Nonfictional science fiction
Submitted by stormgirl_blue on Sun, 2007-08-05 11:49.New book disguises science truths as science fiction
well done!
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I fail to see what's so exceptional about this particular aspect of Bova's book. All good SF is based on good science, whether it is biology, astrophysics or behavioral science. Kim Stanley Robinson is another author with a clear scientific conscience whose books about the colonization of Mars are some of the best SF ever written.
I have issues with science in science fiction that I find not to be credible. I simply cannot accept it. One example is Battlestar Galactica, the TV scifi series, which I happen to like for many reasons except its poor science. One of my favorite SF writers, Alastair Reynolds, has hinted at having the same problem with bad science in that show. But then, BG is scifi and not science fiction. There's a difference.
Ok, I have to ask. What is the difference between sci-fi and science fiction? My best guess is that one is based on science fact while the other leans toward fantasy...less theoretically plausible Yes, no?
Science fiction is the hardcore stuff, it's well researched, well-written and is based on actual or plausible science, focusing on ideas and themes that are traditional in the genre. Typical hardcore science fiction themes are time travel, colonization of other worlds, alien encounters, artificial intelligence and androids (Isaac Asimov's robot novels and short stories), cyberpunk (William Gibson invented much of this sub genre) and space opera.
Scifi on the other hand is a narrative that could take any fictional form and just happens to take place in space or in a setting where science is the new magic, where humans depend on high technology or have integrated it high tech into their lives. It is "science fantasy", the way I see it. Star Wars as compared to Star Trek is a good example of scifi version science fiction. The former relies on sterotypical themes and ideas whereas the other surprisingly often take on science fiction themes, often of a deep philosophical kind. ST often explores the questions of what it means to be human, what is ethical and what is not and whether AIs should be entitled the same rights as humans.
Ok, I get you. I wasn't so far off in my guess, then. I am officially enlightened now and will write accordingly. :) Merci beaucoup.
How long will it take Oprah to sue authors and publishing companies for categorizing books as fiction when it's actually true??? We want our money back!!