Sci-Fi vs Fantasy

[GuruGeorge]

I like when you put both together! It take's creativity but it's worth it.

[bobbo19]

Originally Posted by J-WO

Cultures with swords have, historically speaking and without exception, pulverised those with armour-piercing bullets. Everyone knows this.

(I voted SF. Can you tell?)

This made me laugh. 100% agree

[Oskari]

But we're talking about science fiction. Science fiction has just as much imaginative scope as fantasy. If you insist on combining science and science fiction, then it's only fair to couple fantasy with religion. Don't you think?

The reason I think this is because fantasy is a closed system. The nature of magic and those who use it are well-established. Or that's the way it appears to me. So, like religion it really cannot move too far from its source, i.e. mythology. Yes, I can accept that this view is pretty limited (and naive), and I hope some readers of fantasy can point me away from elves and dragons and warlocks.

Science fiction, which, of course, is based, usually, on science doesn't suffer the same limitation, because it can't help but expand at a similar rate to our understanding of our world and our universe. Science fiction has always been the great asker of the question, What if?

Although I have a preference for science fiction, I have enjoyed many a good fantasy novel. From my view, science fiction hasn't quite yet had as good a work of literature as The Lord of the Rings (fantasy). But, again, I may be mistaken - and, anyway, it's so subjective.

Just had another thought. Fantasy is, like religion, more popular than science fiction, like science. Fantasy is all kind of warm and secure, whereas, science fiction can tend to be cold and insecure.

Fantasy is easily understood because, as I said, it is a closed system based on 'Earthly' concerns. The characters and landscape of fantasy is all too familiar at the best of times, which is not a bad thing, of course, especially when the writing is good.

Science fiction is a lot more difficult to understand, mainly because it is such an open system and, usually, based on 'difficult' science. The characters and landscape of science fiction can be as varied as our imaginations (which is not to suggest that fantasy lacks this quality) and it is exciting and frightening because of this.

[thatollie]

In ze wars, no one truly wins.

[J-WO]

Originally Posted by thatollie

In ze wars, no one truly wins.

I don't know; Vera Lynn sold a lot of records.

[Oskari]

Originally Posted by thatollie

In ze wars, no one truly wins.

I agree with thatollie, but then I have idealistic, non-capitalistic and rather shape-shifting atheistic views, which are, btw, all liable to change.

[AnyaKimlin]

I'd like to reference the first post - fantasy because something has given the unicorns gas. It's infiltrated all the spaceships. In fact at the end only unicorns and those with gas masks and no sense of smell survive.

[David B]

Neither.

Being mutually exclusive, I doubt they can see each other.

[Sorceress]

Fantasy for me!

[Michael01]

Originally Posted by Oskari

Although I have a preference for science fiction, I have enjoyed many a good fantasy novel. From my view, science fiction hasn't quite yet had as good a work of literature as The Lord of the Rings (fantasy). But, again, I may be mistaken - and, anyway, it's so subjective.

Hyperion
The Fall of Hyperion
Endymion

by Dan Simmons

Maybe not. But I loved them as much as I did LotR.

I still chose fantasy.

EDIT:

Originally Posted by harrypothead

i think im in love with both equally, if only they had a love child ....

Fantasy is a fickle mistress. But I'm sure there's at least one love child in the mountains of books out there.

[Warren_Paul]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy Modem

Based solely on this image, who do you think will win? What leads you to this conclusion?

hmm, because of Avatar?

[juelz4sure]

Fantasy would win strictly speaking magic is connected to everything, I also think it to be more instantaneous. speak a word and anything can happen where as if you have a gun all that can happen is you shoot something. Love the question though

[Anathem]

Based on that picture, I think Fantasy has the edge... it just seems like flying castles and magic are probably going to beat anything Sci-Fi throws at it

[Lilmizflashythang]

Fantasy would win, it's open for anything to happen. Sci-fi has a problem of usually having to make sense. And science tends to ignore anything that isn't, well, scientific and understandable.

[J-WO]

I cannot believe so many people are voting that a standard fantasy world would defeat a space operatic ftl-capable star power. What is this; bloody KRULL?