Science Fiction

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December book club canceled. Short stories instead!

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Lemmy World Rules

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What makes a great sci-fi story? (lemmy.world)

submitted 1 year ago by grasshopper_mouse@lemmy.world to c/sciencefiction@lemmy.world

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I'm curious what users feel makes a great sci-fi story. What elements do you feel "make or break" the story specifically where sci-fi is concerned? For me, I really enjoyed the Expanse series, as it feels like there's a sort of "believability" to it all. The authors make everything seem very realistic, even if some of the descriptions and physics are made up.

What is it about your favorite sci-fi books and shows that make them your favorites?

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[–] Motavader@lemmy.world 15 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

I particularly enjoy sci-fi that explores philosophy using various archetypes that can't exist yet without some advance in texhnology, or explore society by taking certain aspects to their logical extreme.

Blade Runner is a good movie example of the former. It explores the nature of humanity, consciousness, and "self" using advanced synthetic beings. Children of Time is a book example that explores evolution, religion, and more.

GATTACA is a good example for social exploration: eugenics, and morality. Children of Men is another good one: what would happen to society if we saw the end of our species in the near future.

Other books I've enjoyed along those lines: XX, Left Hand of Darkness, Three Body Problem (all 3 books). Other movies: District 9, Ex Machina, WALL-E, The Matrix.

[–] philboydstudge@lemmy.world 6 points 1 year ago

I completely agree with this take. Good sci-fi examines and questions what it is to be human.

I get the enjoyment of the alt-technology focused works that are more of space engineering thought experiments. Those Weir-esk books are totally valid, and I enjoy them enough, but I really think the works that will stand the test of time are those that present worlds with different circumstances and examine humanity in that context.

[–] grasshopper_mouse@lemmy.world 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I've read a lot of Philip K. Dick and enjoyed them, even though some are waaaaay out there, but he has a real gift with writing that I don't think many can emulate as well and still get the point across like he can. I'll definitely add the others you've mentioned to my lists!

[–] Motavader@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

Cool!

XX takes some time to get going, but it pays off.