Defining Science Fiction Part 2: Defense of a Genre

Some writers, such as John Brunner, believed that science fiction is simply an advertising label and that it shouldn’t be distinguished from other types of fiction at all. Paol Anderson described science fiction as “at best a set of literary techniques.” I am by no means a learned scholar, a renown writer or even a published writer at all (unless you count this blog as publishing) but I have to disagree, as a fan, with these two men. I look at science fiction and I automatically know that it is different than everything else.

Many libraries categorize science fiction under the fantasy label, either for convenience or because of ignorance. In fact, the general concurrence among literary scholars is that science fiction is a branch of fantasy. Horror is also usually included under this category as well, even though there need not be anything supernatural involved to make a story a horror story. The same thing goes for science fiction. The plot devices and science involved in an SF story are rarely so farfetched as to make it seem utterly impossible.

Fantasy stories are those which definitely cannot happen. Science fiction stories are those that might possibly happen in some way, shape, or form someday. In my opinion, that is a very clear-cut definition for for science fiction. When comparing fantasy literature and SF I prefer to look at them as two sides of the same coin, because in many ways their territory is shared. Both deal with far-off places, strange occurrences, gods, monsters and phenomena that would be totally out of place in the real world. Even the most realistic science fiction is far away from the world we live in today. In fantasy quite often the gods and monsters are depicted as just that; gods and monsters. In science fiction, in order to try and keep things reigned in and within the boundaries of scientific understanding writers explain away these beings as extraterrestrial or inter-dimensional. That brings up another point: science fiction is kept on a leash whereas fantasy is allowed to run free into the sunset without anyone stopping it. Science fiction is the literature of ideas–and ideas are generally based on logic. Imagination–the root of all fantasy–is limitless. This is why I don’t like the two being compared as closely as they usually are.

As for science fiction being a “set of literary techniques” or an “advertising label” I have this to say in response. For SF to be simply a moniker for advertising then SF would have to be very similar to other types of literature, whereas SF sits easily on its own pedestal. I would like to know what sort of techniques Mr. Anderson was talking about when he defiled his favored genre as he did. Science fiction is a genre of literature. It is not an offshoot of fantasy, it is not a label, and it is not a series of writerly magic tricks. If you do not believe me, read several works of science fiction. Then read several works of fantasy, mystery, historical fiction and any other genre of literature you can find.

I think you’ll quickly understand what I mean when I say that SF can hold its own as a genre.

Defining Science Fiction (Part 1)

Every fan of science fiction has at one point or another heard of science fiction being referred to as “the literature of ideas.” Quite often this is the response given whenever someone is asked what the definition of science fiction is. I prefer to look at it as a tagline for science fiction instead of an actual attempt to define it. While it is very true that all science fiction is full of interesting ideas it also contains much, much more, and because of that even the most prolific, most successful writers of the genre have a hard time agreeing upon a precise definition. What better way to start a new blog than to look at some of the things some of our greatest science fiction writers have had to say about SF.

“Science fiction can be defined as that branch of literature which deals with the reaction of human beings to changes in science and technology.” Isaac Asimov

“Realistic speculation about possible future events, based solidly on adequate knowledge of the real world, past and present, and on a thorough understanding of the nature and significance of the scientific method. To make this definition cover all science fiction (instead of ‘almost all’) it is necessary only to strike out the word ‘future'” Robert A. Heinlein

“”By ‘scientifiction’ I mean the Jules Verne, H. G. Wells and Edgar Allan Poe type of story—a charming romance intermingled with scientific fact and prophetic vision … Not only do these amazing tales make tremendously interesting reading—they are always instructive. They supply knowledge . . . in a very palatable form …”  Hugo Gernsback

“Science Fiction is the branch of literature that deals with the effects of change on people in the real world as it can be projected into the past, the future, or to distant places. It often concerns itself with scientific or technological change, and it usually involves matters whose importance is greater than the individual or the community; often civilization or the race itself is in danger.” James Gunn

“Science fiction is the most important literature in the history of the world, because it’s the history of ideas, the history of our civilization birthing itself.” Ray Bradbury

“Scientific methodology involves the proposition that a well-constructed theory will not only explain every known phenomenon, but will also predict new and still undiscovered phenomena. Science-fiction tries to do much the same—and write up, in story form, what the results look like when applied not only to machines, but to human society as well.” John W. Campbell

“Fantasy is the impossible made probable. Science fiction is the improbable made possible.” Rod Sterling

 

As you can see, the definitions of science fiction are varied even in the minds of some of the greatest writers who ever wrote in the field. I could list quotes from science fiction writers all day long but we’d never get any closer to a single definition of what science fiction is.

Perhaps we don’t need a simple definition. Tom Shippey, a notable scholar of science fiction and fantasy, defines science fiction as “the literature of change” and that “it changes while you are trying to define it.” With so many sub-genres of science fiction (hard, soft, space opera, science fantasy, etc.) and the fact that they are all rooted in the various sciences and possibilities that those sciences present I think that in this case it is acceptable to say that science fiction has no single definition.

