Science Fiction: Literature of the Powerful (Boffins?)
Science & Spirit has an interview with S-F author Gregory Benford.
"Science fiction is the cultural expression of an entire powerful class of people, and readers’ reactions to that group. Science fiction arose as a genre in the early twentieth century because it had been sidelined from mainstream literature. It was popular because it was written by scientists and engineers who didn’t necessarily have writing degrees, but [readers] were fascinated with that culture. ..."
"... Our time is a lot more pessimistic regarding the future than it was 100 years ago, for deep reasons. Science has gotten far worse press in today’s literature. Michael Crichton has used science in his books to put forth messages about hubris, and has created what I call a 'paranoid plot structure.' But while true science fiction works envision a changed world, Crichton always returns to the ordinary world—and does not ask people to make changes in their world. That’s why Crichton is popular: People enjoy being scared for a while, but want to come back to what they know. Change scares them."
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science fiction, scifi, sci-fi, literature, interviews, science, boffins, scientists, authors, writers, books, novels, genres, fiction, spirit, fantasy, future, pessimism
"Science fiction is the cultural expression of an entire powerful class of people, and readers’ reactions to that group. Science fiction arose as a genre in the early twentieth century because it had been sidelined from mainstream literature. It was popular because it was written by scientists and engineers who didn’t necessarily have writing degrees, but [readers] were fascinated with that culture. ..."
"... Our time is a lot more pessimistic regarding the future than it was 100 years ago, for deep reasons. Science has gotten far worse press in today’s literature. Michael Crichton has used science in his books to put forth messages about hubris, and has created what I call a 'paranoid plot structure.' But while true science fiction works envision a changed world, Crichton always returns to the ordinary world—and does not ask people to make changes in their world. That’s why Crichton is popular: People enjoy being scared for a while, but want to come back to what they know. Change scares them."
Technorati Tags:
science fiction, scifi, sci-fi, literature, interviews, science, boffins, scientists, authors, writers, books, novels, genres, fiction, spirit, fantasy, future, pessimism
1 Comments:
Here's another recent link about SF that you might find interesting; it's Margaret Atwood on why we need science fiction:
"More than one commentator has mentioned that science fiction as a form is where theological narrative went after Paradise Lost, and this is undoubtedly true. Supernatural creatures with wings, and burning bushes that speak, are unlikely to be encountered in a novel about stockbrokers, unless the stockbrokers have been taking a few mind-altering substances, but they are not out of place on Planet X. The form is often used as a way of acting out the consequences of a theological doctrine. The theological resonances in films such as Star Wars are more than obvious. Extraterrestrials have taken the place of angels, demons, fairies and saints, though it must be said that this last group is now making a comeback."
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