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 Monday, January 14th, 2013.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I think that George Hay's definition of Science Fiction aligns the most with my definition of Science Fiction. When Science Fiction comes to my mind, the picture I see it Aliens, and spaceships. The only experience I have with Science Fiction is The Twilight Zone, and all the neighbors suspect that someone on the block is an alien, sent to observe the human race.
ReplyDeleteI think that Robert Heinlein's quote is the most similar to my definition of science fiction. I think that science fiction is a piece of writing that gives insight into a possible future. Science fiction could be a possibility whereas fantasy is not a possibility. The first science fiction series, "The Frank Reade Library", gave predictions about the future that eventually came true. I most agree with Robert Heinlein when he said in his quote that science fiction is a "realistic speculation about possible future events".
ReplyDeleteBased on our talks about “The Frank Reade Library” series, I think that Robert A. Heinlein’s quote best aligns with my description of science fiction books. I think this because in our talk we decided that Frank Reade’s inventions may have been “futuristic” at the time, but eventually all of his inventions from the steam man to the air-ships were made, aligning with Heinlein’s “possible future” idea. I also agree with Heinlein’s statement because I think it most closely relates to our theme of extrapolation. Heinlein said that science fiction is based on our knowledge of the real word, past and present; and we defined extrapolation as inferences based on the trends we see, both in the past and in the present.
ReplyDeleteRobert Heinlein's quote is closest to my definition of science fiction. I believe science fiction is the thought of the future and what it will look like and what it will be like. The science fiction series "The Frank Reade Library" had all kinds of inventions that most of which were developed and created in the future. I agree with Heinlein's science fiction definition about the forethought of the future and what it entails.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree most with Theodore Sturgeons quote. Science fiction is truly about people. The Science part is used in many ways, such as giving people an outside perspective on a situation they are familiar with, helping them relate to others, or just bringing people together. Perhaps a good example is that it provides perspective. In all of humanities struggles with itself, of nations and empires fighting each other, it reminds us that we are all human, in the end.
ReplyDeleteI have based my definition of science fiction mostly on movies and tv shows. My definition is very similar to Robert A. Heinlein's because he describes science fiction as, the future events based on the knowledge of the past and present of the real world. I believe that these movies and tv shows were made with these particular idea in mind. They made plot-lines that were somewhat relatable to the present world and achieved this by looking back into the past and the successes we have made to reach a better and imaginable future.
ReplyDeleteI'm not much of a science fiction fan, so I've never actually read any real science fiction pieces. From what we've learned in class, I assume it's a lot like fantasy but instead of wizards and fantastic creatures, it has scientists, inventors, aliens, and robots. I look forward to learning more about the genre. So according to this, I best align with George Hay's definition.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with Theodore Sturgeon’s definition of science-fiction. The root of a work of science fiction is nearly always about people who are aided by science. Take Star Wars; it is about humans, who have a human problem of good vs. evil, which there is ultimately a human solution of killing the corrupt emperor, all with the use of science (light sabers, blaster rifles, etc.). I don’t agree when George Hay says science-fiction is about “future events.” Star Wars is set “A long time ago,” which is in the past, not the future. George Hay’s definition is undeniably truthful, but it doesn't get to the heart of what science-fiction really is.
ReplyDeleteAfter reviewing these opinions about the definition of Science Fiction, I would have to agree most with Robert A. Heinlein’s statement. I believe Science Fiction is rooted in the future, and it is more of a hypothetical situation that has the potential to become a reality. As with our first project, Schools in 2053, Science Fiction plays a large role in the creation of future educational technology because it involves “adequate knowledge of the real world” to create something substantial for students and educators of the future.
