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Is science fiction dying?

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Re: Is science fiction dying?

#51

Post by stupidsignup »

Symmetry wrote: post #30
stupidsignup wrote: post #19

I am a hardcore sci-fi fan. Although I basically grew up in a library, the most fascinating part of it were the two or three racks nobody frequented than me: the racks were full of hardcore sci-fi like heinlein, asimov, pkdick, silverberg, leguin, pohl, you name them. In that sense, Sci-Fi is actually dying, because in the last 10 years, I hardly found something that even remotely compares with the great work of thes…

If you like Banks you might consider checking out the other two members of the "Scottish Clique", Ken Macleod and Charles Stross. Both write some really good stuff. Other new good hard SF writers might be Cory Doctorow, Michael Chabon, Rachel Swirsky, Sara Genge, Geoffrey Landis, Elizabeth Bear, Ted Chiang, Paolo Bacigalupi, Aliette de Bodard, Mary Robinette Kowal, Charlie Jane Anders, Felicity Shoulders, and Ian Tre…

Thanks for the list, I will check it out. I think I read something by Reynolds, but it didn't stick. Will look at it again.

Re: Is science fiction dying?

#53

Post by Udo »

iwwr wrote: post #43
Udo wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Only to SG1 fans. But it had attracted a number of new fans that didn't necessarily like SG1 (like me).

It would have been interesting if SG:U would have been more isolated from home (without the transporter stones and the Lucian Alliance story).

I agree completely, the show has some weaknesses. I didn't like the stones either, and I'm lukewarm on the Lucian alliance incursion. That said, this show has provided me with many hours of entertainment that I really enjoyed. I even liked the more "hard scifi" episodes of early season 1. Sure, the show had its share of stupidity and missed opportunities, but for me there was enough clever and stimulating content to keep me really invested.

Re: Is science fiction dying?

#54

Post by electromagnetic »

Udo wrote: post #53
iwwr wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It would have been interesting if SG:U would have been more isolated from home (without the transporter stones and the Lucian Alliance story).

I agree completely, the show has some weaknesses. I didn't like the stones either, and I'm lukewarm on the Lucian alliance incursion. That said, this show has provided me with many hours of entertainment that I really enjoyed. I even liked the more "hard scifi" episodes of early season 1. Sure, the show had its share of stupidity and missed opportunities, but for me there was enough clever and stimulating content to…

I think the missed opportunities are a halmark of TV's writing process. These guys start with a multi-season arc, then make a season arc, then make two half-season arcs, then make the individual story arcs for what needs to be accomplished in each episode to forward the half-season arc.

If you get an opportunity in season 2 ep 3 for a great new plot, you might have little to zero opportunity to take advantage of it.

Re: Is science fiction dying?

#55

Post by recoil »

Symmetry wrote: post #30
stupidsignup wrote: post #19

I am a hardcore sci-fi fan. Although I basically grew up in a library, the most fascinating part of it were the two or three racks nobody frequented than me: the racks were full of hardcore sci-fi like heinlein, asimov, pkdick, silverberg, leguin, pohl, you name them. In that sense, Sci-Fi is actually dying, because in the last 10 years, I hardly found something that even remotely compares with the great work of thes…

If you like Banks you might consider checking out the other two members of the "Scottish Clique", Ken Macleod and Charles Stross. Both write some really good stuff. Other new good hard SF writers might be Cory Doctorow, Michael Chabon, Rachel Swirsky, Sara Genge, Geoffrey Landis, Elizabeth Bear, Ted Chiang, Paolo Bacigalupi, Aliette de Bodard, Mary Robinette Kowal, Charlie Jane Anders, Felicity Shoulders, and Ian Tre…

Although he's technically Finnish, Hannu Rajaniemi might also count as being part of that "Scottish clique", I suppose, since he's based in Edinburgh. I thought his "The Quantum Thief", which came out earlier this year in the UK, was a terrific sci-fi novel, especially when you consider that it's his first. The bloke's got a PhD in string theory so one assumes he knows his stuff, too.

Re: Is science fiction dying?

#56

Post by stupidsignup »

stupidsignup wrote: post #19

I am a hardcore sci-fi fan. Although I basically grew up in a library, the most fascinating part of it were the two or three racks nobody frequented than me: the racks were full of hardcore sci-fi like heinlein, asimov, pkdick, silverberg, leguin, pohl, you name them. In that sense, Sci-Fi is actually dying, because in the last 10 years, I hardly found something that even remotely compares with the great work of thes…

Got to reply to myself here. I forgot to mention Joe Haldeman who still writes and is one of my forever SciFi heroes because of "The Forever War". And now I discovered that Ridley Scott (Bladerunner, Alien) is going to do "The Forever War" in 3D! So, yes, Sci-Fi is dying, but as long as true fans of the pure art like Ridley Scott are around, there is hope.
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