SCIFIHISTORY.NET
  • MAINPAGE
  • About
  • Reviews
  • December
  • November
  • October
  • September
  • August
  • July
  • June
  • May
  • April
  • March
  • February
  • January

Stardate 05.12.2020.B: How About A Good Book? In Defense Of SciFi Literature

5/12/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
Science Fiction literature has always gotten a 'bad rap' in public circles, and methinks this is owed to several reasons.

First, the premise behind the typical SciFi novel ends up being the driving force for the entire tale.  Detractors dismiss it as a central gimmick -- one that ends up weakening the overall story because, if removed, there might be no story at all -- and, thus, it isn't legitimate.  In some respects, I've always seen this like Hitchcock's 'McGuffin,' and I've never found it a valid argument but a way for intellectuals to simply sidestep discussing Science Fiction as a genre.

Second -- as the characters, situations, and dialogue all flow beneath the construct of a central SciFi premise -- these supporting elements are considering inferior to the tale's "science."  Holes get poked into anything that doesn't support the central conceit, an activity that ends up being far more nitpicking than anything else.  While some criticisms do have merit, critics typically can't take their eyes of the book's premise long enough to enjoy these characters for what they are: true, individual creations in the literary universe.

Lastly, as the books are often times considered 'inferior' to more -- ahem -- 'traditional' literature, the entire genre gets branded for developing what teachers and/or educators might christen "poor distractions" from serious thought.  While these academicians are willing to give praise for SciFi and Fantasy developing new worlds against an almost magical backdrop, they're quick to point out that immersing readers in such places only gives these minds easily over to flights-of-fancy, daydreaming, and the like ... and, naturally, this is the activity of lazy brains.

Sheesh.

So this morning I was pleased to stumble across an article on Phys.Org which actually takes society to task on much of the above, pointing out that readers who indulge in this unique type of literature actually may be doing their cognitive functions some good by tasking them to develop greater skills as coping, relieving anxiety, and escaping the terrors of regular boredom.  The article points out that readers of this type end up being a bit more resilient than purveyors of other genres, challenging them to develop greater empathy and emotional intelligence.

So take that, educators!

Personally, I've always thought that SciFi and Fantasy -- unlike "traditional" literature -- affords folks with much richer escapism and actually pushes the mind to perceive places only capable of visiting through imagination, which is why they're good to push readers to conceive of things they would otherwise miss ... but what do I know?  Typically, I read either to escape (which SciFi, Fantasy, and Mystery are great for) OR to educate (which interests me philosophically).  But please remember: I'm just a blogger.

In any event, thanks for reading ... and live long and prosper!
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Reviews
    ​Archive
    ​

    Reviews

    birthdays
    Archive
    ​

    January
    February
    March
    April
    May
    June
    July
    August
    September
    October
    November
    December

    mainpage
    ​ posts

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    May 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly