"Patrick Schlichtenmyer" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> asked:
> I am doing a bit of research, and if you all would indulge me I have
> some questions for you.
>
> #1.)Why do you read Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Horror?
Fantasy as brain candy, horror on limited kicks, and sci-fi as brain fodder
and escapism. SF makes me think about the universe that the author has
created. If it doesn't, it's just a story set in the future, which doesnt'
do anything for me.
> #2.)What do you look for in each of these genres(i.e. what makes it a
> good read)?
Fantasy - something my wife makes me read. Horror - valid motivations,
backstory, setting, and compelling writing. SF - a believable universe.
> #3A.)If you had the ability, which book/anthology/movie-Universe within
> the above genres would you choose to live in?
Horror - I long to be chased by axe-weilding psychopaths all day. :)
Seriously:
1st choice - as non-corporeal entity in a Polis (self-sustaining
space-bourne supercomputer simulating the inhabitants), as potrayed in
Diaspora, Permutation City or "The Plank Dive" by Greg Egan, although not
necessarily in any of those specific stories (they are set in similar but
not identical universes).
This wins because I believe it most accurately portrays our possibilities
for the future. I don't think we'll develop FTL drive; therefore, the best
way to go exploring space is to ditch our bodies, gain immortality and the
ability to hibernate indefinitely and keep backup copies around. Without
this I think it will take much, much longer to expand into space, and it
will never be a personal adventure.
2nd choice - as a citizen of the Culture in Ian M. Banks series (Consider
Phlebas, et al.). A life of luxury with personal challenges as selected by
the citizen.
3rd choice might be in the Foundation universe after Foundation's Triumph,
when it is implied that the Foundation and Robots get together and do some
serious partying. The Foundation inhabitants aren't that much different than
contemporary people, and the galaxy is a pretty safe place.
> #3B.)Conversely, which one would you NOT want to live in?
Pretty much anything else.
Joshua
