Thursday, January 9, 2014

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 Monday, January 13th, 2014.

28 comments:

  1. The first quotation most accurately aligns with my definition of what science fiction is. It states that the genre should suggest events that are very possible even if they might not be probable. "The Hunger Games" by Susan Collins is a very good example of this. In the first book of the series, Primrose Everdeen, a gentle and loving 12 year-old girl, is chosen to be a tribute in the nation wide Hunger Games where 24 children have to fight to the death in return for glory and fortune. Katniss, the responsible and strong-willed older sister, volunteers in her sister's place as a tribute. She is sent off to an arena where she must use the tools that she is supplied to fight and survive.
    Many people would interpret this book as a warning to society about what could happen if the government gained too much power and/or lost democracy. This applies directly with the quote when it says that "science fiction is the 'realistic speculation about possible future events...'". In the case of the Hunger Games, Susan Collins speculates about what life would be like in the United States under the circumstances that the government overthrew democracy and districts tried to revolt against it. According to Susan Collins, districts that revolt are annihilated just like the 13 district was.
    There are many other science fiction books and films that support this viewpoint. Some of these include "Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury, "Uglies" by Scott Westerfeld, and even the "Star Trek" television series. As shown by these examples, the science fiction genre focuses on possible events and bases upon prior knowledge.

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  2. The quote from Theodore Sturgeon best aligns with my definition of Science Fiction because it is a story about human beings encountering something that's "out of this world" or something totally unbelievable. It could most likely happen when there's a problem with something that has to have a solution to it.
    In the book "Misfit" it's about this teenage girl who lost her mother when she was very young and barely knows anything about her. On her 18th birthday her father gives her this necklace that was her mothers. Soon enough demons start coming after her and she encounters this guardian that helps her bring out her powers that she didn't know she had. One minute she's at school just like a regular teenager and the next she's talking to the elements of the earth, and using them to fight against demons that killed her mother.
    This book is just one example about how Science Fiction involves human beings, human problems, and human solutions which could not have happened without its science content.

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  3. The quote I agree with is the one by Robert A Heinlien his opinion on the subject was very intersting. When I was asked my definition of science fiction I really couldn't put my thoughts into words and he did a good job of doing that. When Robert says "science fiction is a realistic speculation of future events" I really agreed with that and I thought the way he put that into words was impressive. That quote best described my opinion of science fiction and the way he spoke was the best of all the quotes.

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  4. The quote that best fits with my definition of science fiction is the first quote, because science fiction is about what could happen in the future. Not only does science fiction pertain to humans, but other living organisms as well. Science fiction is also about great journeys, discoveries, and problems overcome . Overall science fiction is the unknown but possible, anything that could happen that we don't even think about or the things that no one thought possible.
    I, Robot is a great example of a science fiction book/movie, it is a story in which humans create robots to assist them with everyday living. These robots are owned by pretty much every human in the world, and each robot is installed with laws for the safety of humans. Eventually the main computer that these robots are linked to twists one of the laws and tries to protect humanity by taking away free will. If not for the destruction of the computer system named V.I.K.I by the brave detective Spooner the world would have been greatly changed. I, Robot is just one of many futuristic science fiction stories that focuses on knowledge of humans leading to possible events.

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  5. My definition of Science Fiction is most closely related to the quote by Theodore Sturgeon, “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.” The genre of science fiction is usually centered around the technology present, but the entire plot is based on a relatively normal problem that can be found in the society the book was written in. Without the advanced technology present, the entire Star Trek franchise would be impossible to write. While there is often a speculation about the future, as stated in the quote by Robert A. Heinlein, it is not always realistic, as seen in the outrageous capabilities of many of Frank Reade’s inventions. This genre takes the problems or beliefs of the current society, and adds a scientific element that transforms the novel or film into a thrilling experience.

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  6. The second quote is the definition I agree with most when it comes to science fiction. I agree with it because it talks about how technological advancements cause a problem and the story is about how humans try to fix it. When I think of my favorite science fiction, it is always the human aspect of the film not the cool technology that makes the story entertaining.

