FEATURE: Alternate Reality vs. Alternate Universe

[traycer_]

What is the Difference Between Alternate Reality and Alternate Universe?

With examples from Stargate SG-1 and Back to the Future

Comments

[dark_weezing]

I've often wondered what the difference was. Thanks.

[traycer_]

You're welcome! This is a difficult topic, as I found out the hard way. I'm glad it helps.

[dark_weezing]

My curiosity got to me -- how did you find out the hard way? Heh.

[campylobacter]

THIS. IS. PERFECT.

Thank you SO much for clarifying the sci-fi subgenres.

[traycer_]

You're welcome and thank you for the awesome picspam!! It's perfect addition for this feature!! :D

Also, I thought I would mention that green_grrl was a tremendous help on this feature. I originally had everything backward!

[campylobacter]

These AU/AR/AT definitions would also be helpful for fanfic archivists. I confess to having been confused by all 3, so making the picspam helped me keep them straight in my own head!

I'm not sure if there's a brave soul out there willing to tackle the difference between "virtual reality" and "virtual environment" as they apply to the scifi subgenre of cyberspace (The Matrix, Neuromancer, Tron, Inception, etc.), "holodeck" episodes on Star Trek, and video gaming.

w00t green_grrl!

[traycer_]

I still think your picspam is an awesome addition to this article, because it helped me clinch it into place. :)

As for "virtual reality" and "virtual environment"... I know I won't touch that topic! Hee! This one was hard enough. :D But you could always suggest it in the "Submit a Question" entry to see if anyone wants to take it on. We have a lot of excellent minds here, and I'm sure someone knows what all that means.

Thanks again!

[thothmes]

Well stated.

Still, I find it all boils down to one basic and constant fact-

Time travel makes my brain hurt!

[traycer_]

LOL Me too!! :) Yet that topic is my all-time favorite. Time travel movies, books, TV shows, whatever... I love it! :)