The Anti-Sci-Fi (the genre) Mindset

KoshN · Dec 26, 2001

Yesterday, when over at my cousin's, we were about to watch some DVDs, and I brought a selection to watch:

One Night at McCool's
The Terminator (Special Edition)
The Wicker Man
Ghosts of Mars (Special Edition)
See Spot Run
Valentine

and

The Taylor of Panama (Special Edition).

So, I read the titles and descriptions to the group, trying to find something that everybody wanted to watch.

Well, one of them chimed in that she "didn't want to watch any of that Sci-Fi stuff." So, I had to ask "Why?" What did she have against Sci-Fi?

Her Answer: "It's not real. I hate stuff that's not real. We're never going to do stuff like that."

So I said, what do you mean, it's not real. Aren't we exploring space now? Haven't we landed probes on Mars, and some of the other planets?

Her response: "Yeah, but we shouldn't be doing that. It's all a waste of money. We should be spending all that money down here, where it will do some good."

FYI, she's in healthcare.

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KoshN
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Vorlon Empire

"To Live and Die in Starlight"
pilot movie for "Babylon 5 - The Legend of the Rangers"
January 19, 2002 at 9PM & 11PM EST, January 20, 2002 at 5PM on The Sci-Fi Channel (US). http://www.scifi.com/b5rangers/

[This message has been edited by KoshN (edited December 26, 2001).]

MartinRoth · Dec 27, 2001

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by KoshN:
Her response: "Yeah, but we shouldn't be doing that. It's all a waste of money. We should be spending all that money down here, where it will do some good."

FYI, she's in healthcare.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I'm sure somebody can point to a good reference source where you can get a list of all of the medical and pharmecutical advances that can be directly tied to the space program.

(Probably someone with a bit more time to look for it than I have at the moment...)

Whether or not that'd help, I have no idea. The space program is one of those things that people tend to discount regardless of any facts. Too geeky for them, I guess...

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-- Marty

Jade Jaguar · Dec 27, 2001

As the saying goes, there are none so blind as those who will not see. I hope that's MENTAL health care!

The Wicker Man? On DVD? Really? WOW!, would I like to get it! Is it uncut? Does it have the famous temptation dance?

------------------
You're speaking treason! Olivia De Havilland as Maid Marian
Fluently! Errol Flynn as Robin Hood
You're talking treason! Olivia De Havilland as Arabella Bishop
I trust I'm not obscure. Errol Flynn as Dr. Peter Blood

Pallindromes of the month: Snug was I, ere I saw guns.
Doom an evil deed, liven a mood.

Jade Jaguar · Dec 27, 2001

Not real? does she just watch documentaries? Most of TV and the movies IS unreal, and that's why people watch it.

------------------
You're speaking treason! Olivia De Havilland as Maid Marian
Fluently! Errol Flynn as Robin Hood
You're talking treason! Olivia De Havilland as Arabella Bishop
I trust I'm not obscure. Errol Flynn as Dr. Peter Blood

Pallindromes of the month: Snug was I, ere I saw guns.
Doom an evil deed, liven a mood.

KoshN · Dec 27, 2001

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by MartinRoth:
Whether or not that'd help, I have no idea. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I really doubt it. Both my cousins can be incredibly stubborn and opinionated, and won't change their minds even if God told them they were wrong, and that they should reconsider.

It just isn't worth the grief.

------------------
KoshN
-------------
Vorlon Empire

"To Live and Die in Starlight"
pilot movie for "Babylon 5 - The Legend of the Rangers"
January 19, 2002 at 9PM & 11PM EST, January 20, 2002 at 5PM on The Sci-Fi Channel (US).
http://www.scifi.com/b5rangers/

KoshN · Dec 27, 2001

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Jade Jaguar:
As the saying goes, there are none so blind as those who will not see. I hope that's MENTAL health care!
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Physical rehab.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Jade Jaguar:
The Wicker Man? On DVD? Really? WOW!, would I like to get it! Is it uncut? Does it have the famous temptation dance?
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Don't know. Didn't get to watch it yet.
It's 88 minutes, has lots of extras, and lists Dolby Digital/Dolby Surround 5.1 on the case.

We watched See Spot Run, and The Tailor of Panama.

------------------
KoshN
-------------
Vorlon Empire

"To Live and Die in Starlight"
pilot movie for "Babylon 5 - The Legend of the Rangers"
January 19, 2002 at 9PM & 11PM EST, January 20, 2002 at 5PM on The Sci-Fi Channel (US).
http://www.scifi.com/b5rangers/

KoshN · Dec 27, 2001

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Jade Jaguar:
Not real? does she just watch documentaries? Most of TV and the movies IS unreal, and that's why people watch it.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

No, lawyer shows, hospital shows, cop shows are OK because "that could happen."

I was just trying to understand the mindset. Her comments just sort of came in from left field and smacked me in the head. Her views on Sci-Fi are incomprehensible to me.

