SciFi Discussion Lobby

[AdmiralAdama]

We've mentioned Arthur C Clarke a couple of times already. I know I've gone on about this before, but for me, this shows the first iPad. From the 1968 movie, 2001: A Space Odyssey, this scene shows a flat piece of glass, wirelessly connected to a computer system capable of data transmission across vast distances, upon which video and (from the book) written data can be displayed. At one point, one of the astronauts moves his pad clearly demonstrating that it is a self contained unit.

Screen capture credited to MGM.
DVD rip by moi.

<img src="http://www.ipadforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=22741"/>

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Proof Kevin, that the future is the past.
AA

"I am putting myself to the fullest possible use, which is all I think that any conscious entity can ever hope to do". HAL 9000 quote from 2001.


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[KevinJS]

Proof Kevin, that the future is the past.
AA

"I am putting myself to the fullest possible use, which is all I think that any conscious entity can ever hope to do."



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I think that quote should be credited to Stanley Kubrick and Arthur C Clarke.

I was interested in scifan's mention of the term "invention fiction"; a term I have rarely heard.

@scifan. Do you define SF as requiring the suspension of at least one scientific truth (for example, the limit imposed by the speed of light), while reserving invention fiction as scientifically plausible, but requiring some new, but theoretically possible, invention to become potential reality?

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[scifan57]

Reading science fiction certainly does require suspension of disbelief. A well written story can be enjoyable though,no matter how speculative the science is.
The origin of the term invention fiction is closely related to the start of the Tom Swift series in 1910.
In a good story, the inventions described do not have to be even remotely possible in order to enjoy the book or story.

 

[KevinJS]

I see. While I certainly have been prepared to suspend belief, I have also maintained a hope that some of what I have read could contain a kernel of truth. "The Songs of Distant Earth" is a case in point. There is nothing in that story that is completely ridiculous. The laws of physics are preserved throughout, leaving the author free to concentrate on his characters and scenarios.

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[Kaykaykay]

I see. While I certainly have been prepared to suspend belief, I have also maintained a hope that some of what I have read could contain a kernel of truth. "The Songs of Distant Earth" is a case in point. There is nothing in that story that is completely ridiculous. The laws of physics are preserved throughout, leaving the author free to concentrate on his characters and scenarios.

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I know what you mean. If I know a scientific fact is violated by the story, it's much harder to buy into it.

Any fiction requires some suspension of disbelief, but some stories violate common sense, which I don't find enjoyable. That's why I don't like horror movies -- usually there are repeated instances devoid of common sense. In those cases, I get annoyed and root for the stupid characters' deaths or more likely don't care whether they live or die, lol.

I don't enjoy fiction unless I find the characters engaging. They don't have to be good (or evil) characters, but they can't be stupid.

 

[AdmiralAdama]

I know what you mean. If I know a scientific fact is violated by the story, it's much harder to buy into it.

Any fiction requires some suspension of disbelief, but some stories violate common sense, which I don't find enjoyable. That's why I don't like horror movies -- usually there are repeated instances devoid of common sense. In those cases, I get annoyed and root for the stupid characters' deaths or more likely don't care whether they live or die, lol.

I don't enjoy fiction unless I find the characters engaging. They don't have to be good (or evil) characters, but they can't be stupid.

So an impossible to destroy human wearing a goalie mask is not your idea of engaging?

AA

 

[AdmiralAdama]

Have you heard about Guillermo del Toro's SciFi / monster pic "Pacific Rim?"
Summary: Giant aliens rise from the sea and humankind must build machines piloted by people to stop them.

I like the casting in this one. Charlie Hunnam, Ron Perlman (both) from "Sons of Anarchy" and Idris Elba from "Thor."

Scrernplay by Travis Beacham.

Planned cinematic release June 2013.


AA

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[Kaykaykay]

So an impossible to destroy human wearing a goalie mask is not your idea of engaging?

AA

Maybe if Jane Austen had written such, it might be, lol.

Maybe that will be the next book trend, following on vampires melded with classics.

 

[AdmiralAdama]

This may be of interest. The Merril Collection is a large store of science fiction / fantasy media administered by the Toronto Public Library.

http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/merril/


I've been sorting through the entries and it's quite stunning. In Ontario, Canada, some of the municipal and regional libraries are networked, enabling them to cross loan
books, DVDs, CDs, etc., to patrons so long as they have a valid library membership and don't owe any fines.

I'm going to apply through the Ottawa Public Library for a loan from this collection in Toronto. Will let you know how it goes.

