Is Science Fiction the Opiate of the Geek Masses? 747
jimharris writes "After reading Geoff Ryman's Mundane SF website, where he promotes a new form of science fiction based on real science, I got to wondering if traditional science fiction is just the opiate of the geek masses? Most science fiction is based on speculative fantasy rather than hard science - the common example being stories built around faster-than-light travel. Einstein rules, and FTL space travel has about zero chance of ever existing. SF writer Ian McDonald replied in his blog, Heads down, there's going to be incoming... and a rather wide-ranging discussion and elaboration of the idea is held over at mundane-sf.blogspot.com. Proponents of the Mundane Manifesto readily admit that traditional science fiction is just harmless fun, but I have to ask, how many people out there have a positive view on life because they believe in Star Trek in the same way that other faithful do."
So is ... (Score:2, Funny)
Re:So is ... (Score:3, Funny)
I believe the accepted phrase is "leaking the lizard."
science fiction (Score:1, Funny)
Code Monkeys ain't exactly the sharpest tools in the shed.
In other news factory workers read a lot of detective novels.
Re:No (Score:4, Funny)
You really ought to attend a Star Trek con sometime.
Best argument for euthanasia/compulsory birth control on the planet.
^_^
Re:Who are these 'faithful'??? (Score:5, Funny)
We're still a few centuries away from the Church of Star Trek, though, and then the eventual retaliation where-by all fans of the series are killed in the manner most befitting virgins.
Guy: *Tosses Geek into Volcano* He's Dead, Jim.
Re:No (Score:3, Funny)
I went to one when I was twelve (oddly enough, the same year I joined /., I think. But I digress), and William Shatner was there. No one was allowed to get within ten feet of him, and at one point I remember somebody pointing at his Toupe and shouting, "LOOK! A TRIBBLE!"
Yes, for the love of the Gods, none of us need to reproduce.
And not just because of Star Trek. Every person born is another person breathing my precious, precious oxygen.
My oxygen.
Re:Who are these 'faithful'??? (Score:2, Funny)
Which geeks?
Maybe:
The fat | out of shape, no personality, geeks who wear Star Trek uniforms to events as though they could be crew members but would have a better chance of being shot by a blind terrorist sniper at a distance of two miles after surviving a lightning strike on their way home from winning the lottery three weeks in a row than to make it into the Star Fleet Academy?
Seriously - I've always wondered about this but never found a good answer.
Re:Ya think? (Score:4, Funny)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2218456.
Re:So try technology-based predictions (Score:2, Funny)
Both my parents were slain by Evil Leprechauns and there was nothing "fucking awesome" about that you unfeeling bastard.