What is Science Fiction

Science fiction can obviously be defined in many ways. Being that I am a novice in this area, I can only just begin to put a definition into words. I think science fiction is a type of literature which seems real, but something makes it not quite fit into reality as we know it. Often times you as the reader are presented with some type of situation which slightly distorts the physical, mental, or technological boundaries with which we are familiar.

Understand, the story we read (or are currently reading) presents us with such a situation. Scientists have discovered a drug which can be given to Alzheimer patients, stroke victims, and people in persistent vegetative states. The drug does not affect people with no brain damage, but can dramatically rebuild or repair patients with critical brain damage. In fact, the more damage, the smarter the person becomes. This situation could be possible. It isn't available right now, but at last check, scientists haven't achieved total knowledge. The scenario isn't quite real to us, but at the same time it doesn't seem too far fetched either.

Another novel I believe fits this model is Angels & Demons. I checked and this novel is listed as a detective thriller, but I would argue that it could be science fiction, assuming there is a difference (which I'm sure there is). In the very beginning of the book, Dan Brown discusses antimatter. He says that it has been successfully created by CERN laboratories. Brown asks the question of whether the antimatter, which is declared to be the most powerful energy source on earth, will be used to save the world or to create the most deadly weapon ever made. This of course sets the tone for the rest of the novel. Once again, the evidence we are given is somewhat unfamiliar to us, but it doesn't seem to be impossible. It isn't too farfetched to believe.

The process that authors use to create these new parameters is pretty similar to mathematics. Forgive me for deciding to write about math, but as a math major I see some connections. Sometimes when you are solving math problems, you will come to a point where you have to make assumptions about the conditions under which you are working. Under these assumed conditions, the conclusions you draw make perfect sense, but without them they are utterly illogical. I guess that's how I view the small amounts of science fiction to which I have been exposed.

My thoughts on Science Fiction

I believe science fiction to be an immensely imaginative form of literature that encompasses both our known world and technologies but expands into far off galaxies with amazing inventions and new races of people. Science fiction plays upon our wildest imaginings, things that are impossible become possible through science fiction.
I too had a Star Trek dad, and spent most of the 80s watching the show with him. I swear my dad looks a lot like Capt. Picard, it's crazy. I've read a few sci-fi novels, most recently I finally finished War of the Worlds, which was fantastic! I haven't bothered to see the movie, b/c I feel like it will just be a disappointment. I love the Star Wars movies, George Lucas is a genius when it comes to thinking up all the amazing creatures in that series. I've read a few books by Piers Anthony, I forget the titles but they are about Death, Mother Nature, Time, War, God and the Devil. Good reads. Robert Heinlen is another favorite author, I enjoyed Starship Troopers the movie a lot also. I don't have extensive sci-fi knowledge but have recently begun to enjoy the genre. I'm a huge fan of Stargate (both the movie and the series) on Sci-Fi channel, it was better in the first few seasons but they're beginning to run out of ideas believe it or not. There's only so many new aliens that can threaten to blow Earth to pieces.
I'm really looking forward to our reading list.

What I think science fiction is

I guess my definition of science fiction would have to be that it is an entertainment form dealing with that which is basically unknown to us, encompassing both earthly and otherwordly creatures. Usually the author or creator chooses a topic that is more of a fantasy but entertains notions that either could occur or in some way parallel actual events or objects. This seems to by why people are so interested in science fiction, not just because of the fantasy aspect but because completely random events could potentially occur, and it's fascinating to think that creatures who are nothing like us could come here and hang out or we could move a book with our minds. It's that combination of illusion and actuality that keeps people coming back--perhaps that's why I was so obsessed with ET when I was little, I really thought one day I would meet him. I suppose that most people assume that it solely discusses aliens, but after years of watching the scifi channel I've noticed that science fiction also deals with weird sea creatures and people who have strange powers and such. Maybe examples would be like 10000 leagues under the sea and encounter.
I don't really know if I have had that many experiences with science fiction other than my dad used to make me watch star trek like it was going out of style, and when I was little I thought I saw a space ship once, but I think it was just a meteor. Oh, and this one time I won an alien from a game at six flags and I thought he was pretty, so maybe sciece fiction has impacted an artistic side of my life?? I don't really read a lot of science fiction, but I do tend to flip to the scifi channel a lot (as I mentioned before) and the shows are fun. The twilight zone is just a classic, you have to love that show as well as the ride in MGM. I think that's about all I can say for now about science fiction!!