Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site topaz.ARPA Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!cbdkc1!desoto!packard!topaz!SORCEROR@LL.ARPA 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)