Does anyone else live in a jurisdiction with this level of collaboration?

AA

 

[scifan57]

This may be of interest. The Merril Collection is a large store of science fiction / fantasy media administered by the Toronto Public Library.

http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/merril/

I've been sorting through the entries and it's quite stunning. In Ontario, Canada, some of the municipal and regional libraries are networked, enabling them to cross loan
books, DVDs, CDs, etc., to patrons so long as they have a valid library membership and don't owe any fines.

I'm going to apply through the Ottawa Public Library for a loan from this collection in Toronto. Will let you know how it goes.

Does anyone else live in a jurisdiction with this level of collaboration?

AA

I've actually visited the branch library where this collection is housed. When I was in Toronto for the World Science Fiction Convention in 2003 I got to tour the stacks which are not normally open to the public. The collection contains many old and rare works of science fiction. There is a large collection of pulp magazines,newspaper comic strips,manuscripts,etc..
The collection is non-circulating but there is an excellent reading room. The collection is housed in a specially built climate controlled area.
http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/merril/

http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?Entt=RDMLIB137&R=LIB137

 

[AdmiralAdama]

I've actually visited the branch library where this collection is housed. When I was in Toronto for the World Science Fiction Convention in 2003 I got to tour the stacks which are not normally open to the public. The collection contains many old and rare works of science fiction. There is a large collection of pulp magazines,newspaper comic strips,manuscripts,etc..
The collection is non-circulating but there is an excellent reading room. The collection is housed in a specially built climate controlled area.
http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/merril/

http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?Entt=RDMLIB137&R=LIB137

You are fortunate. I wasn't aware it was non circulating. I'm on vacation next week. Toronto is a 5 hour drive from where I sm. May have to spring for a tank of gas.

AA

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[KevinJS]

Peace will come when mankind finds something as exciting as warfare. Arthur C Clarke said that. Maybe I should have put in the SF thread.

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You still can.

AA

OK, then. I will. One of the reasons 2001 has remained my all time favorite book is that it's concepts were years ahead of it's time, and remain so.

The idea of working together for the good of all mankind was a brave step in 1968 as the Cold War lumbered on, and we still have to realize Arthur's dreams.

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[Kaykaykay]

Peace will come when mankind finds something as exciting as warfare. Arthur C Clarke said that. Maybe I should have put in the SF thread. ...

OK, then. I will. One of the reasons 2001 has remained my all time favorite book is that it's concepts were years ahead of it's time, and remain so.

The idea of working together for the good of all mankind was a brave step in 1968 as the Cold War lumbered on, and we still have to realize Arthur's dreams.

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Do you agree that wars are fought for excitement? I think that might be true of some naive untried soldiers or wannabes, but I would hope that anyone with maturity and sense wouldn't look to the bloodshed and destruction of war for thrills. And I'd think that anyone who'd lived through war would never want to see it again. Even hearing about war from my parents and grandparents, I learned how dehumanizing warfare can be, even for the victors. I think wars are fought for power or presumed self-preservation, more so than excitement.

 

[KevinJS]

Do you agree that wars are fought for excitement? I think that might be true of some naive untried soldiers or wannabes, but I would hope that anyone with maturity and sense wouldn't look to the bloodshed and destruction of war for thrills. And I'd think that anyone who'd lived through war would never want to see it again. Even hearing about war from my parents and grandparents, I learned how dehumanizing warfare can be, even for the victors. I think wars are fought for power or presumed self-preservation, more so than excitement.

For myself, no. I don't find warfare exciting at all, and hope that we can one day learn to live without conflict.

I found the quote from the book. Seems it was not quite so hopeful as I remembered it.

[quote="Arthur C Clarke]

Any man who had ever worked in a hardened missile site would have felt at home in Clavius. Here on the Moon were the same arts and hardware of underground living, and of protection against a hostile environment; but here they had been turned to the purposes of peace. After ten thousand years, man had at last found something as exciting as war.
Unfortunately, not all nations had yet realized that fact.[/quote]

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[Kaykaykay]

For myself, no. I don't find warfare exciting at all, and hope that we can one day learn to live without conflict.

I found the quote from the book. Seems it was not quite so hopeful as I remembered it.



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Disheartening quote, yes.

I think we'll always have conflict, simply because individuals and countries will continue to have differences and power will always be sought. Conflict can take many forms, though. I hope that bloodshed and destruction will eventually disappear, but I'm not optimistic about that. We (humankind) are still so primitive.