Tuesday, August 14, 2012

What Is Your Definition Of Science Fiction?

Robert A. Heinlein, author and critic:

Science fiction is "realistic speculation about possible future events, based solidly on adequate knowledge of the real world, past and present, and on a thorough understanding of the nature and significance of the scientific method" (quoted by Knight in Bishop, Nebula Awards 25, 3).

Theodore Sturgeon, author:

"'A good science-fiction story is a story about human beings, with a human problem, and a human solution, which would not have happened at all without its science content'" (as quoted in Atheling, More Issues, 12).

George Hay:

"Science fiction is what you find on the shelves in the library marked science fiction."
(Aforementioned quotes were borrowed from Dr. Agatha Taormina's web page): http://www.nvcc.edu/home/ataormina/beyond/


Which of these quotations aligns with your definition of Science Fiction? Please respond thoughtfully using references to class discussion, prior knowledge, science fiction literature, science fiction films, etc... Type using complete sentences. This blog response is due by 2:30p.m. on Friday, August 24th, 2012.

30 comments:

  1. Science fiction is literature that has to do with unrealistic ideas involving outer space or extra terrestrials. It is a genre of novels that usually involves adventure and mystery.

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  2. Science fiction is literature based on scientific ideals. Also it can involve the ideals and theories about technology and scienced based subjects.

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  3. science fiction is the collection of non-reality stories and ideas that can be, but not always, connected to real life science and can do with the perception and encounter of extra terrestrials, as well as time travel, and the possibility of space travel.

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  4. The second definition aligns most with my own definition of science fiction. A science fiction story is more about the humans than the technology, although the technology plays a huge role of course. Humans make the story what it is, without humans the story wouldn't be much or very interesting to read. The things in these stories are our own creations, and the result, whether good or bad, is the theme in most science fiction stories.

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  5. Science fiction writing is literature or films that revolve around the problem solving due to the function or misuse of unrealistic objects during the time in which the story was written. This definition relates mostly to Theodore Sturgeon’s definition. Think back to science fiction films, short stories, and novels, the plot usually doesn’t pick up until unusual machines or items are used, and it usually precedes some form of mayhem. In the prequel of Star Treck, space and time travel was used to seek revenge on something that hadn’t yet happened,and uses the unrealistic technology to get that revenge. Technology is what science fiction is based on, without the technological aspect to it, science fiction would cease to exist.

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  6. Science fiction is a genre of a book or movie that is made up. The stuff in science fiction books or films are most likely unreal or is set in the future. Science fiction examples are like Harry Potter and the famous Star Wars films. The technology in science fiction makes us as humans wounder what the world will look like in 40 or 50 years.

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  7. My definition of science fiction would problably be most similar to Heinlien's definition. Science fiction is a fictional film or piece of literature that tries to depict the future. The authors of science fiction often try to take current technology and exagerate it to come up with a realistic vision for the future. Thats where the word "science" comes from in the term science fiction.

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  8. George Hay hit the nail right on the head with his definition of science fiction. Every definition I've heard so far has the words "science" and "fiction" used in a way to explain what Science Fiction is (which to me, is redundant). George Hay's definition is simple and the easiest way to define science fiction.

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  9. To me, science fiction is any piece of literature that has to do with future technology. Heinlein's quote aligns with mine more closely than the others because his definition really involves the future more than them. Personally, I have never encountered a science fiction piece that wasn't futuristic.

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  10. Robert A. Heinlein, quotes that "Science fiction is "realistic speculation about possible future events, based solidly on adequate knowledge of the real world, past and present, and on a thorough understanding of the nature and significance of the scientific method" this relates to my definition of science fiction because he is saying of the possible future events that could occur based on current events. Reading of science fiction, in my encounters revolve mainly around what is happening in the future but based on today's current problems.

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  11. I agree with Robert A. Heinlein's definition. I think that science fiction is based on ideas of futuristic and technological advances and changes in human society. These ideas are viewed through todays' literature and gives us a look at what the world will like be in many years.

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  12. Science fiction is a genre of literature that has potential to happen in the future, but not today. Usually science fiction involves futuristic concepts or technology such as time travel, robots, teleportation, or mind reading. Therefore, I agree with the definition given by Robert A. Heinlein.

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  13. My definition of science fiction is a fictional story that’s based off of ideas of future science technology and environmental and social changes. The slideshow has helped portray what science fiction is with the flying ships and mysterious places that the characters explore. I do think that George Hay has the best and most simple definition though.

