Why do Science fiction and Fantasy have to be mutually exclusive
- Thread starter dekkarax
- Start date
Recommended Videos
Lucus got ret-conned with the midiclhoirans thingDrakmeire said:
one of the problems is that in such mergers, one takes a backseat to the other, Dune is sci-fi, the predictions are kinda quantum-string-theory-ish to me... and in Star-Wars and Fowl tech is the key componant, with magic ocassionally playing a key part (jedi stuff, insta-healing ect.
They figh for the same reasons Steam punk and magic fight, for the same reasons Microsoft fan boys fight Sony fan boys. They could work together should they take the time to understand each other, but as fantasy seems to lean twords the unkown in the way of power and how things work while sci-fi tends to like to explain how things work...there are issues. These examples are not always true but they do tend to create conflict in what I have seen.
The few I have seen that have tried the mix in book form were like a mix between lord of the rings and a porno. You knew the plot, you got the action, but it felt fake and falsely enlarged.
I suppose it all comes down to personal taste and balance?
The few I have seen that have tried the mix in book form were like a mix between lord of the rings and a porno. You knew the plot, you got the action, but it felt fake and falsely enlarged.
I suppose it all comes down to personal taste and balance?
I think a fantasy world with some technological elements is a good compromise (think steampunk). I think a lot of why they are exclusive is because Fantasy typically revolves around very nature-friendly areas, there are lots of forests, small vilages, that sort of thing, whereas sci-fi is often very industrialized-looking.
Well, fantasy is usually the addition of Magic making stuff happen,
Sci-Fi is usually technology making stuff happen.
SO! I propose, TECHNOLOGY POWERED BY MAGIC!
Sci-Fi is usually technology making stuff happen.
SO! I propose, TECHNOLOGY POWERED BY MAGIC!
Fantasy (generally speaking) is mostly set in the past, such as swords and such wear as sci-fi is about tech beyond out own like space ships and lasers. The two seem to clash in that regard.
They aren't mutually exclusive. Look up Steampunk and Shadowrun, for two easy answers. Both include science fiction and fantasy. So does Warhammer, for that matter. And the old AD&D setting Spelljammer. And Planescape. Shit, I could go on for hours about the constant mix-matching of sci-fi and fantasy.
The force is a mystic energy field that surrounds us all.AjimboB said:
The force is a mystic energy field that surrounds us all which one can utilize if they have bacterium X.
I don't know why everyone is so angry about them.
I like fantasy & hate sci-fi, but I DO like Sci-Fantasy.
I also do not like chocolate all up in my peanutbetter or stuffing all up in my oreos, but damned if I don't eat them anyway....
I also do not like chocolate all up in my peanutbetter or stuffing all up in my oreos, but damned if I don't eat them anyway....
Hmm the two can, and have been combined but it depends on if you are talking about Art direction or Storyline. The two are uncommonly (but by no means rarely) combined in Art direction but in storyline one usually is dominate over the other.
Classically speaking, Science fiction stories and Fantasy stories operate on different principles. In science fiction the stories are usually centered around one or more of the following:
1. The impact of technology on people/society/the human condition and vice versa.
2. How the use of logic, wit, and planning can overcome problems facing humanity. Asimov loved this one.
3. Using exotic locations and/or aliens as 'the other' to discuss and explore real world situations in a way that is both apparent on closer inspection but distanced enough that it doesn't make the reader feel uncomfortable (i.e. using aliens to discuss racial/gender/political issues).
Fantasy, however, is more about escapism, willpower, faith and the concept of 'goodness'. This is not to say that Science Fiction has no elements of these things, they are just more subdued and often defer to the above points. In fantasy its more about how the problems of the world can be solved though toughing things out and believing that something better is out there. However, it can also frequently overlap with #3 on my science fiction list, except through use of different races (like elves and goblins) rather than aliens.
Yet, the different races in fantasy usually embody different aspects of humanity whereas aliens usually represent subgroups of humanity or serve as a mirror to how humanity deals with 'the other'. In an example of the second definition, they (the aliens) are bizarre and the real meaning of the story wouldn't that they are weird, it would be about how humans deal with this weirdness and what it says about us.
The main issue in merging the two genres within a single storyline lies in the divide in how fantasy and science fiction view problems. To fantasy, problems are typically not entirely solvable by humanity. WE cannot overcome our problems through sheer technology nor though careful planning, that there is an uncontrollable element to life. This is why fantasy classically has some magic to it, its something that is unreal and requires faith, and willpower to use. Science Fiction typically sees its problems as being both knowable and solvable. Here it is technology that solves our problems, failing that (or if technology is the culprit) then it is logic and careful planning that saves the day. While science fiction does have an element of "just take our word that this tech works" it?s more important to realize that technology in itself is a very human thing to create, posses and command, whereas magic is usually viewed as something that nature provides and it?s just on loan to humanity.
Yup.
Classically speaking, Science fiction stories and Fantasy stories operate on different principles. In science fiction the stories are usually centered around one or more of the following:
1. The impact of technology on people/society/the human condition and vice versa.
2. How the use of logic, wit, and planning can overcome problems facing humanity. Asimov loved this one.
3. Using exotic locations and/or aliens as 'the other' to discuss and explore real world situations in a way that is both apparent on closer inspection but distanced enough that it doesn't make the reader feel uncomfortable (i.e. using aliens to discuss racial/gender/political issues).
Fantasy, however, is more about escapism, willpower, faith and the concept of 'goodness'. This is not to say that Science Fiction has no elements of these things, they are just more subdued and often defer to the above points. In fantasy its more about how the problems of the world can be solved though toughing things out and believing that something better is out there. However, it can also frequently overlap with #3 on my science fiction list, except through use of different races (like elves and goblins) rather than aliens.
Yet, the different races in fantasy usually embody different aspects of humanity whereas aliens usually represent subgroups of humanity or serve as a mirror to how humanity deals with 'the other'. In an example of the second definition, they (the aliens) are bizarre and the real meaning of the story wouldn't that they are weird, it would be about how humans deal with this weirdness and what it says about us.
The main issue in merging the two genres within a single storyline lies in the divide in how fantasy and science fiction view problems. To fantasy, problems are typically not entirely solvable by humanity. WE cannot overcome our problems through sheer technology nor though careful planning, that there is an uncontrollable element to life. This is why fantasy classically has some magic to it, its something that is unreal and requires faith, and willpower to use. Science Fiction typically sees its problems as being both knowable and solvable. Here it is technology that solves our problems, failing that (or if technology is the culprit) then it is logic and careful planning that saves the day. While science fiction does have an element of "just take our word that this tech works" it?s more important to realize that technology in itself is a very human thing to create, posses and command, whereas magic is usually viewed as something that nature provides and it?s just on loan to humanity.
Yup.
They aren't mutually exclusive: see Warhammer 40K, Dune or Star Wars. They often don't go together because magic doesn't fit in most sci-fi universes, and vice versa, but they can merge into "science fantasy".