h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I think one of the things I love about it is, you can do anything with it, all you have to do is say What If......... and you can create any kind of world.

you can illustrate things with science fiction that you can't do any other way, take the film waterworld which I loved, but no one else seemed to, shows what if the ice caps melted, and whats more that intrests me, is the consequences of that happening

what if you had a world that such and such happened how would things be how would thay do this and so on

I agree. It makes sci-fi very fun!

Another thing I like is that you can use sci-fi to make really great subtle social commentary! For instance, you could discuss racism by discussing how one alien race treats another -- and a real-life racist may actually listen! Of course, books like Fahrenheit 454 and Brave New World are other examples.

Science fiction[1] is certainly a very 'freeing' literature and you make a valid point that it allows the exploration of issues that would not be tackled elsewhere.

Importantly however it must also work as literature. To use a rather famous quote (although I can't recall the source but it was an US science fiction author) "If you've got a message, use Fed Ex". i.e. science fiction is primarily and art form, that it can talk about things is the bonus not the point.


[1] Being an old fashioned genre snob I don't like the term Sci Fi

Z

I agree. You must certainly have a great deal of artfullness to pull off this trick without coming across as preachy. But hey, if Star Trek can do it, it can't be too impossible...

The reason I like Science Fiction,is simply for the sheer escapism the genre allows.I hate soaps,as they,to me,are so very boring,I mean as if we have`nt got enough going on in our own lives to worry about what happens to certain characters in the banile world of primetime viewing.When I watch tv or read a book,I want to be immersed in a world where my imagination can run totally rampant.I want to see other peoples view of the future(although I know not all Sceience Fiction is about the future),I want to experience the hopes and travesties that are the product of similar thinking minds.Of course a great example of this is the man himself,god rest his soul,Douglas Adams.The man was,without a shadow of a doubt,a genius.When I read his books,I was totally shut off from any outside stimuli.Engrossed.
That is what great Science Fiction should do,take you away,make you forget about lifes woes,even if it is for only a short time but the offshoot is the feeling of complete and utter refeshment.How many times has the last episode of Eastenders done that for you!! I can now face the boring,drab outside world again but safe in the knowledge that I can,and invariably will,return to that heady world of my imagination.
All I say now is a huge thank you to the past and present pioneers of Science Fiction and Fantasy for letting us into your minds and sharing your imaginations with us.The world is now a much more bearable place,thanks to you.Thank you

Well said, MojoRising.

don't watch eastenders I've got enough real life as it is, not that its that near to real life...........

different visions of the future is great and the best thing is that their all not quite right, because the future will always surprise you