Tuesday, August 6, 2013

What Is You 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 23rd, 2013.

31 comments:

  1. I think Robert A. Heinlein's quote aligns most with my portrayal of science fiction. I believe science fiction to be a scenario, dreamt up by a writer, but has some sort of basic scientific reason involved. For instance, we know for a fact there is life on other planets besides Earth. Who's to say we won't get invaded by aliens like in War of the Worlds? Or maybe Marijuana will cause you to go mentally insane like in Reefer Madness. It seems to me that most works of science fiction is an idea that cannot be proved or disproved. The end.

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  2. In my opinion science fiction is a way to alter reality. Science Fiction wants to make you think on the possibility that it could be true while using there imagination and to exaggerate fiction.

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  3. Understanding the significance of the scientific method and it's relationship with the past and future mostly aligns with my definition, so I agree with Robert A. Heinlein. His quote portrays my thoughts of science fiction because I believe that science fiction can be changed and alternated due to the past and future. Science fiction reminds me of new technology within an old relationship. The mystery of the future but the knowledge of the past. It's based of the real world too which I also support because every thought has it's base.

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  5. I feel that Robert A. Heinlein’s definition of science fiction reflects how I feel science fiction should be defined. A major piece of all science fiction books and films have some form of extrapolation. This technique is used to produce a realistic, exciting story. I think that the best science fiction is believable. Science fiction should tell a story that uses reasonable conjectures about the future, using the science we know to exist as a base for the story.

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  6. science fiction is about imagination of crazy ideas

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  7. I believe more in Robert A. Heinlein's quote than any of the others. Science Fiction, to me, is a genre in which many people can freely express their thoughts and/or hopes for the future. Science Fiction is a genre that allows you to mess up the future as well as the past with a scientific logic behind everything. Science Fiction is a realm that allows you to explore the future.

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  8. To me, science fiction is all about using your imagination. Whenever I think about it, it reminds of how creative we can get and about all the possibilities of future inventions to come true. Putting what you know about science and mixing it all into English can turn into one interesting story or movie.

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  9. To me Science Fiction is the unnatural happening to society and the most precarious positions being found in the most common of places or vice versa. George Hay's quote goes along with my definition of science fiction in a way that says that what stays in science fiction stays in science fiction. The stories used to not be too far fetched from what may happen in the future and I believe that it stayed that way for a while but after the impossible was reached in most science fiction stories the events and people/things found within today's science fiction is impossible. Science Fiction is the place which you can pretend and it's socially acceptable.

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  10. Of the three quotes, the one written by Theodore Sturgeon applied to my definition of sci fi the most because of the realistic way he approached it. I believe that in a truly good sci fi story, the science fiction elements are less important than the characters that the story revolves around. The sci fi portions are still important of course, but its the situations that they cause which are the true driving force of the story. This is why I assume that if I were to read any of the Reade books I would not be as interested because they did not involve the people in the story nearly as much as the inventions themselves.

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  11. I would best describe science fiction as an escape from reality through our visions of time travel, technological advancements and extraterrestrial or advanced life forms. In addition science fiction can be classified as alternate reality, one similar to ours only with more advances technology or new forms of life, way of travel, environment conditions, etc. (like planet of the apes).

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  12. In my opinion science fiction is a genre in which a different or future world is presented in such a way as to be scientifically believable and plausible. It also, to me, is a world relatable enough to be understood, but foreign enough to inspire wonder and interest.

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  13. I think Mr. Heinlein summed up science fiction . all science based fantasy past or future. many science fiction novels and films come to mind. star wars, Jurassic park, twilight zone. all different times and places but all science based.

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  14. I believe that science fiction is a series of futuristic movies and stories. Science fiction is always looking into the future. Many old science fiction movies are still science fiction even 40 years later.

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  15. Science fiction to me is when writers predict the future based on what they have experienced in the past.Many writers have different interpretations of what will happen in the future but most of them have reoccurring themes or items.

