Alternate History: Science Fiction or Something Else?
Tor.com’s recent post got me thinking about the problem that is alternate history. As highlighted by Tor, the opinions on alternate history seem to be relatively split down the middle: some believe it is science fiction and others do not, except in certain scenarios. I think I’ve voiced my opinions on this before, but never in a post dedicated to the topic. I have issues with considering alternate history as science fiction. I probably fit into that second camp that considers the genre largely something else, except in those occasions when someone from a future point is actively participating in the altering of history (Back to the Future, for example). The problem seems to be one of definition. I consider science fiction to largely be future oriented, in some capacity, with a heavy focus on some aspect of scientific discourse, whether accurate or otherwise. Thus, works like 1984 and Star Wars can be held within the science fiction genre (where they are then split into different subgenres for the purposes of differentiation). Science fiction, for me, must always consider the impacts of the present (or even the past) on a future point, even if that future point is tomorrow, rather than one hundred years from now. With that in mind, how can one possibly fit alternate history into the science fiction genre? It’s not about the future, it does not at all reflect upon the present, and it is not, as a genre, concerned with scientific subjects (from sociology to politics to physics)–though such subjects may play a part in certain tales. Alternate history tends to ask “What if this did or didn’t happen?” while science fiction tends to ask “What if this happened?” There is a disconnect there between what I consider to be the under-riding question. Science fiction never asks us to think about what didn’t happen; it is an active, progress-based genre (whether for good or for bad). But what do we do with alternate history if we can’t place it in science fiction? Wouldn’t it be fare to give it its own category? The generally accepted genre classification takes speculative fiction as the main genre, with science fiction and fantasy underneath as subcategories–sometimes horror gets put in there too. Why must we stick everything within those two subcategories? It seems somewhat absurd that everyone must either be fantasy or science fiction, and not something else–except where legitimate crossover is concerned, such as a science fiction horror, or a science fantasy, etc. Couldn’t we take the easy road and introduce a category specific to alternate history? As a genre, alternate history is neither science fiction, nor fantasy, but it is speculative. Perhaps that’s the best thing to do with it. What do you think? Do you consider alternate history as science fiction? Why or why not? Let me know in the comments!
Silly Reader Questions: Klingons, Ferengi, the Amazing Randi and Dollars For Paranormals
The other day a couple folks on twitter sent me two silly questions to blog about here on WISB. I’m quite fond of silly questions, by the way, but that’s really not the point. The point is, I’m going answer these questions posing as a hamster…okay, so I’m not going to do that, but I am going to answer the questions. First up, Mulluane asks a surprisingly open question: Klingon or Ferengi? This is another of those questions that doesn’t specify what it is asking. Is it asking which I like best, which I think I might be, or something else? And, as with the last time this happened, I’m going to answer this question with responses to each possibility. If I had to pick which Star Trek species I’d want to be, it would have to be the Klingons, only because I find the Ferengi to be remarkably disgusting, vile creatures, and at least the Klingons have some sort of logical honor built into their system–the Ferengi would probably sell their own mothers for a quick buck. That, and I don’t see the Ferengi as a particularly ferocious species, which poses problems for me because I’m not really one to cower in a corner when the world is ending. But, I’m also probably strange enough to be more Ferengi than Klingon. As much as I might envision myself as the warrior type, I’m not, and perhaps my personality does fit well within the Ferengi mythos. I’ll just keep it in my head that I’m more Klingon that slimy two-timer with bad teeth–of course, the Klingons lack dental hygiene as well, but at least they don’t look like something that might crawl out of a toilet…or do they? As for which I prefer, well, I think it’s pretty obvious. As much as the Klingons may be wicked bastards in the show and films, they are also pretty badass, and I think that’s important, don’t you? They make for fairly reliable villains, which runs contrary to the Ferengi, who I can only remember as sneaky bartenders thanks to the crapfest that was DS9.—————– The second question cam from GothixHalo: Do you think anyone will ever win the $1,000,000 prize offered by the Amazing Randi for real paranormal abilities? Someone is actually willing to waste that kind of money trying to find something as ridiculous as that? Really? If you’re going to just toss away money to some quack who happens to fool you, you might as well just drop it off on my doorstep. At least I’ll put it to good use buying books and what not. No, I don’t think anyone will ever legitimately win that prize. Someone may trick the Amazing Randi by putting on one hell of a show, but I do not think that anyone will win such a thing by actually having paranormal abilities that were not crafted through some sort of genetic engineering. I do think that paranormal abilities are a possibility, but I don’t believe in any of the pseudoscience mumbo-jumbo spouted by the idiots who host all the ghost hunting and talk-to-your-dead-puppy shows. Such abilities do not exist and people who claim to have them are either putting on a show for their fifteen minutes of fame (or a quick buck), or they’re simply insane. Either way, they’re entertaining, so I won’t deny them the right to prance around pretending to talk to Abraham Lincoln and all that nonsense. Simply put, the Amazing Randi should take his money elsewhere. At least the $500,000 offered up for a monster-sized snake is realistic, considering that it’s possible a python or anaconda could reach lengths of one hundred feet…——————- And that’s it. If you have any silly questions, feel free to email them to me at arconna[at]yahoo[dot]com, leave them in the comments section of this post (or any post for that matter), or send them as a reply to my twitter account. And if you like this post, please stumble or digg it! Thanks!
