12 réponses à ce sujet

[Kalderis]

Just a question for all and sundry really, i've got a project i'm working on and wanted to ask, what do you prioritise above all else when attracted to reading science fiction, if indeed you do. Let's say top three things.

Modifié par Kalderis, 22 novembre 2009 - 04:08 .

[Sarakinoi]

The main thing is the sens of discovery. Like new technology and such, the way it changes peoples lives.



Second thing I might call futurism... I always enjoy reading how we might live, and what we might experience centuries from now. (Not the same as technology, this is more about the social/philosophical evolution of humanity.)



Third, disconnection from reality, imagination, breaking rules. Like what would happen if we could live a thousand years? if we were no more bound by gravity? By time? etc. Basically all the possibilitie that you could never, ever experience in real life.

[LaztRezort]

Exploration of Science:  I find science interesting, so it is certainly one reason why I enjoy this genre.  I don't necessarily mean that there has to be a detailed analysis of cellular chemistry or Einsteinian physics involved -- more along the lines of exploring how certain scientific discoveries have an affect on a futuristic society.

Suspension of Disbelief:  Science fiction (as opposed to what I would call "science fantasy") has to tread a fine line here, since it is read by many science-knowledgable people (both armchair and professional).  Good SF may bend or break some laws of physics, but the consequences of these fictional elements should be be logically sound.  Even so-called "soft SF" writers are often knowledgable in a given field, or at least willing to do research.

Clever Extrapolation:  My favorite SF takes a simple "what if?" idea, and extrapolates that into interesting thought experiments.  A seemingly innocuous invention or discovery that leads to surprising outcomes for society, for example.  Isaac Asimov's short stories employed this to good effect, IMO.

I'll shamelessly add a fourth, since without it everything else falls flat:
Fiction:  Obviously, all the trappings that make good fiction -- plot, character depth, pacing, etc.

[Ravenheart of the Wild]

Possibilities: I love the thought that what i am reading could one day become reality. I mean there has to be more out there than this rock.



Technological accomplishments: Scifi is linked to actual science in sort of way that science fiction can come up with things like timemachines and warpdrives, which makes actual scientists wonder if such things are possible with the current knowledge of the universe we have.



Everything goes: There are no barriers and obstacles when you're talking about science fiction. In this world nothing is impossibe.

[Haasth]

LaztRezort wrote...
Suspension of Disbelief:  Science fiction (as opposed to what I would call "science fantasy") has to tread a fine line here, since it is read by many science-knowledgable people (both armchair and professional).  Good SF may bend or break some laws of physics, but the consequences of these fictional elements should be be logically sound.  Even so-called "soft SF" writers are often knowledgable in a given field, or at least willing to do research.

This is very important if you ask me. Science Fiction has to sound logical. It has to sound realistic, of course it isn't realistic but people should think; "Wow. That could totally work." when they read or watch it. If it is obviously simply made up with no explenation as to how something happened or is created it quickly becomes dull and fake.

[Amberyl Ravenclaw]

- Ideas / themes - A sense that the writer is pushing the envelope, weaving both the familiar and nonfamiliar into his work, constantly pushing boundaries, and drawing the reader in. The author's ideas should evoke a sense of wonder IMHO.

- Also, the most basic requirement of all literature - a good and compelling story, fleshed-out characters, etc.

Modifié par Amberyl Ravenclaw, 22 novembre 2009 - 02:48 .

[Kalderis]

Interesting, thank you. It does seem to be overwhelmingly clear that it needs to feel attainable. I'll be honest it's highly improbable given the setting and condition that humans find themselves in. However explanations are given so i'm pleased about that.

[Orogun01]

I personally love it's relations towards the human condition, the questions of what it is to be human.

[squidyj]

psychologically true and complete characters are always a plus.



powerful and relevant themes



good writing?



What I suppose I mean is that story is character you can render in high definition resolution the technology and even social structure of your world but if all it is is a thought exercise disconnected from your characters it's not good writing. Neither is it good writing if you're shoehorning your characters to fit into the plot you want. Lastly, good writing is as much about what you leave out as what you put in. In a science fiction novel one has nearly limitless possibility to create a universe but what it all comes down to is creating a compelling story, that really needs to be the guiding rule.

[Beerfish]

1) Like books of all genres for me, characters. I want to actually care what happens to the people and or creatures in the book.



2) Storyline, something new and innovative is nice and that's the great thing about sci fi, so many possibilities.



3) Goto 1

[kraidy1117]

Space explortion: If it takes place on Earth, then I won't read it. I find it is a must for sci-fi books, movies and games to take place in space and explore new planets. We already seen earth, I rather learn about a well done, made up planet.

Alien species: They need to be very intresting, not green little men, I mean like Krogan, or the hutts from Star wars. They need to have unuiqe cultures, intresting history, a intresting religion and so on. If it is just some genric alien who has high tech then it is not worth the time.

Technology: If I want to read about sword, shields, magic and dragons I will read fantasy. If I want a relistic story, I will read a relistic book. If I( want space fights, plasma weapons, technology that I know will never exsisit then sci-fi here I come. Make sweet tech, sweet ships and weapons are a must.

Those are my three sci-fi rules, if any of those are not followed then it is not worth my time or anybody elses IMO.

[Amberyl Ravenclaw]

kraidy1117 wrote...

Technology: If I want to read about sword, shields, magic and dragons I will read fantasy. If I want a relistic story, I will read a relistic book. If I( want space fights, plasma weapons, technology that I know will never exsisit then sci-fi here I come. Make sweet tech, sweet ships and weapons are a must.

On the other hand, there are authors out there who do a pretty neat job of blending both fantasy and sci-fi elements. The book I mentioned in another thread (Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny) features demigod-like characters straight out of the Hindu pantheon who run around with weapons like a wand of fire (thermonuclear in nature), a thunder chariot (nuclear-powered), and a skull-wheel (actually an ultrasonic emitter that causes confusion to others). Likewise, Heaven exists as a lush, rich paradise albeit one sustained by a mechanical system with a generated overhead protection-dome. Such things can be done well without feeling gimmicky, but it's very much dependent on the author in question.

Modifié par Amberyl Ravenclaw, 29 novembre 2009 - 12:00 .

[LaztRezort]

kraidy1117 wrote...

Space explortion: If it takes place on Earth, then I won't read it. I find it is a must for sci-fi books, movies and games to take place in space and explore new planets. We already seen earth, I rather learn about a well done, made up planet.

Alien species: They need to be very intresting, not green little men, I mean like Krogan, or the hutts from Star wars. They need to have unuiqe cultures, intresting history, a intresting religion and so on. If it is just some genric alien who has high tech then it is not worth the time.

Technology: If I want to read about sword, shields, magic and dragons I will read fantasy. If I want a relistic story, I will read a relistic book. If I( want space fights, plasma weapons, technology that I know will never exsisit then sci-fi here I come. Make sweet tech, sweet ships and weapons are a must.

Those are my three sci-fi rules, if any of those are not followed then it is not worth my time or anybody elses IMO.

I realize everyone has their own tastes, and that's fine.  But I just want to point out that there is some very good fiction IMO that one would miss out on if these rules are followed.

For example (and off the top of my head):  Queen of Angels, Snow Crash, and Timescape are all set on Earth (well, mostly), and represent a wide range of genres/styles.  Asimov's Foundation series lacks aliens completely, and technically Dune does as well.  In fact, Dune even lacks most of the high tech stuff -- no AI or space battles, for sure.

I'd recommend any of these mentioned books to someone looking for good science fiction, or even just good fiction.