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  14. I would have to agree with Robert Heinlein,
    Science fiction is speculation about possible future events, based on the real world events and ideas-past and present. The only thing I would add to that definition is the use of technological devices. Whenever I think of science fiction films, “The Last Mimzy” comes to mind (has anyone seen this movie?). The Last Mimzy is about two children who find futuristic toys, including a toy “Mimzy”;
    a stuffed rabbit that is actually a high tech device from the future, sent back into the past to avert an ecological disaster that has destroyed the future world. Interaction with the devices causes the children to develop increased intelligence and abilities (such as telepathy, levitation, telekinesis, teleportation, and the ability to communicate with bugs). Mimzy has brought a message from
    humanity's future-pollution has corrupted humanity’s DNA. Many rabbits like Mimzy were sent to the past, but none had successfully returned; Mimzy is the last one remaining. Mimzy explains to the children that they must use the toys as a time machine to return her to the future with uncorrupted 21st century DNA, which the people of the future can use to save their species. I included “The Last Mimzy” in this post because I think it is the perfect example of a science fiction film; bringing together the past and future; using technological devices (a large aspect of all science fiction); and it is a “realistic speculation about possible future events”-the destruction of humanity due to pollution.

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  15. Science Fiction to me is fiction that has the possibility to become or is rooted in reality. I think science fiction also paves the way forward for science. It sort of provides the goals and ideas for scientists to make reality and work toward. I don't think there could be science fiction without science or science without science fiction.

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  16. Science fiction is a type of writing that deals with plausible but undeveloped technologies, ideas and situations, particularly time travel, aliens, parallel universes, paranormal activities, space travel, and the future. Science fiction is often rational, and explores the possibilities, usually cautionary, about emerging and powerful technologies. Science fiction seems to feed off of science, and science broadens its ideas because of science fiction, noting problems that the authors discover, and either exploiting of fixing these hazards.

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  17. George Hays quote was most relatable to my definition of science fiction. I know what science fiction is, it is about the future and inventions that are not real, but I have personally never read a science fiction book. I have only seen some of the star wars movies.

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  18. Science Fiction is literature used to portray future technologies and to inspire scientists to create new inventions. When Science Fiction was first created the inventions mentioned were materialized in the new future. To sum up, Science Fiction novels are like the draw up of new technology and Scientists handle the rest.

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  19. Robert A. Heinlein’s statement coincides with my own thoughts, because he incorporates the concept of understanding nature and the significance of the scientific method. His approach reaches a personal level of connection with me since his words show that evolution, as well as the other inhabitants of our planet, obtain a significant role in this genre. Although some people may assume that literature’s role is to create a desired change in society, the critic’s words prove that often its sole use is to challenge the reader and make him accept a new idea, a different perspective on the universe. Novels such as Frankenstein show that science fiction excels in painting the big picture that addresses more than human issues and focuses on the creation of new living things.

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  20. Science fiction is a type of literature with unrealistic ideas. Its a section of books in the library that I have never really looked into, but heard about the class and decided to take it too learn more. It is a unfamiliar topic to me. Which is why this class will be good for me.

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  21. Science fiction is a type of literature that uses futuristic ideas and the topics of escape and invasion. It allows readers to see what it could be like in the future, changing their outlook on life and what's ahead. It utilizes things such as futuristic gadgets and modes of travel to draw the reader into a new exciting world.

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  22. Robert A. Heinlein's quotation aligns with my definition of science fiction because it's based on a more realistic insight into the future versus something that can be classified as fantasy or something unrealistic. I would say science fiction is an obtainable future, not now but maybe in the next 5, 10, 50, 100 years or so but it's obtainable, that's my definition of science fiction.

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  23. Theodore Sturgeon aligns with my definition of science fiction because science fiction is what cases new invention and solutions to a problem. The technology that we have today would not exist without someone creating the idea of the invention. The idea of the invention is considered science fiction because it does not really exist yet. When the invention is physically created, it then becomes reality.

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  24. Science fiction is the expression of ideas that are ahead of the time period that they come from. Science fiction is also sometimes used by scientists for the base of new inventions.

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  25. Science Fiction is literature is based on scientific beliefs that are too advanced for the current time period, which thus my definition is almost the same with Robert A. Heinlein. If we use science fiction ideas today, we could change the world.

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  26. Science Fiction is the exploration of Scientific ideas through a novel, in which the writer goes beyond the known into a probable theorem.

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  27. I think science fiction doesn't necessarily have to be about humans with human problems...it could be about another alien race or about animals native to Earth... intelligent or unintelligent, with a problem that can be most effectively solved by science.

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  28. I believe science fiction is a persons view on the possible future. science fiction focuses on one flaw of society and exaggerates it using aliens, computers, monarchies, and many other possibilities of the future.

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  29. I think science fiction is a way mankind expresses their hopes, dreams and even their nightmares in a reality that questions our daily lives and asks troubling questions we dare not face. Such as "Is this really happening?" "Am I dreaming this?" We use science fiction to explain the unknown and the supernatural to feel like we know what is going on.

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  30. I think that Science Fiction is on the boarder of real and fake if you can imagine it then it can be made but science fiction is not real because the machines or the events in science fiction haven't happened yet or haven't been invented yet. This is Science Fiction to me a unreal reality.

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