http://gadgetmaniac.mail2web.com/2008/01/sci-fi-rip/ Cool Gadgets and Beyond Wed, 03 Dec 2008 02:06:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 http://gadgetmaniac.mail2web.com/2008/01/sci-fi-rip/#comment-23986 Ian Sampson Tue, 22 Jan 2008 04:22:15 +0000 http://gadgetmaniac.mail2web.com/2008/01/sci-fi-rip/#comment-23986 I have been a sci-fi fan for over 30 years and I believe the gendre of Sci-Fi is in decline generally. Most of what is in the book shelves these days is Fantasy. This reflects the "dumbing down" of the modern media, the shift away from values of reason and logic, the loss of a sense of wonder and idealism, the blaming of science for our troubles today. There are however a host of untapped science idea's - AC Clark's "Rendezvous with Rama", Algis Budry's "Rogue Moon", etc etc. What about the wonderful touching funny Politically incorrect work of Frederick Brown's short stories. When I watch "I am Legend" and I remember the scope and vision of books like "Earth Abides" I cant help but feel that something quintessential is sacrificed to the silly plot and the special effect. I yearn for something adult to get to the screen, something that moves me. something that makes me ask questions, something that challenges the bland modernity and conformancy of the modern world, something that rekindles the "excitement for possibility". I must be getting old! I have been a sci-fi fan for over 30 years and I believe the gendre of Sci-Fi is in decline generally. Most of what is in the book shelves these days is Fantasy. This reflects the “dumbing down” of the modern media, the shift away from values of reason and logic, the loss of a sense of wonder and idealism, the blaming of science for our troubles today.
There are however a host of untapped science idea’s - AC Clark’s “Rendezvous with Rama”, Algis Budry’s “Rogue Moon”, etc etc. What about the wonderful touching funny Politically incorrect work of Frederick Brown’s short stories.
When I watch “I am Legend” and I remember the scope and vision of books like “Earth Abides” I cant help but feel that something quintessential is sacrificed to the silly plot and the special effect. I yearn for something adult to get to the screen, something that moves me. something that makes me ask questions, something that challenges the bland modernity and conformancy of the modern world, something that rekindles the “excitement for possibility”. I must be getting old!

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