------------------
KoshN
-------------
Vorlon Empire

"To Live and Die in Starlight"
pilot movie for "Babylon 5 - The Legend of the Rangers"
January 19, 2002 at 9PM & 11PM EST, January 20, 2002 at 5PM on The Sci-Fi Channel (US).
http://www.scifi.com/b5rangers/

Jade Jaguar · Dec 27, 2001

The original running time is 102m, so unless they made a mistake in the liner notes, it's and edited version.

Check to see Brit Ekland's temptation of Sgt. Howie. I'd also like to see the Tailor of Panama.

------------------
You're speaking treason! Olivia De Havilland as Maid Marian
Fluently! Errol Flynn as Robin Hood
You're talking treason! Olivia De Havilland as Arabella Bishop
I trust I'm not obscure. Errol Flynn as Dr. Peter Blood

Pallindromes of the month: Snug was I, ere I saw guns.
Doom an evil deed, liven a mood.

[This message has been edited by Jade Jaguar (edited December 26, 2001).]

Ninja_Squirrel · Dec 27, 2001

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>
One Night at McCool's
The Terminator (Special Edition)
The Wicker Man
Ghosts of Mars (Special Edition)
See Spot Run
Valentine <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Uh, Ghosts of Mars *Special Edition*???

Does the Special Edition have better writing, better acting, and better special effects than the original version?

Anyway, I know what you mean. One of my pet peeves in college was when I'd be watching Star Trek or Babylon 5, and people (especially girls) would come in my room and look at the actors wearing make-up and prosthetics for an alien look and ask, "What's wrong with their heads?" Some people just live under rocks where there is no sci-fi.

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An Old Egyptian Blessing: May God stand between you and harm in all the empty places that you must walk.

Thoughts & prayers to soldiers fighting overseas and to their families.

KoshN · Dec 27, 2001

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Jade Jaguar:

The original running time is 102m, so unless they made a mistake in the liner notes, it's and edited version.

Check to see Brit Ekland's temptation of Sgt. Howie. I'd also like to see the Tailor of Panama.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Well, let's see, I could watch the original version I have on Super-Beta, which is probably uncut, but is 4:3, or I could watch the 88 minute Widescreen version on DVD.

Why, why, why do they do this to me?

------------------
KoshN
-------------
Vorlon Empire

"To Live and Die in Starlight"
pilot movie for "Babylon 5 - The Legend of the Rangers"
January 19, 2002 at 9PM & 11PM EST, January 20, 2002 at 5PM on The Sci-Fi Channel (US).
http://www.scifi.com/b5rangers/

Jomar · Dec 27, 2001

I think you have to get interested in scifi literature when you are in your teens to be a scifi fan. At that age your imagination still runs free and you can imagine almost anything being possible.

I have interested older people in scifi by getting them to read certain books. Arthur C.Clarke's books are an easy read and most of them have a strong scientific basis. If you haven't got that kind of background it is difficult to accept the sort of aliens we see on tv and in the movies. You can't get the same background information from pictures that you get reading a book.

One of the reasons I like a board like this one is that I am discussing scifi with my peers.

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I always seem to be diagonally parked in a parallel universe.

KoshN · Dec 27, 2001

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Jomar:
I think you have to get interested in scifi literature when you are in your teens to be a scifi fan. At that age your imagination still runs free and you can imagine almost anything being possible.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I guess if you don't get exposed to it by then, your mind rusts shut, like a steel trap. Then, it's hard to get those hinges working again.

Well, that might explain some things. I got into Trek (TOS) when I was 9 (back in 1966), and she's at least 10 years older than me.

------------------
KoshN
-------------
Vorlon Empire

"To Live and Die in Starlight"
pilot movie for "Babylon 5 - The Legend of the Rangers"
January 19, 2002 at 9PM & 11PM EST, January 20, 2002 at 5PM on The Sci-Fi Channel (US).
http://www.scifi.com/b5rangers/

B5_Obsessed · Dec 27, 2001

Glad to see they went with the more important drama (see TNT) of "See Spot Run".

------------------
"Draal gave Zathras list of things not to say.
This was one. No.... *tsk tsk*
No. Not good.
Not supposed to mention... "one", or... THE one.
Hmmmm.
You never heard that."

KoshN · Dec 27, 2001

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by B5_Obsessed:
Glad to see they went with the more important drama (see TNT) of "See Spot Run".
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I actually liked parts of that. Sure, it's silly, but what the heck.

------------------
KoshN
-------------
Vorlon Empire

"To Live and Die in Starlight"
pilot movie for "Babylon 5 - The Legend of the Rangers"
January 19, 2002 at 9PM & 11PM EST, January 20, 2002 at 5PM on The Sci-Fi Channel (US).
http://www.scifi.com/b5rangers/

GKarsEye · Dec 27, 2001

I think that the vast majority of romantic movies are more unrealistic than all the Terminators and Star Treks put together, but there's a huge audience for that.

Some genres and styles just don't appeal to people. Heck, I don't even like the vast majority of sci-fi. I like a few Westerns, especially Clint Eastwood, and all my friends think I'm crazy. I also have learned the hard way not to watch Clint Eastwood movies with girlfriends.

