Comments on: Should science fiction short stories be more optimistic? http://futurismic.com/2008/02/13/should-science-fiction-short-stories-be-more-optimistic/ Presenting the fact and fiction of tomorrow since 2001 Sat, 19 May 2012 23:03:43 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: JRS http://futurismic.com/2008/02/13/should-science-fiction-short-stories-be-more-optimistic/comment-page-1/#comment-30102 JRS Tue, 26 May 2009 15:29:02 +0000 http://futurismic.com/2008/02/13/should-science-fiction-short-stories-be-more-optimistic/#comment-30102 Absolutely! I am thoroughly sick of dystopian futures! I mean, they have their place, don't get me wrong, but for crying out loud, enough is enough! Balance, please! I also think these dark stories may be bad for society as a whole. People are so brainwashed to think that any new technology will be the end of civilization that you can't even suggest a new idea anymore without sending people into a panic! So let's get to work here and create a positive outlook. Look at the works of Arthur C. Clarke. I read his novels and I can't wait for it all to happen! We need more stories like that. Absolutely! I am thoroughly sick of dystopian futures! I mean, they have their place, don’t get me wrong, but for crying out loud, enough is enough! Balance, please! I also think these dark stories may be bad for society as a whole. People are so brainwashed to think that any new technology will be the end of civilization that you can’t even suggest a new idea anymore without sending people into a panic! So let’s get to work here and create a positive outlook. Look at the works of Arthur C. Clarke. I read his novels and I can’t wait for it all to happen! We need more stories like that.

]]> By: Ryan http://futurismic.com/2008/02/13/should-science-fiction-short-stories-be-more-optimistic/comment-page-1/#comment-13231 Ryan Sat, 23 Feb 2008 01:28:07 +0000 http://futurismic.com/2008/02/13/should-science-fiction-short-stories-be-more-optimistic/#comment-13231 Agree on all accounts. I am surrounded every day, sometimes all day long, by people who know only how to look for the worst in the world and in human nature, bemoan it endlessly, and proclaim that there is no cure or that the cure will never be achieved (yes, I am a university student). Luckily, I already get to work some place that is a convenient junction between science fiction and optimism - a company building real-world bipedal vehicles ("mechs") for everyday commercial use, that will among other things reduce the number of heavy (gas burning) vehicles needed in various businesses. Plus, we're all about the reduce, reuse, recycle mantra. For those who might be interested, the site is www.MechaPS.com. But yes. Science has the potential to make the future a very bright one, and science fiction needs to reflect that. Agree on all accounts. I am surrounded every day, sometimes all day long, by people who know only how to look for the worst in the world and in human nature, bemoan it endlessly, and proclaim that there is no cure or that the cure will never be achieved (yes, I am a university student). Luckily, I already get to work some place that is a convenient junction between science fiction and optimism – a company building real-world bipedal vehicles (“mechs”) for everyday commercial use, that will among other things reduce the number of heavy (gas burning) vehicles needed in various businesses. Plus, we’re all about the reduce, reuse, recycle mantra. For those who might be interested, the site is http://www.MechaPS.com.

But yes. Science has the potential to make the future a very bright one, and science fiction needs to reflect that.

]]> By: jon http://futurismic.com/2008/02/13/should-science-fiction-short-stories-be-more-optimistic/comment-page-1/#comment-13205 jon Tue, 19 Feb 2008 00:10:29 +0000 http://futurismic.com/2008/02/13/should-science-fiction-short-stories-be-more-optimistic/#comment-13205 I remember having similar feelings while reading "Civilwarland in Bad Decline" by George Saunders. Even though i thought it was brilliant, creative, and even pretty funny in places, i had to put it down half way through and never go near it again -- for fear that my already-pretty-cynical mind might be permanently damaged. I remember having similar feelings while reading “Civilwarland in Bad Decline” by George Saunders. Even though i thought it was brilliant, creative, and even pretty funny in places, i had to put it down half way through and never go near it again — for fear that my already-pretty-cynical mind might be permanently damaged.

]]> By: Jeremy Eades http://futurismic.com/2008/02/13/should-science-fiction-short-stories-be-more-optimistic/comment-page-1/#comment-13163 Jeremy Eades Thu, 14 Feb 2008 11:46:30 +0000 http://futurismic.com/2008/02/13/should-science-fiction-short-stories-be-more-optimistic/#comment-13163 The depressing ones are good reminders of what not to do as a species. The depressing ones are good reminders of what not to do as a species.

]]> By: Kian http://futurismic.com/2008/02/13/should-science-fiction-short-stories-be-more-optimistic/comment-page-1/#comment-13162 Kian Thu, 14 Feb 2008 10:42:24 +0000 http://futurismic.com/2008/02/13/should-science-fiction-short-stories-be-more-optimistic/#comment-13162 I suppose the concept of a workable future is why I enjoy the "Culture" from Iain M Banks. I know its Cyber punk and not actually from Earth but I enjoy the idea that there is a working society. I suppose it often comes down to how much harder it would be not only to design a workable future but also to create an enthralling event inside the system. I suppose the concept of a workable future is why I enjoy the “Culture” from Iain M Banks. I know its Cyber punk and not actually from Earth but I enjoy the idea that there is a working society. I suppose it often comes down to how much harder it would be not only to design a workable future but also to create an enthralling event inside the system.

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