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  17. Science fiction is writing(movies too) that takes place in a time or place not well known, that involves supernatural creatures or future technology. There could be robots or just advanced transportation, Frankenstein or a sea monster it is all science fiction.

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  18. I agree with Robert A. Heinlein's quote. I think science Fiction is a genre of more imaginative stories and concepts,and not very realistic. Sci-Fi makes the impossible possible and are unique from other genres.

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  19. In my opinion, science fiction is the act of taking animals, places, and things and mixing them with extreme creativity. Whether the author chooses to enlarge certain objects into killing machines, or create weapons that can diflect bullets like lightsabers, every story is created because of a certain level of creativity. One thing I love about science fiction is that very old movies and stories are still the classics of science fiction today.

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  20. Science Fiction is the sharing of common human thoughts and imagination. It is human nature to predict, analyze, and wonder about the unknown and Science Fiction specifically provides an outlet to express those thoughts.

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  21. Mr. Heinlein's definition of science fiction is the best in my opinion. Science fiction is possible events with a focus on futuristic science and events.

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  22. Science Fiction is literature or movies or something of that sorts that usually takes place in the future and usually in these stories there are futuristic inventions such as robots and space ships

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  23. Tajalik Davis
    Science Fiction
    Hour 1
    8/25/13

    Blog #1:

    The definition I agree with the most is by Robert A. Heinlein. I also believe science fiction is the foundation for new theories and inventions that will be created and used eventually. Each story has a type of machine that has the potential of becoming real within either a few years or a decade. Example: In Jurassic Park scientist cloned dinosaurs and a few years later scientists could clone sheep.

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  24. Science fiction, in my definition, is as standard as any other story, with the main characters, a plot, the problem, and the story to solve this problem. The only difference is the setting, as it can be something as far off as 1 million years in the future, or with the problem being something as insane as the universe about to explode. Science fiction is a story so far fetched that it seems impossible with todays technology or understanding of the universe.

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  25. Science fiction is the culmination of the creative genius of writers and the current knowledge of science into a story that projects what the future holds in terms of technological advances and new discoveries. This story is written in such a way that the audience could see this future happening at some distant point in time.

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  26. Science fiction is the best thing ever according to me. Science fiction is writing based in the future. Usually involving outer space beings or life in outer space. The technological advances are amazing in science fiction novels, they make you think about a future where those advances would be possible. Science fiction challenges the mind to think outside of the box.

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  27. Out of those three quotes, the one written by George Hay best describes my definition of science fiction. The line for what is science fiction and what isn't is still blurred for me. The best way for me to tell if a book is science fiction is by checking if the author classified it as science fiction.

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  28. Science Fiction is the predicting of the future through uncommon but educated thinking and guessing as to what new concepts will come. It could be a way of society or a new invention that takes the world by surprise. The style of writing gives the writer a way to be creative in predicting the future but also use a sensible imagination in doing so. Science fiction can be incredibly tough to read and understand but also at the same time incredibly fun and interesting.

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  29. After reading the above interpretations of science fiction from the various people, i have become most fond of Robert A. Heinlein's definition. His interpretation of science fiction is the most believable and logical out of the 3 provided. The reason i think Heinlein's is the most legitimate reasoning, is because science fiction often does give a glimpse into what the future could or might have in store for us. As a geek, i can say many of the things mentioned in science fiction novel's and stories often become a real invention or close to one in the future.
    -Matt Myers.

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  30. I agree with the quote that states that science fiction is, "about human beings with human problems, and a human solution. Solely based on the "Steam Man and Airships" reading, It has contributed to the idea that science fiction is often based on personal also, many stories take inspiration from real people. Even though there ideas and theories may be dramatized, it still has human conflicts and emotions.

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  31. Science fiction is a piece of work that is set in a place or time when major technological, or social change that affects the way that affects the actions of the characters in the story.

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