psychotick
Auror
Hi,
It depends. Would anyone argue that Hitchikers is bad sci fi? I wouldn't. I think it's great. So is Ringworld and it comes with all sorts of problems. And every space opera known to man breaks the rules of relativity.
What is important is that the science part is consistent with the world. That the rules are clear. And if they don't fit with what we "know" or think we know, there's some sort of explanation. So for say the Deathstalker series, there's a reason that swords are still useful after your one shot laser pistol is out - even though we all know it's so you can have sword fights in the future along with spaceships etc.
However, for me the best sci fi is when someone takes a possibility (which may or may not actually be possible) and explores all the ramifications. That's why I would rate Vernor Vinge's Peace War so highly. It takes a simple idea - stasis bubbles - and explores the ramifications of the technology. What you could do with it and what might result because of it. Sci fi should always ask the question "What if?"
Cheers, Greg.
It depends. Would anyone argue that Hitchikers is bad sci fi? I wouldn't. I think it's great. So is Ringworld and it comes with all sorts of problems. And every space opera known to man breaks the rules of relativity.
What is important is that the science part is consistent with the world. That the rules are clear. And if they don't fit with what we "know" or think we know, there's some sort of explanation. So for say the Deathstalker series, there's a reason that swords are still useful after your one shot laser pistol is out - even though we all know it's so you can have sword fights in the future along with spaceships etc.
However, for me the best sci fi is when someone takes a possibility (which may or may not actually be possible) and explores all the ramifications. That's why I would rate Vernor Vinge's Peace War so highly. It takes a simple idea - stasis bubbles - and explores the ramifications of the technology. What you could do with it and what might result because of it. Sci fi should always ask the question "What if?"
Cheers, Greg.