ReplyDeleteI think that Robert Heinlein's quote is the most similar to my definition of science fiction. When I think of science fiction I think of something that could happen in the future, where fantasy is something that would not happen. Science fiction is the thought of the future based on what has happened in the past, and what it will look and be like later on in life. Science fiction is also the most related to the theme of extrapolation.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading all the definitions of "science fiction" I found that Robert A. Heinlein's definition of it, is the definition that most accurately described my view of science fiction. In one of our class discussions one student mentioned how Star Trek influenced the invention of the cell phone. Star Trek is a science fiction series that proposed a possible furtuistic idea just like Heinlein described. Another thing that I read in the article we read for class was that Thomas Edison influenced a lot of ideas that went into science fiction. As quoted by Heinlein it was an, "adequate knowledge of the real world, past and present." I think that is what science fiction is all about, using present knowledge to look into the future.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the descriptions of different points of view, I can closely relate to George Hay. I do not know much about science fiction, and although he states, "Science fiction is what you find on the shelves in the library marked science fiction" I would argue that statement after the semester ends. I look forward to the class, and expanding my knowledge on science fiction.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Theodore Sturgeon’s quote best represents science fiction. Science fiction is about connecting to characters on an emotional level. The genre tells the story with the use of more theatrical means, such as aliens, spaceships, and robots. At the heart of it all is people, with authors trying to connect their characters with readers. Using more exciting and readable plot lines than their competition, such as Frank Reade’s popular series about a traveling group of adventures and scientists.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the different quotes I feel that I relate most to George Hay because I have never really had a strong interest with science fiction. I always related it to things that don’t really exist to the human experience. I think that with our scientific advances we will uncover many mysteries that some of these stories present. I’m interested to learn more about science fiction and what really makes science fiction, science fiction.
ReplyDeleteI agree the most with Heinlin's definition because it sounds the most like what wev'e been talking about in class.Which is how science fiction is really grounded in reality. It's just that we might not necesarily be able to achieve these things yet. Evidence of this was given in the packet that talked about Frank reade and his inventions such as the steam man, submarine and air needle. None of those things used to be possible but now they are. So by using extrapolation we know that anything that is grounded in reality but hasn't been achieved yet will be possible in the future , but for now it's just called science fiction.
ReplyDeleteMy definition relates closest to Mr. Hay's definition. When thinking or making references to science fisction, I picture characters similar to those in Star Wars and Planet of the Apes. I also picture ideas or objects that relate to the future (teleporting, cloning, etc). I am curious as to if the ideas we talk about in class will relate to my interpretation of science fiction.
ReplyDeleteMy definition is closer to Mr Sturgeon's definition, and I like his better. Sturgeon really explains sci-fi, it's humans with a problem solving it with technology ahead of their time, it's a way we vent our problems and use hypothetical inventions that would be a quick fix, when in reality they aren't, but yet we still dream of them.
ReplyDeleteRobert Heinlein's quote is the most similar to my definition of science fiction. When I think of science fiction I think of something that could happen in the future and the way that science fiction can change the way that things are being run. We try and invent things to make an easy fix to our problem but thats not always the case.
ReplyDeleteMy defintion is closer to Mr Heinleins because science fiction is mostly fiction something that cannot be done in today's time or the near future.
ReplyDeleteRobert Heinlein provided a quote that I think most aligned with my own opinion. Science Fiction is a story that stretches the imagination. It provides details that would make the fantastic world possible. Not through the means of magic, but technology. The progression of it, and how it aids Humans.
ReplyDeleteI think that Theodore Sturgeon's definition is what I think Science fiction is because there is science in it but a human needs to create the problem and most likely fix the problem.
ReplyDeleteMy definition of Science Fiction most closely resembles George Hay's. I think this because his definition is the most obscure of the rest of them. I think that science fiction cannot be as easily defined as the other authors and I feel that both of the other's definitions are both incorporated in Hay's.
ReplyDeleteI mostly agree with Theodore Sturgeons view on the subject. If a story has real people and real people problems, then it becomes much more believable. I think a believable story is completely necessary. 90% of the time, if a story is so far fetched, its not nearly as good.
ReplyDeleteI agree with George Hay and while Sturgeon makes a great point, I don't believe it always has to be from the human perspective. There are many great Science Fiction stories or films that are based purely off of an alien's viewpoint or lifestyle.
ReplyDeleteScience fiction to me is the altered reality that exists within the paradigms of good vs. evil when contemplating the significance of the American dream that is illustrated in several science fiction stories as well as within all of our lives individually making up the space time continuum
ReplyDelete