"Providing hope is something science fiction should be doing. It sounds arrogant to say it, but if we don't do it, who the hell will? One of the social functions of science fiction is to be visionary, and when science fiction isn't being visionary, it hurts the culture's visionary sense. And when the culture isn't receptive, neither is science fiction. It's a downward spiral."
Absolutely.
You can't go wrong with Spinrad, by the way. "Bug Jack Barron" is easily one of the best SF novels of all time. "Songs from the Stars" is equally unforgettable.
(He really needs a better website, though. Ouch.)
3 comments:
Mac -
"(He really needs a better website, though. Ouch.)"
As the old saying goes however, "red on black, friend of Jack...red on yellow, kill a fellow".
I imagine at least Jack is happy.
Kyle
Armchair,
Hey, I hear you. While I like intelligent SF that inspires and provides reason for hope -- in addition to reason for awe -- I also like caustic, dystopian SF. Depends on my mood!
WMB,
"Initiate Spinrad induction sequence!"
Kyle,
You should offer to make a killer site for him. Seriously.
While I loved Spinrad's novels at the time (and PK Dick and UK LeGuin, and, and PJ Farmer, and O Butler, etc ...) it's also good to remember that they were part of their times; different generations produce and consume different stlyes and themes. "providing hope" is something science fiction did when that was part of its function and purpose. things change. people tend to remain bound up with their moment.
Post a Comment