Science Fiction Today and Tomorrow edited by Reginald Bretnor.Harper and Row. 1974.
In one of the included pieces written by Bretnor, he identifies a problem that the definition of science fiction has been confused by many. He states that the tendency of people is to "derationalize the field and give it a non-scientific orientation." He goes on to give his definition of science fiction. "Science fiction: fiction based on rational speculation regarding the human experience of science and its resultant technologies." I agree that the genre has been given a non-scientific field. Really, science fiction is based on real science and not made up stuff. If something is just made up entirely then it is fantasy. Science fiction deals with technology and reason.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
Independent Reading Journal 11-17-08
Science Fiction Today and Tomorrow edited by Reginald Bretnor. Harper and Row. 1974.'
In 1972 a book entitled The Limits to Growth was published. This book is a study conducted by MIT students on the future of our society (the society of the early 70s). I, like Bretnor find this idea to be interesting. According to their research with the help of computer models and statistics, the study concludes that a catastrophic disaster awaits humankind within a century. So 34 years later we have less than 70 years to go. This conclusion was based on a population increase which goes virtually unchecked as well as natural resource consumption and pollution. Some saw this book as a "mathematically accurate forecast of doom," while others brushed it aside as meaningless. I, like Bretnor, remain skeptical of the accuracy of computer models in the early 70s when trying to compute the end of the world as we know it. What Bretnor uses this example to do is to distinguish science from science fiction. Over the years the line has blurred, but Bretnor redraws the line. He says that science fiction writers do not predict the future the way these MIT students did. Science fiction writers show many possible futures. Science fiction creates the future from imagination. Not from statistics and computer models.
In 1972 a book entitled The Limits to Growth was published. This book is a study conducted by MIT students on the future of our society (the society of the early 70s). I, like Bretnor find this idea to be interesting. According to their research with the help of computer models and statistics, the study concludes that a catastrophic disaster awaits humankind within a century. So 34 years later we have less than 70 years to go. This conclusion was based on a population increase which goes virtually unchecked as well as natural resource consumption and pollution. Some saw this book as a "mathematically accurate forecast of doom," while others brushed it aside as meaningless. I, like Bretnor, remain skeptical of the accuracy of computer models in the early 70s when trying to compute the end of the world as we know it. What Bretnor uses this example to do is to distinguish science from science fiction. Over the years the line has blurred, but Bretnor redraws the line. He says that science fiction writers do not predict the future the way these MIT students did. Science fiction writers show many possible futures. Science fiction creates the future from imagination. Not from statistics and computer models.
Independent Reading Journal 11-17-08
Science Fiction Today and Tomorrow edited by Reginald Bretnor. 1974.
In 1953, Bretnor edited his first symposium on science Fiction. It was called Modern Science Fiction, Its Meaning and Its Future. In the time from that book to 1974, science fiction proved to be enduring. The genre gained acceptance and importance.This symposium reflects on the science fiction of that day as well as taking an insightful look into the science fiction of the future. Now, 34 years later, I am interested in seeing what he has to say about the future of science fiction, because that future is now.
In 1953, Bretnor edited his first symposium on science Fiction. It was called Modern Science Fiction, Its Meaning and Its Future. In the time from that book to 1974, science fiction proved to be enduring. The genre gained acceptance and importance.This symposium reflects on the science fiction of that day as well as taking an insightful look into the science fiction of the future. Now, 34 years later, I am interested in seeing what he has to say about the future of science fiction, because that future is now.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Independent Reading Jounral 11-6-08
The Chrysanthemum and the Bat by Robert Whiting. 1977. Avon Books.
Chapter 8 is entitled "Big Fish, Little Pond." This chapter examines the presence and impact of American player sin the Japanese league. For some Americans, once their career in the Majors is over, they head to Japan to play. This includes both players and coaches. For example, Braves great Warren Spahn left America and went on to become the pitching coach for the Hiroshima Carps. American players tended to dominate in Japan. The chapter begins with "The burly, hirsute American spits contemptuously into the dirt and steps into the batter's box. He towers over the frail youth on the mound..." The Japanese admire the Americans for their size and impressive strength. American players dwarf the Japanese, and there's definitely a size advantage when it comes to pitching and hitting. The Japanese teams often sought out American expertise in coaching and specialty roles on the team. After all, baseball is America's pastime.
Chapter 8 is entitled "Big Fish, Little Pond." This chapter examines the presence and impact of American player sin the Japanese league. For some Americans, once their career in the Majors is over, they head to Japan to play. This includes both players and coaches. For example, Braves great Warren Spahn left America and went on to become the pitching coach for the Hiroshima Carps. American players tended to dominate in Japan. The chapter begins with "The burly, hirsute American spits contemptuously into the dirt and steps into the batter's box. He towers over the frail youth on the mound..." The Japanese admire the Americans for their size and impressive strength. American players dwarf the Japanese, and there's definitely a size advantage when it comes to pitching and hitting. The Japanese teams often sought out American expertise in coaching and specialty roles on the team. After all, baseball is America's pastime.
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