 

An AMAZING Start

As I mentioned–I think several times–in my About page and the “Welcome to Platinum” post is that I blog for Amazing Stories. Part of the territory that comes with that is that I am also on the staff of that magazine. I inquired to current publisher and owner Steve Davidson on New Year’s day when I noticed on the site that they were looking for new bloggers. I was nervous, to say the least. I’d had a few minor blogs before I decided to try my hand at this site, but the quality of the posts were appalling and the subject matter (which Steve made me painfully aware of) of those old posts were me whining about having writer’s block and that was about it. Luckily for me, he allowed me a chance to write him a proper little essay for him to look at the quality of my writing. I did so, even hiring my editor Victoria and my writer friend Greg to proofread before I sent it to him. Steve emailed me back shortly after, invited me into the Amazing Stories family and my first post appeared on March 3, 2014 (http://amazingstoriesmag.com/2014/03/mcu-s-h-e-l-d-crime-comics/) I am slated at the moment to contribute every other Monday, my next post due to appear on March 31st.

I want to take a moment and make a few things clear, since this is one of my earliest posts for Platinum. First off, this is MY blog. This blog is in no way, shape, or form affiliated with Amazing Stories other than the fact that I am on the staff of AS. I might occasionally recommend a post or two from the pages of Amazing, or advertise something that my publisher requests us to, but otherwise Amazing Stories’ business will remain theirs, and this blog’s mine. I will not divulge any secrets, business dealings or any major Amazing Stories news on my site unless specifically asked to do so by my publisher. Besides, the majority of the news and updates can easily be found on its website, amazingstoriesmag.com. We encourage everybody to check it out.

Also, all of the opinions and thoughts you will find in my posts will be mine, unless properly cited as not mine. I am a very professional person and will give credit where it is deserved. The official stance or view of Amazing Stories on any subject, topic, or issue is not mine to give. I am just a writer. I can only give you my own opinions on things. If by some chance you seek the official position on something from Amazing Stories, I recommend contacting the publisher, Steve.

I will be talking alot about SF, writing and blogging here on Platinum. I want to inform you readers though that I am NOT trying to outdo Amazing Stories or any other blog for that matter. I wanted a blog where I could talk freely without any restrictions whenever I want about anything I want. Even though my main focus is SF if I wanted to spend a day talking about dogs or cats or anything else random I can do that. That’s the beauty of having your own blog. I can’t do that at AS; I sort of have to stick within boundaries when I write on there. On here I don’t.

So, in a nutshell: This is MY blog, and anything I say or write on here is from me and not anyone else. I can do and say what I want whenever I want on here and can get away with it. If you don’t like that, then why are you still reading this?

Welcome to Platinum!

Hello, and welcome to my new blog!

My name is John Siebelink. I am an aspiring writer from the great (and freezing) state of Michigan and part of the blog staff for Amazing Stories (amazingstoriesmag.com). I am also a new member of the Black Science Fiction Society and have plans on starting an SF-dedicated student organization at Grand Rapids Community College this fall. I am a life-long fan of science fiction in all its forms, ever since my middle school librarian introduced me to the works of Andre Norton and I discovered that science fiction was not just strange music and wide-eyed aliens with lasers and flying saucers. I’m still trying to decide what about it draws me in so much, but I am a thinker and possibly the fact that science fiction is “the literature of ideas” maybe that might be at least part of the reasons.

In this blog I want to share with you all of my thoughts and feelings on the ever-changing world of science fiction, with occasional guest bloggers telling me I’m wrong (or right, if they’re nice enough) and sharing the news of the SF world and, most importantly, trying to push science fiction to a wider audience. Book/film reviews, news, commentary, history, music, contests, interviews, and serious essays are all in the works, with the occasional break from SF every now and again so that I don’t go (too) insane. Muahahahahaha

This blog will be dedicated ALMOST ENTIRELY to science fiction and writing. The only exception I plan on making is when it comes to talking about mash-ups, but that is the ONLY time any other genre is allowed to slip in to my perfectly Platinum website.

But don’t worry. I have other plans for the realms of Fantasy and dark corridors for Horror. More on that later. If you’re looking for a general, all-encompassing blog for all three genres, I STRONGLY, HIGHLY, PASSIONATELY recommend Amazing Stories. That’s the magazine that started it all and it is doing a fantastic job of keeping the masses educated and entertained in every aspect of the SF/F/H world.

I am also looking to do some pro-bono editing and reviewing, so if any of you reading this would like something (science fictional) looked at or written about then please let me know! All I’d ask for in return is for permission to make a note of it on my site for usage in a portfolio of sorts. More on that later, as well.

In order to make this blog, a dream of mine, work though I need the support of my fellow bloggers and writers out there in the world, and YOU, my readers. If you ever have any comments, suggestions, concerns or ideas for me please be sure to email me at platinumagesf@gmail.com. I WILL respond promptly to each and every email that I get, even if its a million emails a day. True, the responses won’t be very long, but I will read them all and I will respond. I love doing that stuff.

Again, welcome to Platinum. Now off to get to work on writing some posts for this site…