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  7. I believe that the definition of Science fiction is reality in unreality. Think about it science fiction is based off of certain things that may not seem real or likely but there is some evidence that they are. A robot is based off of the technology that we have today but in the future when it is much more advanced. Aliens are based off of the fact that there is a possibility that another planet such as our own could house a living organism. Monsters are based on mutations of genetics of appearance, sound, and so much more.

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  8. I chose the first quotation because it was the only definetion of science fiction the corolated with my defeinition of science fiction. The third quotation was in someways correct but was describing locarion you could find science fiction in not the genre itself.
    and the second quotation has literally nothing to do with science fiction.

    - Alex Schmizzzz

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  10. The definition of science fiction may be different, science fiction is fiction based on imagined future scientific or technological advances and major social or environmental changes, frequently portraying space or time travel and life on other planets. This definition is very and exact and helps us with understanding science fiction.

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  11. Theodore Sturgeon's definition of science fiction is the closest definition to mine. I believe science fiction is something that involves humans and a main problem, and the problem doesn't have to be realistic. But the basis of the story has to be somewhat realistic, not completely made up with no guidelines.

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  13. I find that the first quote relates best with my idea of science fiction because it talks about possible future events happening due to our relations with science. For example the movie “I Robot” starring Will Smith appears to be a great example of science fiction because of how the world is moving in electronics and in technology. The idea is that soon we will have robots that can and will do everything for us. And just as the main character there will be people that are fearful and untrusting of the idea of technology having such influence and control in our lives. This also shows our idea of xenophobia; the fear of the strange or unknown.
    Ben H 2014

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  14. Science fiction, in my definition, is the stuff of fantasy that is so close. We can almost touch it, but we're not quite there yet. Inspiration is all around, it just takes the right eyes to see it and the right mind to challenge and create it.

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  15. Science Fiction is more than the vague definition given by George Hay, but rather a window of opportunity that reveals insight on humanity. Similar to the definition given my Sturgeon, science fiction has the potential to make our imaginative ideas a reality. Just think of all the technological advancements society has accomplished in the past 100 years that appeared impossible at that moment. Before science fiction received its name, people were still dreaming of a fictitious reality. It is human nature to want to create and progress, regardless of how intangible something may sound at the moment. This touched upon in the quote by Robert A. Heinlein. Science Fiction should open our eyes to possibility and give us a chance to dream of a world even more advance than the one we already live in.

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  16. Science Fiction is fiction with a scientific based back ground. It has scientific laws and ideas at the core of it. For example, robots are humans need and want to create life and the robots have science to create them.

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  17. The first quote by Robert A. Heinlein aligns with my definition of science fiction. I don't believe that every science fiction novel is defined by its scientific content - that is to say I don't agree with the quote by Theodore Sturgeon, who insists that what makes a good science fiction story is having human beings with a human problem and a human solution only achieved by its scientific content. In some cases, I think human solutions can be achieved by going back to human roots; a human solution can be achieved without scientific content. In Ray Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451", Montag finds his resolution by abandoning the technology he's been around his entire life - the wasps and shells and talking walls, and he seeks solace and escape in the books he's never been allowed to touch or read.

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  18. The quote appropriately describes a very good definition of what Science fiction is. My personal definition is closely related to that shown in the quote above. Science is the study of the future putting tests and the imaginations of people to effect. Fiction, in the literature world just means imaginary or such... Not all science fiction can be imaginary... When science fiction became the big boom that it had became in the older days, many authors depicted what the future would look like with the different technology that we would have and all. They're weren't that far off. Robots, and flying ships and electrical car, in this future, we have all that, but in a different way. The quote above strongly shows what Science fiction is.

