RE: Getting started

I was thoroughly hooked on science fiction a few years back, but what with (sometimes) dull college reading and all, I really haven't had time to catch up on it recently.
To me, science fiction is an expansion of the social, political and technological challenges we face in the modern world but with more opportunities to present one's story. The genre allows for more opportunities and more flexibility, which can be used as a crutch or an effective way of presenting one's ideas.
My favorite science fiction author has to be Douglas Adams. I read Hitchhiker's Guide in my junior year of high school and finally finished the series last year. I realize Adams' work is as much satire and humor as it is science fiction, but I love the combination.

(My appologies for any misspelled words. I guess I rely too much on spell-check.)