Charles Stross on Sci Fi and Fantasy

[cema]

Loosely speaking, if Science Fiction is often a literature of disruption (in which change is, if not good, at least embraced), Fantasy is frequently a literature of consolation: a warm feather-bed of social conservativism disguised as nostalgic escapism, a longing for feudal certainties.

Sounds about right.

P.S. He is the author of Singularity Sky.

Comments

[email-animal.livejournal.com]

Not bad. Fantasy that takes itself too seriously is often like that.

[cema.livejournal.com]

On the other hand, "serious" sci fi becomes either philosophical gobbledygook a la Lem, or paranoid delusions a la Dick. Everything is good in moderation; the question is, as always, who is going to be the moderator.

[email-animal.livejournal.com]

Read some Connie Willis.

[cema.livejournal.com]

OK. :-)