> -----Original Message----- > From: Bryon Daly [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Monday, September 08, 2003 1:34 PM > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: Decline in SF? > > > This article by Spider Robinson laments the decline in SF, > replaced by > backwards-looking Fantasy: > > http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20 > 030908/COSPIDER08/ > or: > http://makeashorterlink.com/?L565156D5 > > Would you guys agree? Is this an indicator that "young > people no longer > find the real future exciting"? Or is it more just an > indicator of book > publishers overzealously adhering to the latest trends, while > potentially > great SF authors languish unpublished?
I would agree. I find it very hard to find good sci-fi that strikes me in the same way as say Pournelle, Asimov, Heinlein, Poul or Niven (and more recently Brin :-)). I have a co-worker who has read more Sci-fi than anyone I have ever known, but the bulk of what he reads is popularized pulp, usually serialized. In fact, he is the only person I know who has read the COMPLETE Battlefield Earth series (yuk!). He laments on how long Jordan's books are, he knows its pulp, but he reads it anyway. I read a non-fiction book by Orson Scott Card, where he wrote an essay on how to write Sci-Fi. He made a point that no matter what new idea/plot/twist you may think of, it has already been done. This leads me to believe that Sci-fi has matured, and in the process, become popularized for the non sci-fi reader. Perhaps this is a form of sci-fi being marginalized. Regardless, there is good, new innovative sci-fi out there, you just have to really go by word of mouth from old school Sci-fi enthusiasts. When I go to the Sci-fi rack, it is difficult to judge a book by its cover, since they all look exciting. Frankly I have a confession - I have not read any new sci-fi, other than Brin for about a year. I am looking for good recommendations. Would anyone on the list have any ideas for a good book to read :-) (Please limit your suggestion to one per person. - thank you) > > As a side topic, Spider also laments the uncertainty of seeing manned > exploration of Mars within his lifetime. This got me > thinking - didn't > either Bush or Clinton at some point announce intent to fund > an apollo-like > manned Mars mission project, which was then immediately > pooh-poohed by the > scientific community as a waste of money that would be better > spent on other > scientific projects (ie: superconducting supercollider)? > Anyone remember > more details on that? Agree or disagree with it? It does seem to be an ego thing, for NASA to attempt to recapture the excitement and support during the Apollo era. While we can technically do it, I am against it until we have space elevators operational. Nerd From Hell > > _________________________________________________________________ > Get a FREE computer virus scan online from McAfee. > http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963 > > _______________________________________________ > http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l > _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
