Thursday, August 14, 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 Friday, August 22nd, 2014.

26 comments:

  1. To me science fiction is something much greater then what we as humans deem it, it's a whole new world beyond that. An entire genre that creates a universe in our minds and hearts. When someone says sci fi to me, I think things like Star Wars or Halo. I think of movies like war of the worlds. Science fiction is what we as humans deem not impossible but not plausible. Its all the cool things like flying cars or materialized food. The ideas children have only made real in a different universe. There is another side of science fiction; while there is utopia, there is dystopia. A future set to me a world of death and devastation. Post apocalyptic world. A world filled with chaos and crime. Take for instance, a well known franchise as Resident Evil. Future science going to far and creating life after death. To me science fiction will always be a world of wonder and surprise. Robert A Heinlein's definition of science fiction fits with mine to a degree. A world set in the future with real choices and real consequences. A world with human error.

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  2. Robert A. Heilen's quote aligns with my definition of science fiction because I know alot of movies and video games that have characters with scientific knowlegde, such as the Fallout video game series and the movie Avatar. Many science fiction stories have the scientific method in them, but most people don't noticed them because they are entertained. From what I learned in class, science fiction talks about events that could possibly happen and the genre had predicted some events that had happened in human history. Also the stories in science fiction are sometimes based on true events.

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  3. Robert A. Heilen's quote stood out to me as more of my definition of Science Fiction. As we talked about in class, Many of the "What Ifs" became maybes. Which is really starting to become true as technology is advancing more and more, and we are making those things happen that many people thought about in the 18th and 19th century. I have seen many movies and games based on the future, and usually it is how we tend to think of it to be. Eventually I think Science Fiction will start becoming more and more real as we progress through the years and as more and more centuries pass.

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  4. I really like Heinlein's definition is an all encompassing definition of Science Fiction. Many of the "sci-fi" books I have read are things that could happen in real life if the situation/technology was right. Science is unpredictable and therefore it is entertaining to read about especially if it is paired with the concept of human error/behavior, which I think all science fiction books accomplish. During the video in class, Robert Sterling told us that science fiction helps to criticize and/or shape society. Therefore, another reason, the scientific method is paired with human experience. Science fiction isn't just about the future, it's based on knowledge of the past and present like Heinlein said in order to mold or critique that possible future.

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  5. I think Robert A. Heinlein's quote is very close to my definition because it is what science fiction is about in my eyes. It is stories or books that are very futuristic but realistic at the same time. This makes stories very interesting because it gives you an idea of what other people think the future is going to be like.

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  6. I believe that Robert A. Heinlein's quote fits my view of science fiction the best because it accurately describes the vast majority of sci-fi books I've read. In most science fiction books, the scientific method is relevant to the story, and so is knowledge of real-world science. Along with real-world science, science fiction introduces readers to incredible, fictional inventions that exist solely in the world of the story. That is my definition of science fiction, and Robert A. Heinlein's quote best describes my definition.

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  7. Reading through all of the quotes, there isn't really one that relates closely enough to my definition of science fiction. I believe that science fiction is the manifestation of the mind, imagination put into words. If I had to pick one quote though, it'd probably have to be Hay's because his quote is saying that science fiction is in a book on a shelf. At first, I thought that his quote sounded the dumbest but as I looked at it for a deeper meaning, I finally understood it. He is saying that imagination should remain in books, otherwise if you can "prove" the theory of science fiction, it becomes science fact. Aliens for example, at first it was just a thought but as we slowly become more advanced with technology, we may prove that aliens exist. Soon, imagination that was once science fiction turns into science fact. The very first quote was saying that science fiction should be explored and it's something that we as humans can find or build. I believe that this quote is the exact opposite of science fiction. Science fiction shouldn't be contained like this, and like I said, if it's found out, it's no longer science fiction. The second quote was just silly. Science fiction isn't just about the future, it also contains the past. There is not holding down science fiction and it's manifestation.

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  8. Science fiction is a genre of fiction in which the stories often tell about science and technology of the future. I guess that's the short way of defining it, there are many different ways to look at it as well.
    If you think about it, we have all probably read books that we don't even think are science fiction, such as Divergent, The Maze Runner. Also, Superheros are science fiction, and we all probably didn't even know it!
    But going to the quotes on the blog, I do agree with George Hay's definition, because it's true. I also like it because we never really even thought that much about science fiction, we just saw it on a bookshelf in the library.

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  9. Science Fiction is a genre that is typically classified as a futuristic story that is shaped around new technology and science. Most games, books, movies, etc that are science fiction take place in that type of scenario. For example, many movies and TV shows lately have been put slightly into the future and have people in an apocalyptic world, that has been infested with zombies. Although it isn't the best example it can be science fiction because the dead can not come back alive so something happened with a science test gone wrong in most cases. And even in the 1990's the Jetsons was a popular show that was set in the future with your typical setting of being in space with flying cars and much more. But in the long run there can be science fiction in a lot of things, as long a you look for the evidence.

