Why Science Fiction

Holiday hiatus is over.  Back to weekly SPT Columns.

Alright:
I’m starting something new at Scranton Page Turner.  Not sure how often this will occur here, however here is the inaugural essay.  This essay will discuss my favorite genre and why I believe it doesn’t get the attention it deserves.

Science Fiction and Fantasy seems to always get a bum rap, always seems to be the child in the corner, when in actuality, without Science Fiction, many of our technological advancements would not have been achieved.  Think about it for a moment:
–Moon landings.
–Submarines.
–Space Travel.
–Cell Phones.

Where would we be today if the writers of the fantastic did not believe these things were possible and write them down?
Jules Verne
Gene Roddenberry
Ray Bradbury

All of these authors and many more.  This is why Science Fiction should be given more due than it receives.  I clearly understand why the genre sometimes gets the bad rap. It’s because there appears to be more bad SF/F on the market then there is well done literature.  That just means you have to work harder to locate the literature.  If you must start with the classic authors then do so.  Names such as:
Bradbury
Verne
Poe
H.G. Wells
Heinlein
Edgar Rice Burroughs

I believe if you start with the classic authors and get a feel for what SF/F SHOULD be, you’ll be able to separate the wheat from the chaffe.

Don’t let the genre intimidate you.
Don’t believe the genre is just for children and/or teens

We should be reading anything and everything.  That’s how we become a well rounded society.

Until next time…
…Turn the page.
–
Chris

Feel free to comment here on Patch or jump on over to my blog:
Why Science Fiction