always, prompted a quest for knowledge. The study of astronomy mingled with, astrology and religion was a feature of every civilization of which there is record. With space exploration, along with new and powerful telescopes it is now possible for humanity to look to the heavens and speculate on other possible worlds and different civilizations. As a realistic picture of the solar system and the universe is evolving, humanities urge to travel beyond its planet is becoming stronger. That urge often finds that expression in literature."
In conclusion, what I will say to those who criticize science fiction is this; at least science fiction fans, and writers, have the imagination to (to quote from Star Trek) "explore strange new worlds, to seek out new civilizations, and to boldly go where no one has gone before!".
Science Fiction Quotes
"For me science fiction is a way of thinking, a way of logic that bypasses a lot of nonsense. It allows people to look directly at important subjects." ~ Gene Roddenberry, creator of "Star Trek".
"We are just an advanced breed of monkeys on a minor planet of a very average star. But we can understand the Universe. That makes us something very special. To confine our attention to terrestrial matters would be to limit the human spirit" ~ Stephen Hawking, Physicist
"Anything you dream is fiction, and anything you accomplish is science, the whole history of mankind is nothing but science fiction" ~ Ray Bradbury, Author
"Science fiction writers foresee the inevitable, and although problems and catastrophes may be inevitable, solutions are not." ~ Isaac Asimov, Author
"Individual science fiction stories may seem as trivial as ever to the blinder critics and philosophers of today -- but the core of science fiction, its essence has become crucial to our salvation if we are to be saved at all." ~ Isaac Asimov, Author