In defence of science fictiontliJanuary 14 2008, 22:05:02 UTC
From a comment left by MDG: All sci-fi dialogue comes across as overblown and cringey. I disagree. I disagree so much with that statement. Science fiction, by virtue of its very name, is removed from the world we know, can inhabit a whole new universe in some cases, and the very best of the genre manages to do this while also proffering strong parallels and insights into our world. Arguably this can’t not be done at all - we must have something to relate to within the science fiction medium, otherwise it becomes irrelevant. While I admit that yes, there is sci-fi that is dated and cringe-inducing (see Star Trek: The Original Series and the earliest episodes of The Next Generation), there are also products of the genre that are nothing short of mind-blowing
( ... )
Re: In defence of science fictiont_eylaJanuary 14 2008, 22:34:00 UTC
This is where the science fiction aspect stops. But why does it have to stop?
Hee. I think this is why I don't like BSG. I don't argue with anything you said above, except with the statement about it being the most intelligent of its genre around. Because, quite honestly, I don't consider BSG a real science fiction show. Sure, it has a science fiction setting, and science fiction characters, and science fiction bad guys. But what does the show do with these things? It cannibalizes them to turn itself into a show with the classic sort of meaning while mostly discarding what science fiction is all about (I say mostly, because I know there are science fictional aspects in there, which are, however, mostly left-overs from the old show
( ... )
Re: In defence of science fictiontliJanuary 14 2008, 22:46:30 UTC
But why does it have to stop?That's not quite what I meant. And while I try to think of what I meant ;)... yeah, what I was trying to say is that that is where the traditional definition of science fiction, so to speak, stops. It's not to say BSG's any better than any other science fiction show out there; it was to some extent created to reflect modern society, which limits its scope somewhat. And yes, it is pessimistic and dark, which also goes back to its nature as a mirror of sorts
( ... )
Re: In defence of science fictiont_eylaJanuary 14 2008, 22:54:41 UTC
That's exactly what I meant. BSG is trying to be a mirror, while science fiction is trying to be a telescope.
But, yeah. As I said. Not saying it's a bad show. It's surely interesting, for people who like that sort of thing. Just not the science fiction show I'd pick if someone asked me to tell them a good sci-fi show.
And TOS is awesome. From the bouncing cardboard rocks to the tunnels made out of tin foil. Bubblewrap aliens ftw! xD
I disagree. I disagree so much with that statement. Science fiction, by virtue of its very name, is removed from the world we know, can inhabit a whole new universe in some cases, and the very best of the genre manages to do this while also proffering strong parallels and insights into our world. Arguably this can’t not be done at all - we must have something to relate to within the science fiction medium, otherwise it becomes irrelevant. While I admit that yes, there is sci-fi that is dated and cringe-inducing (see Star Trek: The Original Series and the earliest episodes of The Next Generation), there are also products of the genre that are nothing short of mind-blowing ( ... )
Reply
But why does it have to stop?
Hee. I think this is why I don't like BSG. I don't argue with anything you said above, except with the statement about it being the most intelligent of its genre around. Because, quite honestly, I don't consider BSG a real science fiction show. Sure, it has a science fiction setting, and science fiction characters, and science fiction bad guys. But what does the show do with these things? It cannibalizes them to turn itself into a show with the classic sort of meaning while mostly discarding what science fiction is all about (I say mostly, because I know there are science fictional aspects in there, which are, however, mostly left-overs from the old show ( ... )
Reply
Reply
But, yeah. As I said. Not saying it's a bad show. It's surely interesting, for people who like that sort of thing. Just not the science fiction show I'd pick if someone asked me to tell them a good sci-fi show.
And TOS is awesome. From the bouncing cardboard rocks to the tunnels made out of tin foil. Bubblewrap aliens ftw! xD
Reply
I wouldn't either, because it is largely atypical.
And yes, TOS was lots of fun. I need to go back and find some of the eps again, methinks... I don't remember watching any of it in years!
Reply
this is a wonderful metaphor!
Reply
Reply
Leave a comment