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  19. The quote by Theodore Sturgeon is the best fit for my definition of science fiction. It’s showing that at the core, science fiction is about human lives, even when they’re living through extraordinary experiences. Science fiction is always coming from some interaction with humans, a human invention, a alien with hatred for humans, time travel used by humans, and so on. Doctor Who is a good example of the human relations in science fiction, because even while he, the Doctor, is not human, he chooses to make friends that are humans, and he and his human companion, always travel on adventures together. Even at the Doctor’s core, he shares so many qualities with the human race, so that the entire story really is a struggle with human problems. Science fiction is really one of the genres most focused on humanity.

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  20. Robert A. Heinlein's definition is closest to mine. People have to gain ideas from their surroundings to create creative ideas that would "enhance" daily life. Science fiction takes ideas and difficulties and makes everything easier. Science fiction is not a denial or ignorance towards possibilities. It is an art form to be touched and experienced, like the thoughts that can be expressed. Fictional ideas in these stories relate only to the reality that the objects don't exist in the authors daily life. Defying science is not the point to these stories.

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  21. The quote that i relate to the most would be the quote from Robert A. Heinlein because he goes in depth on what it is. He talks about what science fiction is and how science fiction is just the creativity of the future and what could happen. I believe that science fiction can be whatever you want, it just has to be imagination and to predict what will happen in the future.

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  22. The first quote by Knight in Bishop accurately portrays the definition of science fiction.
    Authors who write science fiction use the knowledge we have now to predict into the distant or close future. One idea this quote hits on perfectly is that all science fiction stories are simply speculations. All articles of science fiction are nothing more than far-fetched or realistic predictions based off of ideas from the present day. Whether it is plausible or eccentric all depends on the author
    Some science fiction may also be warnings from the author. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury is based off of the fears of Bradbury. He saw the direction that the world was going and it terrified him. Some may argue that he had a right to fear although others may believe it was unreasonable. That is why science fiction is nothing but a speculation, an opinion, an idea. It all depends on what the author believes and how the they see the world.

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  23. The quote that is most like the one by Robert A. Heinlein because, out of all the science fiction articles I have read and watched at the movies and on tv have had his definition of science fiction in them.Like the movie Star Wars Robert A. Heinlein describes a world created in the future with all different kinds of creatures and technology far beyond our reach of technology. Which I believe is the definition science fiction in my words.

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  24. My definition of science fiction is most closely related to the quote by Robert A. Heinlein, who said science fiction is a “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". I believe most of science fiction is focused on extrapolation because based on the past we can predict what might happen in the future. Exploring the consequences of scientific innovations is one purpose of science fiction, making it a “literature of ideas”. Science fiction has been used by authors as a device to discuss philosophical ideas such as identity, desire, morality, and social structure. This quotation explores the main ideas of science fiction in a condensed way.

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  25. My definition of Science-Fiction is most like George Hay’s when he says "Science fiction is what you find on the shelves in the library marked science fiction." As general and as odd as this might seem, I agree with this due to the fact that science fiction is such a large category that there shouldn’t be any more of a general definition. there are countless examples of science fiction, each different from the last. Maybe “Star Wars,” and “Star Trek,” show some similarities, they are still different. Not to mention something like “Fahrenheit 451,” a story about books being banned. “Hitchhikers Guide to the Galexy,” another science fiction story, still different from another. The list goes on and on, but even though some share idea, some 100% original, they all have one thing in common. They are all found in the same place at the library, one giant section that allows for any reader to find a book to their liking. This is why I agree most with George Hay and his definition of science fiction.

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  26. For me the definition of science fiction is like the one by Robert A. Heinlein because everything science fiction has his definition in it. It also talks a lot and goes into depth about how the future might look because we really don't know what's going to happen and if we don't know what's going to happen than how can we honestly predict the future

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  27. Science fiction is fiction based is=n the future backed up by some true facts

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  28. Science fiction is a compilation of weird paradoxes, people, and ideas. Science fiction is time traveling into the past and into the future. It is incorporated with current knowledge but fictionized with ideas that make the story interesting to read, and causes us to question or extrapolate what might happen next in the story, or next in real life.

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