“Because, to most people, it seemed lurid, fantastic and nonsensical trash, science fiction’s fans have tended to be a bit defensive in their attitude.”
– John W. Campbell, Jr., “Concerning Science Fiction”
I know that within my lifetime, the popular view of science fiction has changed for a lot of people. These days, TV Guide dedicates an [...]
Posts under ‘Sociology’
Is the Fight for Recognition Over?
The Great SF Debate
Back in 1941, Robert A. Heinlein proposed the initials “SF,” which at the time was a common abbreviation for “science fiction.” But he had another idea. He felt it should stand for the broader term “speculative fiction.” To this day, there are passionate debates about which term to use.
Is is all semantics? Here’s what I [...]
Is Fandom Dying?
Loyd Case of Extreme Tech thinks so. In an article he wrote posted Aug. 6, 2007, he claims that the ease of which fandom can be procured is part of the poison killing it. The Internet is also to blame.
“Today, of course, anyone with a credit card can trumpet his or her obsession. You can [...]
SonomaCon Keynote Address
I once had a dream — a science fiction fan community run convntion for Sonoma County, where I grew up and was once living. Then I moved. But, while I still had that dream I wrote this “Keynote Address” for the first Sonomacon as one of my Toastmaster Speeches. Enyoy!
Introduction
C.S. Pothitt will be giving a [...]
Mirrors of Our Soul: Technology & the Human Imagination
This essay was written for my “Science Fiction and American Culture” class.
“Who Am I?” and “What is my purpose?” are questions often asked in art. The answers have taken the form of 2-inch think novels, 10-page short stories, and 2-hour films. The question has been cried out in sculpture, paintings and music. Some say it [...]
