Sunday, August 28, 2011

Definitions

Science Fiction:
Dictionary:  (sci-ence fic-tion) (abbr.: SF or Sci Fi) noun: fiction based on imagined or future technological advances and major social or environmental changes, frequently portraying space or time travel and life on other planets.
Wikipedia: A genre of fiction dealing with the impact of imagined innovations in science or technology, often in a futuristic setting. Exploring the consequences of such innovations is the traditional purpose of science fiction, making it a "literature of ideas."
Rod Serling's definition of fantasy and science fiction: "Fantasy is the impossible made probable. Science Fiction is the improbable made possible." 

Speculative Fiction:
Wikipedia: Branch of Social Science Fiction/Soft Sci Fi (abbr.: spec-fic or specfic)-- an umbrella term encompassing the more fantastical fiction genres, specifically science fiction, fantasy, horror, supernatural fiction, superhero fiction, utopian and dystopian fiction, apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction and alternative history in literature, as well as related static, motion, and virtual arts.

The term has been used to express dissatisfaction with what some people consider the limitations of science fiction, or otherwise to designate fiction that falls under readily stereotypical genres so that it can be pigeonholed within such categorical limits as "fantasy" or "mystery".

8 comments:

  1. Ohhh, interesting! Thank you Hils :)

    Hope you and your family are all safe from Hurricane Irene? *fingers crossed*

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  2. Orannia, :D

    We all made it through just fine. Thank you. But others didn't and now it's clean-up time!

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  3. I'm glad you made it through Irene safe and sound!

    And I like that quote from Rob Serling - good one. My library shelves fantasy on their science fiction shelves - which annoys the pedant in me...

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  4. Li, thank you!

    Of all the definitions I saw out there, I liked Serling's the best because he differentiated between sci-fi and fantasy. I liked what he had to say about both too, nice and succinct.

    I understand your frustration with the shelving of fantasy and sci-fi. It drives me crazy when I have to wade through books that in my opinion are in the wrong shelves. LOL!

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  5. Great quote by Mr Rod Serling. I didn't know about speculative fiction, but just hearing it... boring LOL.

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  6. Nath, I love that quote too. :)

    LOL, you slay me with that comment about Spec Fic -- you know, the way you probably read more spec fic that you think... and you just don't know it. LOLOL!

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  7. Most probably... but the name of the genre? still sounds boring LOL.

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