Many of us have had to defend our love of science-fiction and fantasy to friends and family for years now. Whether or not we’ve been successful in convincing them that the genre is more than rockets and laser battles is probably up for debate.
But if you’re looking for a little back-up the next time you defend the genre, then you need to read Doug Mann’s article from “The Mark.”
Mann is a professor of Information and Media Studies at the University of Western Ontario and he his article “In Defence of Science Fiction” is fascinating reading.
Here’s a sample of what Mann has to say:
Science fiction is good for us. Politically, morally, aesthetically, even cognitively. In plain language, it makes us think more critically about our world, to appreciate beauty in new ways, and to be better people. In that sense, science fiction is by far the best genre of pop culture, as it’s the only genre that consistently entertains and enlightens us at the same time.
“Quite the claim,” you might be thinking. Perhaps it comes from someone who has spent too much time dressing up like a Klingon and attending conventions full of fellow nerds? Sorry to disappoint: I’m not that type of SF fan. I come to the courtroom of public debate with a reasoned argument and lots of evidence. I’ll concentrate on SF television to keep things simple. Engage.
You can read the full article HERE.
Finally someone who has depth in their viewing tastes. Any chance of getting some of the spirit of this article back into the podcast as opposed to pleadings for scotch ?
I wasn’t aware that we actually needed apologists.
I thought the spirit was already there, in addition to the pleadings for scotch.
As to the article, it’s a nice read, but nothing new to SF fans.
He does not touch as to why SF is often maligned in the general public (non-SF crowd) . . . because there is a lot of crappy SF out there. To be fair, crap is not restricted to SF, but crappy SF typically includes bad costumes and bad effects on top of bad characters and bad stories, all which help to make the crappy experience more memorable than watching other crap . . . SF crap stands out.
Tsk Tsk EJ! Don’t feed the trolls… 😉
Hmmm . . . I’m not sure what that means . . . aren’t trolls more in the realm of fantasy?
Jeez, I have to agree with that question about needing an apologist. At this point I’m sick and tired of having to defend a genre that love. If other people don’t get it or put it down, that’s on them. Odds are they lack a solid imagination and that’s really the big loss for them. I like what I like and I don’t need to defend it or have anyone else defend it. Science fiction is always going to be one of those sub cultural things that is never really ever going to be understood by the masses. I’m really okay with that but I just don’t anyone defending it.