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  10. Science Fiction is a genre that is described as anything that doesn't exist, a plot or story line that wouldn't be possible in today's world. Not yet at least, its kind of like predicting the future. So with that being said I agree with Robert A Heinlein's quote. Being that Science Fiction can usually be past, present, or future with non existent technology or monsters such as aliens. Which all of those involve the scientific method. So I agree with his quote the best

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  11. Personally science fiction is a literary genre that uses scientific theories and facts to create an impractical or 'impossible world'. All three quotes describe science fiction's intentions and purpose. Authors induct observations, theories and facts to predict a future event or future society. So far, science fiction authors have not been far off in their predictions of dystopias. We have already experienced some of the cons to a technologic society.

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  12. To the best of my knowledge and understanding of science fiction (Which is limited to say the least) I think that the quote from Robert A. Heinlein most closely aligns with my understanding of the definition. I think this because of the description Mr. Trotter explained and the Steam Man article.

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  13. To me science fiction is an escape from the real world and a place where you can be free and explore thoughts and ideas that are considered unorthodox and impractical

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  14. I think My definition or understanding of science fiction best corresponds to Robert A. Heinlein's quote because of the science fiction videos that we watch in Mr. Trotters class and whenever I think of the word science fiction I think of future Ideas based on what we have today.

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  15. My definition would line up closely with Robert A. Heinlein's definition, with the main point being that science fiction is a story that predicts future events, using past events and rate of technological advancement as baselines.

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  16. My definition of science fiction works best with Robert A. Heinlein's definition because with using what happened in the past science fiction can weirdly predict the future.

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  17. ​ the definition of science fiction that I really enjoy is Robert Heinlein. He explains that science fiction is about circumstances that may happen in the future with the technology that we have. Most science fiction books that I have read have been about the future and some technology that soon after the book became reality. For example, in class the presentation was talking about ships going into space and seeing the planets outside of Earth and that all soon became reality with spaceships traveling out into space and discovering all kinds of new planets or stars.

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  18. Heinlein's explanation of science fiction best describes my definition. Science fiction is genre of film and literature that is about futuristic and present technology used in different ways. Science fiction is not only about technology, but also about futuristic events and society such as in the The Hunger Games series. An example of present day science fiction is Jurassic Park because scientists extracted the DNA from prehistoric mosquitoes to create dinosaurs.

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  19. My definition of science fiction is a fictional story that portrays imagined future social, technological and scientific changes. My definition best aligns with Robert A. Heinlein's definition of science fiction because, He quotes that science fiction is a "realistic speculation about possible future events, based solidly on adequate knowledge of the real world." T.V. shows like Star Trek show how sci-fi can consider the possibly of exploring space and going boldly were no man has gone before. Another rising science fiction spinoff that has become popular over the years is post-apocalipic worlds. This genre explores life after mankind has survived a terrible war or invasion. Books like the Farenheight 451 and the Hunger Games are great examples of this side genre.

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  20. I have to side with both definitions. Science fiction is located in the science fiction section at the library. But science fiction is also about what humans would do when placed in a scientific and fictional setting. A great example of this would be Star Trek. They go around maneuvering the galaxy, but every one of their solutions to problems is very human.

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  21. Robert Heinlein’s definition of science fiction aligned with my definition. Science fiction is fantasies, thoughts, or fears about the past, present, or future. Heinlein describes that science fiction is based on understanding of nature and I think that all stories on this genre come from ideas. Science fiction is not only about technological advancements or futuristic societies, but also events and scenarios. This topic could vary from, past or present and even luxuries or tragedies. Heinlein’s definition explains that its based on nature but also seems to predict the future. By creating ideas, possibilities and opportunities present themselves for the real world outside of fictional stories.

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  22. I feel that Theodore Sturgeon's explanation of science fiction is the one I subscribe to the most. Everything we encounter now, and many problems that are encountered in books are solved using science. The best science fiction book I've ever read "Turing Evolved", was all about the creation of a machine that had a soul, something that humans are questioning very frequently. The story embodies everything that humans can aspire to be. That is what i believe science fiction is all about.

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  23. The Robert Heinlien's defintion is the one I liked the most.
    It says that science fiction is realistic events based on the real world past and present with what we know about the scietific method. A great example is the "Hunger Games" it's set in the future with hovercrafts and a dome that you can control the weather in a outdoor enviorment. It shows what life's technology maybe like in a few years. That's what I believe science fiction is about.

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  24. To me science fiction is a type of literature that uses scientific data and makes what was once impossible seem possible. It can be monsters, aliens, robots, or machines that change the way society functions. It is made to through us for a loop and challenge our idea of how the universe works.

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  25. To me, the Robert Heinliens definition is the one I think explains what science fiction actually is because it talks about the past and present and how it talks about the understanding about everything and its nature.

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  26. I liked Theodore Surgeon's definition of science fiction the best because it relates closely to my own definition. No matter how far fetched any scifi idea may seem, they are always relatable to problems we experience today.

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