Science Fiction Vs. Fantasy
Its an old, old argument. There is a segment of fandom that firmly believes science fiction is superior to fantasy. Not just that they prefer it, which they clearly do, but that it is in fact superior. It takes "real" science and uses it to attempt to predict future trends and behaviors. Or something like that.
These people are of course referring to hard science fiction. At least I assume they are since soft science fiction is just fantasy in a futuristic setting instead of a medieval one. Then again they might well insist on the term speculative fiction and get very upset about my use of the term sci-fi.
Now this sort of thought pattern certainly isn't unique to the science fiction fantasy debate. There are many similar arguments throughout fandom. Tv sci-fi vs. written sci-fi? Novelizations vs. original novels? Trekkie vs. Trekker?
In most cases the arguments boil down to the same thing. The stuff the person likes is good because its sophisticated/mature/clever. The stuff they don't like is bad because its derivative, childish, hackery.
Its uncanny how all the stuff they like turns out to be good isn't it?
As fantasy has grown in popularity over the last 20 or so years, there's been quote a bit of moaning about how its taking over the shelves (read taking away from the good science fiction). Now I've never done any sort of remotely scientific study, but my personal experience suggests that the science fiction section (which is where the fantasy is always put) in bookstores seems a lot bigger than it used to be 15 years ago. Could that possibly be because fantasy's popularity has expanded the market?
But that doesn't matter because fantasy is childish, its derivative and repetitive. Unlike all the quality science fiction thats been published for the last half century or so. Not a stinker amongst them I'm sure. No, all that pulp sci-fi with ray guns and bug eyed monsters was top quality, original work. None of it done purely for money and all of it based on the latest scientific information.
Even at the quality end of the science fiction spectrum, where the work usually is original and based on some cutting edge science, that doesn't always actually make it a good story. It can still be boring and trite.
What's truly bizzare about this desperate urge to put down other factions of a related hobby is that the entire spectrum of the genre, fantasy, science fiction, sci-fi, speculative fiction is all regarded by most people as childish. Shouldn't the fact that the general public looks down their noses at us breed a certain tolerance for other people's likes? Apparently not.
I suppose putting ones own tastes on a critical pedestal might prop up the ego a bit, but really if you're doing it by slighting a genre that you're still part of it isn't likely going to impress anyone else.
So here's my suggestion. Stop inventing new words to define the genre. Stop sub-classifying. Stop creating reasons why what you like is better than what everyone else likes. If you like space opera enjoy it. If you like hard SF, enjoy that. If you just love a good fantasy phone book then enjoy that too. And above all stop worrying about what everyone else is enjoying. Its perfectly possible to promote the stuff you like without stomping on everyone elses favorites too.
Really, it is. Try it. You might find that people are more willing to try your suggestions if you haven't spent the previous 10 minutes hysterically bewailing their fondness for The Sword of Truth (not a favorite of mine I admit).
Eoghann Irving is amongst other things the creator and Editor of Solar Flare. He has a life long interest in all forms of science fiction and fantasy and a pressing need to share this interest with anyone who will listen. Find out more at his personal website eoghann.com..| 2.9 |
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