Yeah, some people don't see the need for space research. Some people also don't see the need for quantum physics and other types of scientific study. They think that research is only useful when geared toward a specific purpose. They fail to realise that science is done for the purpose of accumulating knowledge. Then, you can use it when you need to use it. Knowledge for its own sake is never a bad thing.

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"You do not make history. You can only hope to survive it."

Shaal Mayan · Dec 27, 2001

People will either like science fiction movies or tv shows or they won't everyone is wntitled to their own opinion just as I personally don't care much for western movies .

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channe · Dec 27, 2001

And soap operas are real? Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion? Half the chick-flicks?

I love science fiction. I love it not because it's an escape (it can be, yeah), but because it thrives and relies on the world of imagination - without which, we would not be human.

And who says we're never going to be doing those things? If we didn't, if we weren't going there, why would we be imagining it? Dreaming it up? We humans have obsessions with attempting to make dreams into reality, whether you're talking about Bill Gates or Frankenstein.

Space exploration is massively expensive, yes, but it's something we have to do. The questions posed by space, by the universe, by astronomy, are far too important to just let slide. We have questions to answer here on this planet, yes - but we also have an obligation to answer the questions posed by quantum physics, astronomy, hell, even rocket science.

Besides. We're slowly killing this planet. We're slowly killing each other. Something is going to happen, and if we kill ourselves, everything that we were goes with us. And there'll be no one left to sing at our funeral.

The human race could easily annihilate itself. God. We don't think it, in our fairly safe society, but - it could have happened in the fifties, and now, look at how much technology has advanced. And it doesn't have to be nuclear weaponry, either.

Science fiction is not fluff. It's important. I'd even argue that it's NECESSARY.

Carl Sagan says it eight thousand times better than I ever could. Read him.

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The writer's life is not meant to be a happy one. We all accept that going in. -JMS

[This message has been edited by channe (edited December 27, 2001).]

Kribu · Dec 27, 2001

I agree with Shaal Mayan in principle... people need to make up their own minds, and not everyone can or even should like the same things.

However, I came to the conclusion that I don't really care for westerns or hospital dramas after watching - or trying to watch - several of them, to give the genre the benefit of the doubt.

I just don't get people who refuse to even try and bluntly declare they're not interested...

They won't even know what exactly they're missing out on!

As for so many people disliking or dismissing scifi... eh, I suppose, as has been said above, those people must have missed out on the magic as kids. What could be more wonderful than stuff that's made of dreams?

Being - for now - unrealistic is part of the magic of scifi, and fantasy - without dreaming, without wondering of what could be, can there ever be progress? Life would be so boring if it wasn't for dreams!!

Alright, that was the idealist in me speaking again...

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"Isn't the universe an amazing place? I wouldn't live anywhere else." - G'Kar, B5: Rangers
Kribu's Lounge | kribu@ranger.b5lr.com

KoshN · Dec 27, 2001

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by GKarsEye:
Some genres and styles just don't appeal to people.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Similarly, you'd have to pay me to go watch a musical (theatrical release or live theater). I watched the Buffy musical and thought that was A-OK, but that was because it was Buffy.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by GKarsEye:
I also have learned the hard way not to watch Clint Eastwood movies with girlfriends.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Oh yeah? Why? Bad response?

------------------
KoshN
-------------
Vorlon Empire

"To Live and Die in Starlight"
pilot movie for "Babylon 5 - The Legend of the Rangers"
January 19, 2002 at 9PM & 11PM EST, January 20, 2002 at 5PM on The Sci-Fi Channel (US).
http://www.scifi.com/b5rangers/

Jade Jaguar · Dec 27, 2001

I can see GE, watching a Dirty Harry film with a date, then turning to her and saying 'Make my night'

Films are films. Some are good, some are bad, in all genres. We should all have an open mind. Kribu, you say you don't like westerns, and as a genre, I would agree, but check out The Oxbow Incident, The Treasure of Sierra Madre, and Pursued. I'd bet you like at least one of them. I say I don't like musicals too, but I love the Marx Brothers, and their films are musicals, and The Ruling Class with Peter O'Toole is a musical, but I bet you'd like it, KoshN. Hospital dramas is a bit harder, but check out The Hospital, starring George C Scott and Diana Rigg, serious, and very funny at the same time. As Charlie Chan says, "Mind like parachute. Only function when open." There's a lot of bad scifi out there too. Fortunately for me, I saw most of it when I was a kid and could enjoy it. So the occassional great scifi is a rare treat.

KoshN, it is that lack of an open mind that I jokingly refered to as a 'mental problem' of your cousin's.

------------------
You're speaking treason! Olivia De Havilland as Maid Marian
Fluently! Errol Flynn as Robin Hood
You're talking treason! Olivia De Havilland as Arabella Bishop
I trust I'm not obscure. Errol Flynn as Dr. Peter Blood

Pallindromes of the month: Snug was I, ere I saw guns.
Doom an evil deed, liven a mood.

The Anti-Sci-Fi (the genre) Mindset

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