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When it comes to sci-fi/fantasy writers, I feel their ability to envision speculative worlds heightens their ability to impartially observe their own reality.
by GavinB 17y ago
When it comes to sci-fi/fantasy writers, I feel their ability to envision speculative worlds heightens their ability to impartially observe their own reality.
This is crucial. In order to get distance from the assumptions that govern our modern lives, and why they do or don't work.
Expanding the possibility space gives you the perspective to see how you fit into the universe.
- roundsquare 17y agoWhile I agree that this is the ideal, I don't know that this is always what happens. I think its dangerous to make conclusions about sci-fi/fantasy writers based on some of the best in the genre. I'm not very widely read outside the best, but I wonder if most sci-fi/fantasy writers do use their expanded world as a way to look at ours (as opposed to just creating a "cool" world full of magic and fun technology).
- wlievens 17y agoI think I'd prefer well written fantasy/sci-fi that is not an allegory of sorts, than a story that is dead obviously a reflection on today's society. My favourite Star Trek episodes are the least moralizing ones.
- roundsquare 17y agoFair enough. What I was really trying to get across is my hesitation to take conclusions from the best/most well known series and apply them to the genre in general. But I'm curious to know which ones are your favorites. A lot of Star Trek is at least to some degree moralizing - often about accepting other cultures (although sometimes its more obvious than others).