Rant
So, on Amazon I was reading a forum and found this post:
I totally agree. with you and Cemal. Why is science fiction grouped with fantasy? There are a few fine fantasy works, if that's what you want, but I want to read thoughtful extrapolations of science and engineering ideas into the future. (That's what I try to write, too.)
I suppose it's a consequence of the fading of science and technology from the school curricula--the audience for real science fiction is orders of magnitude smaller than the audience for effortless magic. I wonder how many science fiction readers play the lottery, versus those whose career plans involve some hard work and study. Not many, I suspect, compared with those who revel in other fantasies.
Gerald M. Weinberg
Don't. Make. Assumptions. Ever. GR. Okay, I admit that a lot of fantasy isn't that great, but to clump the whole genre together is just annoying and close minded. And only the bad fantasy has 'effortless magic' and that's why it's the bad stuff. But what really bugs me Mr. Gerald? "I wonder how many science fiction readers play the lottery, versus those whose career plans involve some hard work and study. Not many, I suspect, compared with those who revel in other fantasies."
... GR. Hardly true. Don't make assumptions about books, and especially don't do it about people based solely on what they read. Just... gr. Anyway, it's your own opinion, but that doesn't mean people just get to make statements like that. Really bugs me. Maybe tonight is just a night of bugging.
And ack, here's a mini rant two:
Well, I like all types of fantasy and scifi as long as it's well written and engaging. The whole point of fantasy and scifi to me is pure escapism and entertainmant. I have enough real life 24/7 I don't want it in my entertainment, movies or books.
I like impossible feats and bigger than life heroes and wild magic. My fave characters are antiheroes, like Riddick in Pitch Black. But I love David Eddings' Belgariad series too.
I don't like stories that end badly. I see enough bad crapola every day in the news and in day to day living. I want something that makes me feel good, like the little guy can win even against the biggest odds, the cruddy boss gets his come uppance and the good guy gets the girl. Robin Hood and Zorro strike again:)
It shouldn't just be escapism! It should matter and be important and show you something so you can think and then apply it to the real world! And yeah, okay, sometimes escapism is wonderful, but it shouldn't be the bulk of reading/ watching other wise it's an entertaining waste of time.
Plus, I don't know, sad endings make just such a huger impact on you. Like the Harry Potter books. I would have been okay with him living if all his generation didn't get such a tidy little ending. They all lived- the ones who died that I can think of where all the older generation. Plus, he died. Then he came back. That was just didn't work for me. It was like she backed out of killing him at the last second because she didn't want to. Instead it was a generic ending like so many other things. The endings that stick with you for a long time aren't the happy fluffy endings. They're the tear jerking heart wrenching ones. But somehow, I always feel good after reading those. Much for content than closing a book with the sap ending of the year.
Anyway, no disrespect to the people who wrote these, I just really, really disagree with you. Or feel differently. Anyway, I think I need more sleep.
I totally agree. with you and Cemal. Why is science fiction grouped with fantasy? There are a few fine fantasy works, if that's what you want, but I want to read thoughtful extrapolations of science and engineering ideas into the future. (That's what I try to write, too.)
I suppose it's a consequence of the fading of science and technology from the school curricula--the audience for real science fiction is orders of magnitude smaller than the audience for effortless magic. I wonder how many science fiction readers play the lottery, versus those whose career plans involve some hard work and study. Not many, I suspect, compared with those who revel in other fantasies.
Gerald M. Weinberg
Don't. Make. Assumptions. Ever. GR. Okay, I admit that a lot of fantasy isn't that great, but to clump the whole genre together is just annoying and close minded. And only the bad fantasy has 'effortless magic' and that's why it's the bad stuff. But what really bugs me Mr. Gerald? "I wonder how many science fiction readers play the lottery, versus those whose career plans involve some hard work and study. Not many, I suspect, compared with those who revel in other fantasies."
... GR. Hardly true. Don't make assumptions about books, and especially don't do it about people based solely on what they read. Just... gr. Anyway, it's your own opinion, but that doesn't mean people just get to make statements like that. Really bugs me. Maybe tonight is just a night of bugging.
And ack, here's a mini rant two:
Well, I like all types of fantasy and scifi as long as it's well written and engaging. The whole point of fantasy and scifi to me is pure escapism and entertainmant. I have enough real life 24/7 I don't want it in my entertainment, movies or books.
I like impossible feats and bigger than life heroes and wild magic. My fave characters are antiheroes, like Riddick in Pitch Black. But I love David Eddings' Belgariad series too.
I don't like stories that end badly. I see enough bad crapola every day in the news and in day to day living. I want something that makes me feel good, like the little guy can win even against the biggest odds, the cruddy boss gets his come uppance and the good guy gets the girl. Robin Hood and Zorro strike again:)
It shouldn't just be escapism! It should matter and be important and show you something so you can think and then apply it to the real world! And yeah, okay, sometimes escapism is wonderful, but it shouldn't be the bulk of reading/ watching other wise it's an entertaining waste of time.
Plus, I don't know, sad endings make just such a huger impact on you. Like the Harry Potter books. I would have been okay with him living if all his generation didn't get such a tidy little ending. They all lived- the ones who died that I can think of where all the older generation. Plus, he died. Then he came back. That was just didn't work for me. It was like she backed out of killing him at the last second because she didn't want to. Instead it was a generic ending like so many other things. The endings that stick with you for a long time aren't the happy fluffy endings. They're the tear jerking heart wrenching ones. But somehow, I always feel good after reading those. Much for content than closing a book with the sap ending of the year.
Anyway, no disrespect to the people who wrote these, I just really, really disagree with you. Or feel differently. Anyway, I think I need more sleep.