The truth is out there in science fiction.

[iniadelphinae]

I recently read sensational's Pop Vultures post about the women of BSG. I've not really watched the show, but I can appreciate her points :)

When I see articles like this one, about a woman who had her dog cloned, it makes me think that people need to pay more attention to sci-fi

Comments

[ayekamn]

I hate it that sci-fi has such a stigma. I know people who use this as a litmus test about what they watch - people who simply can't sit and watch an episode of Buffy because it's too campy.* Everyone I know who watches BSG claims it to be one of, if not the best show on TV. But these people won't even try it because they assume it must be boorish.

For me, sci fi allows for far more flexibility and creativity in their stories and settings, so that they can address issues like you mention in a more fundamental way.

*And they are far too cool to be nerds, right? These are the same people who are all 'OMGWTF LOLZ u play video games!'

[iniadelphinae]

They're just threatened because they know Buffy can kick their ass (and probably should).

I think part of the problem with good sci-fi is that it assumes an intelligent audience. There are, unfortunately, probably a lot of people who are completely oblivious to even the barely concealed views in Star Trek episodes.

Then there are those that can see the message but choose to ignore it because it's sci-fi and looks at ethics somewhat objectively, aka without all the religous/moral garbage.

Near-future sci-fi in particular is important IMO. Cloning (specifically, human cloning) is a modern example of sci-fi that is fast becoming reality, but I remember reading one of Anne McCaffrey's old short stories about in-vitro fertilization and surrogate motherhood....