5 Black Science Fiction/Fantasy Authors Everyone Should Read
It’s been a while since I’ve done a list like this, so I thought this list would be a great way to get back into them. The following are five black authors I think everyone should read, even if only once: 1. Octavia ButlerDefinitely a favorite with me, Butler is the author of some of the best science fiction novels to come out of the era following the Golden Age, rivaling even the greats of the pre-social-revolution period. From Parable to the Sower to her Xenogenesis series, Butler has captivated readers everywhere with her brilliant examinations of the human condition. If you haven’t read her work, you should, and I’d recommend her stuff to anyone who happens to like speculative fiction, even if science fiction isn’t your thing; her work is sort of universal. 2. Tananarive DueAuthor of one of my favorite short stories, “Like Daughter,” Due has captured in so few words some of the most pressing issues of our time, from cloning to the lack of Black “heroes” in fiction. She even works with Blair Underwood, if you believe it, and that’s pretty cool in my book. Fantastic writer and definitely worth reading. 3. Samuel R. DelanyOne of the best literary critics and science fiction/fantasy writers of all time, Delany has a knack for philosophy, world building, and downright in-depth storytelling. His critical essays on science fiction are particularly interesting, in case you’re into that stuff. If not, check out some of his best science fiction works such as Dhalgren or Babel-17. 4. George SchuylerAuthor of Black No More, probably one of those novels you should read even if you’re not a science fiction reader, Schuyler has had a rather strong career dealing with issues of color, humanity, and much more. Black No More is a poignant social commentary on the culture of “whitening” (or creation of products to de-black African Americans so they could fit in) that gained prominence during the early 1900s. Definitely worth picking up. 5. Nalo HopkinsonRecognized as an author who draws upon her Caribbean roots, Nalo has had a brilliant career in the fantasy/cross genre world, writing such greats as Brown Girl in the Ring and working with Uppinder Mehan on the collection So Long Been Dreaming. I’d recommend her works if you like softer science fiction or crossover work, particularly Brown Girl in the Ring, which begs a lot of questions about organ donors in the future and the nature of culture and magic in a dystopic setting. And there you have it. What do you think are some must-read black science fiction authors? Particularly I’m thinking of authors who might not be so clearly labeled as fantasy or science fiction, but the names are escaping me at the moment. Feel free to tell me in the comments! I know I’m missing some folks!
SF/F Links: Another Pre-May Batch
I just keep finding nifty stuff to let you all know about. Hope you find some of these interesting: I give you Zombie Kids. I love this image. For those of you writing superhero fiction/comics, you might want to check out this detailed questionnaire. Might be a good place to start with developing a superhero or supervillian who is three dimensional. Remember that post not too long ago about current events and reader preferences? Well, I was right about a few things, like how escapist fiction gets a rise in not-so-good times. Natania Barron has an interesting article on the other in fantasy literature. It’s short, but interesting nonetheless. Futurismic highlights some of the insanely Orwellian things happening in the U.K. right now. You’ll be surprised the things they’re doing. You think we have it bad? They’re closer to Fascism than we’ve ever been. I may be ranting about this in the near future. Here’s an interesting cyberpunk reading list. Might be worth checking out if you’re into that genre or are curious about it. (Thanks to SF Signal) Book Giveaways Today’s Adventure has a copy of Bloody Jack by L. A. Meyer to give away.
Reader Question: Why Science Fiction?
