Science Fiction Literature

2004-01-23T13:07:00.000-08:00

Science Fiction Literature: Day 13

Today we talked about the story Getting Real. I thought that this story really depicted well the class struggle in our society. It looked at the homeless and how they are in a way alienated from the middle and upper classes. It showed how sometimes we don't view these people as real people and simply the bums of our society. This story showed how these people should be noticed and appreciated and how we should do something to help these people.

2004-01-22T12:39:00.000-08:00

Science Fiction Literature: Day 12

After watching Trekkies today in class, it was hard not to laugh at the life style of these people who have dedicated their lives to Star Trek. However, these people have dedicated their lives to Star Trek because it gives them a sense of belonging. To them, it is a way to escape reality and really enjoy the world of science fiction through Star Trek. It is hard to take these people seriously because it isn't a social norm in our society and these people may be viewed as crazy or eccentric. I found it very interesting that the conventions are still going on years after the Star Trek series. Science fiction can and has changed people's lives, Star Trek is just one example of it.

2004-01-21T12:45:00.000-08:00

Science Fiction Literature: Day 11

I found it interesting talking about The Matrix today in class. When Neo is talking on the phone in the final scene, someone in class said that he was talking to the audience. This is hinting that maybe we are living in a matrix of our own in a sense. There are certain things in our society that give a sense of a control on our lives. Whether it be religion, socialism, or capitalism, we live in a society that is dominated by these things.

2004-01-20T13:08:00.000-08:00

Science Fiction Literature: Day 10

Watching The Matrix today brought up a lot of recurring themes that we have talked about in other SF stories. A dystopian society is shown in The Matrix in both the "real world" and in "the matrix." The real world has been destroyed by AI and technology. The matrix world seems to have a decaying society in which buildings are run down. Computer play a huge role in this movie for they are the way the "real world" people get in and out of the matrix. The matrix itself is run by computer programs that keep the people still plugged into it in a dream world.

Like Neuromancer, there is a dominate woman figure in the story of The Matrix. Trinity, like Molly, is a dominate, strong, and powerful figure. They are both highly skilled killing machines and very independent. Violence is one of the main themes in The Matrix as Neo and Trinity must fight their way past the agent programs.

2004-01-16T12:26:00.000-08:00

Science Fiction Literature: Day 9

Today I had a chance to get into my group to talk about our short story ideas. I suggested writing a story about killer asteroids. The plot would revolve around a man who has dedicated his life to hunting for these asteroids that could potentially destroy mankind. His dedication has hinder his life with his wife and his daughter. One night, he shocking discovers the presence of a killer asteroid on a direct collision course with Earth. However, he realizes that the asteroid to too close for any possible action to work to divert its path. He decides not to tell the world for he doesn't want to start global chaos. Instead, he decides to spend the remaining time he has with his family who he has neglected since starting his career. The next few months are filled with joy for both him and his family. On the day that he has calculated the asteroid would hit, he is sitting on the couch loving his family. A urgent news report comes on saying that a killer asteroid has just missed Earth by a few hundred miles. He is shocked that his projection was wrong and realizes that he was wrong but that he is now happier with his family.

2004-01-15T13:25:00.000-08:00

Science Fiction Literature: Day 8

Talking about race today in class really got me thinking about just how science fiction depicts difference. I have come to realize that science fiction is totally open to any interpretation depending on the reader. With regards to race, i found it interesting that alien abductions can be compared to the times when slaves were abducted from their home and sent to the new world.

2004-01-14T12:12:00.000-08:00

Science Fiction Literature: Day 7

I found it interesting today as we talked about the stort story Boobs. The story showed just how females can be treated in our society and how they are almost alien like in our society. Kelsey felt that her change to a wolf was more acceptable than her change as a woman. Moreover, I compared this story to the Columbine events. Kelsey, just like the boys of Columbine, felt that the only way to solve their problems and their alienation was to kill. I feel that this was the main call of change in the story and the implications on today's society.

2004-01-13T13:21:00.000-08:00

Science Fiction Literature: Day 6

It was interesting today during the discussion about how there is a relationship between the Borg and U.S. foreing policy. In many ways, U.S. policy is like the Borg in the way that we try and make other nations that don't hold our same thoughts and ideas like us.

After watching Star Trek: First Contact, there was a more optimistic outlook on the future than other science fiction literature we have read. We have always looked at technology as a way of destroying human kind. However, in Star Trek, the atomic missle was used to start an era of peace.

2004-01-13T10:26:00.000-08:00

Science Fiction Literature: Day 5

Blade Runner is an example of film noir. First of all, Deckard is a classic example of a film noir character because he is a detective and a loner. He wears a trench coat and has a gun. Another character in a typical film noir movie is the femme fatale. Rachel and Pris have the look and feel of the classic femme fatale. Lighting in this movie is very darm and gloomy and the use of rain is classic of film noir.

2004-01-09T13:27:00.000-08:00

Science Fiction Literature- Day 4

After watching Blade Runner it really suprised me just how slow the movie was. However, for the many aspects of life it depicted, including environmental collapse, terminal decay, film noir, and police state tendences, it didn't need to be all action packed. I'm sure that after further study of them movie I will come to like it a lot better.

2004-01-08T12:55:00.000-08:00

Science Fiction Literature- Day 3

Raymond Bradbury and Judith Merril's short stories really taught me about the very real chance of technology one day destroying mankind. There Will Come Soft Rains depicted a world without humans and a lonesome house full of technology running on its own. The house cleans itself and cooks for its owners even though no one is present anymore. However, a fire begins to consume the house and the house does everything in its power to save itself but is unsuccessful in doing so. This showed me that nature prevails over all technology and that the world would be better without humans.

I have also decided that I would like to do my research Website on the Back to the Future trilogy.

2004-01-07T12:37:00.000-08:00

Science Fiction Class: Day 2

In today's class we discussed the two science fiction articles and the two short strories that we completed for homework. The inclass discussion of the two stories helped me see how they are models for science fiction literature. The article by Lester del Rey attempted to clearly define what it is science fiction really means. The article said that science fiction is largely based upon the asking of a single question: What if...?

We also created a science fiction timeline that points out all the major developments in science fiction since its uprising. We also starting thinking about of web research pages. I am still going to try and focus on the mars rover, however I still might change my topic as the class progresses.

2004-01-06T11:36:00.000-08:00

Science Fiction Literature: Class 1

After learning of the content and description of this class, I am really interested in the theory and concepts behind science fiction in all forms of media. I would possibly like to do my research project on the mars rover that just touched down on the planets surface. I am hoping that this course will help me understand more fully as to the impact of science fiction on our society and how society impacts science fiction. My first assignment will teach me as to the origins of science fiction and what it really is.