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From: SORCEROR@LL.ARPA
Newsgroups: net.sf-lovers
Subject: The Problems of Science Fiction Today
Message-ID: <2398@topaz.ARPA>
Date: Wed, 26-Jun-85 15:06:00 EDT
Article-I.D.: topaz.2398
Posted: Wed Jun 26 15:06:00 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 27-Jun-85 07:32:28 EDT
Sender: daemon@topaz.ARPA
Organization: Rutgers Univ., New Brunswick, N.J.
Lines: 37

From: 

   
     THE PROBLEMS OF SCIENCE FICTION TODAY, PART VII has finally prompted me to
put in my two-cent's worth.  In this essay, I believe that Davis Tucker captures
the *essential* element which sets Literature off from *most* SF and other genre
entertainments; serious and authentic treatment of the protagonists' emotional
lives. While the desire for self-realization may be a nearly inevitable theme
for fiction, in SF this often takes particularly exotic and grandiose forms, and
it usually results from some outside agency, rather than the hero's or heroine's
coming to better terms with his or her *inner reality*.  The general popularity
of this genre over the last decade may reflect cultural changes which place more
value on individual competence and achievement ("excellence").  I hypothesize
that the rare and unusual nature of the transformed protagonist makes SF very
appealing to people who have put a lot of effort into esoteric scientific and
technical specialties. Their disdain for a full development of emotional issues
in fiction may arise from a life experience which hasn't emphasized the value of
their expression and exploration.  I think I hear echoes of this attitude in the
negative reactions to the "Thomas Covenant" series which have been expressed in
the Digest.  Personal growth over the past year has led me to acknowledge that
my affinity for both science and SF has been, in part, a game I've played to
avoid dealing with my feelings.  Despite this "self-realization", I still feel
that both enterprises are valuable, and I do not reject either one.  However, I
am concerned that an intensive involvement with these glamorous myths (e.g. Star
Wars) is preventing many "fans" from directing their efforts to achieve self-
realization in real life.  I would urge readers who feel threatened by the
recent wave of criticism to examine their reactions in the light of these
observations.
 
"Ray of Hope Department" - I was very impressed with David Brin's "SunDiver"
as a story which dealt with a character's emotional life and inner growth.  Any
novel which can handle these issues *along* with fascinating hard science and
sociological extrapolation is a real winner, in my eyes. Comments, anyone?
 
                             Karl Heinemann
                             (SORCEROR at LL.ARPA)