This is an interesting question submitted by Perry on Facebook. The reason it’s interesting is because I’m not sure what it’s asking. It could be asking several different things at once, such as: Why do you like science fiction? Why do you write/blog about science fiction? Why science fiction and not something else? How exactly do I approach this question if there are so many ideas infused into it? I figure the best way to do so is to answer each of the questions above as best I can. Here goes: Why do you like science fiction?One of the great things about science fiction is that it never ceases to amaze me. While the genre has largely lost it’s “wow” factor in the world, it is still a genre full of new and fresh ideas. The reason I like science fiction as much as I do is because I find the genre fascinating, whether it be far-future space opera or near-future hard SF. As a genre of ideas, it is one that constantly challenges me to rethink the world I live in, and the world I will one day live in, to rethink who I am and what it means to be human. Since my academic interests are invested in the notion of “the human,” this is a perfect genre for bringing up difficult issues to deal with, particularly about humanity and the other (whatever that other might be). I also happen to like spaceships and space battles. I like explosions and aliens and all the nifty cliches of the genre. It’s sort of hard not to for me. I’m also a big fan of science, even if I am not, and never will be, a scientist. Science fiction either approaches science from a realistic perspective or from a perspective that takes liberty with reality. But in true science fiction, science is always there in some capacity. As an avid fan of science, science fiction lets me see an author’s vision of the future based on where we are now; it’s also fascinating to see how science fiction and reality blend together. So, to put it simply: I like science fiction because it is the one genre that offers me everything I want in one package. Why do I write/blog about science fiction?I blog about a lot of things, but science fiction is certainly the big one. Fantasy and writing are pretty much tied for second place, I suppose. Blogging is, in part, an extension of what I want to do professionally. It’s an avenue through which I can express my opinions on the genre and converse with other fans, etc. I can’t exactly go down the street and find a big science fiction fan club to hang out in–I’m not even sure we have one in Santa Cruz. Blogging is basically the best way I have of communicating with folks interested in the same subjects as myself. And since I am going to be spending most of my academic career studying science fiction and its related genres, I find a blog is a healthy way of excavating ideas, thoughts, opinions, etc.–even if they’re not particularly good ideas, thoughts, or opinions. I write science fiction for an entirely different reason, though. I cannot for the life of me write anything but speculative fiction (science fiction, fantasy, etc.). If I start writing a story about the real world, I tune out. Getting excited about such things is impossible for me. The real world is too bland for my tastes, which probably says a lot about my tastes when there is so much going on in this world these days. But that’s the truth. When I write normal fiction, I’m pretty much bored after sentence two; when I write science fiction or fantasy, it’s a whole other story. I get excited about writing stories where I get to express my ideas of the future, or fiddle with concepts of humanity, etc. There’s something purely enjoyable about writing in this genre. Maybe it’s just me and I have some sort of ultra-fantasy gene. Whatever the internal or genetic reason, I write science fiction because I enjoy it. Period. Why science fiction and not something else?Well, I do like fantasy and related genres, but I am generally uninterested in fiction that is not fantastic in some way. The reason is that I find real life boring. I don’t mean my real life, but real life as it pertains to fiction. There’s nothing entertaining about people going through regular everyday things. I don’t particularly care about anything to do with the real world, as far as fiction is concerned (non-fiction is an entirely different story). The thing is, I live in real life; I don’t want to read about it. For this reason, I am interested in science fiction and related genres both personally and professionally. I am fascinated by the fantastic, by spaceships and dragons and anything that lies in the cracks. If there isn’t some sort of speculative premise in a story, I’m unlikely to read it with much enthusiasm. My tastes do change, though, and there are exceptions to this (Thomas Pynchon and a few African authors are good exceptions), but for the most part I stick to my guns on speculative fiction. And that’s that. Thanks for the question, Perry. Now I’ll throw it out to all of you. Why science fiction? Or, if science fiction isn’t your thing, why whatever you read (fantasy, horror, etc.)? If you’d like to send me a question, you can email it to me at arconna[at]yahoo[dot]com, leave it as a comment here or anywhere, or send it as a twitter message with @shaunduke at the front of the message. Thanks.
SF/F Links: Some More April Goodies
I have a few more links for you all, including some book reviews. Here goes: Self-Published Reviews has a discussion of self-publishing that isn’t exactly rosy. WebEcoist has a list of 12 dystopian science fiction films you should all check out. There are a few in there I’ve never heard of, but now want to see. David Steffen asks: What is “literary?” He makes some great points worth considering. ShareWorlds (a world-building workshop for teenagers) is back for 2009. Mary Robinette Kowal has a top ten list of evil queens. It’s a bit old, but still cool. The Plenty Principle asks if science fiction is finished as a genre (from a reader’s perspective). OnlineColleges.net has an interesting list of fifteen of the strangest college courses in America. Some of these courses really are completely pointless, but a handful I’d take in a heartbeat, because they sound fascinating! And some book giveaways: J. Kaye’s Book Blog has a copy of Once Bitten by Kalayna Price to giveaway. She also has a copy of The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams to toss out there. Reviewer X has a copy of Silver Phoenix by Cindy Pon to giveaway. And there you go. Enjoy!