Re: SF then & now (Was Re: Original Sin)

From: Walter Hicks (wallyshoes@mindspring.com)
Date: Tue Oct 07 2003 - 17:48:21 EDT

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    George Murphy wrote:

    > Walter Hicks wrote:
    > >
    > > George Murphy wrote:
    > >
    > > > Walter Hicks wrote:
    > > > >
    > > > > George Murphy wrote:
    > > > >
    > > > > >
    > > > > > I don't agree with Walt about Wells as a SF writer. I think much of his SF was
    > > > > > pretty good, though much is rather dated by now.
    > > > >
    > > > > Being a real SF buff, it is hard for me to think of Wells' so called science fiction as
    > > > > being anything other than fantasy. There was precious little real science in his writings
    > > >
    > > > I think it would have looked different 100 years ago.
    > >
    > > I may be old, but I'm not that old --- so speak for yourself, George.
    > >
    > > O.K. I revise my comment to: "Wells wrote fantasy that is hopelessly out of date with respect
    > > to any real science."
    > >
    > > Perhaps that is why I never liked it.
    > >
    > > Appeased?
    > >
    > > Probably not :)
    >
    >
    >
    > I continued this thread with a new name because I think SF deserves more
    > attention in science-theology discussions than it gets. SF films & TV play a major role
    > in the popular understanding of science (mostly bad) & can serve as a vehicle for
    > promoting views about religion, both positive & negative.

    I was always a big fan of the original Star Trek. I liked its upbeat morality theme. I vaguely
    recall one where the planet visited had what Kirk thought were "sun worshippers" and Spock informed
    that they were "Son worshipers" ---- much like an old religion on his own planet. Somewhat of
    put-down I thought.

    Lewis' Silent Planet trilogy was a nice piece of Christian sci-fi. I have to confess that I am not
    aware of much else. Can you direct us to some?

    > I don't have a strong preference for "hard" vs "soft" SF & think both have their
    > place. Introducing things that would go beyond our present theories (like FTL drives)
    > is OK - in moderation.

     I admit to being a hard core snob. Trouble is that it is hard to come by.

    Walt 

    --
===================================
Walt Hicks <wallyshoes@mindspring.com>

    In any consistent theory, there must
exist true but not provable statements.
(Godel's Theorem)

    You can only find the truth with logic
If you have already found the truth
without it. (G.K. Chesterton)
===================================

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