S&S vs. SF in BotNS

Dan'l Danehy-Oakes · 22 Dec 2011, 17:30 · from 2011-December.txt.gz

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From: danldo at gmail.com (Dan'l Danehy-Oakes)
Date: Thu, 22 Dec 2011 09:30:41 -0800
Subject: (urth) S&S vs. SF in BotNS
In-Reply-To: <SNT123-W188091270D9F984D184E75CFAA0 at phx.gbl>
References: <SNT123-W188091270D9F984D184E75CFAA0 at phx.gbl>
Message-ID: <CAJ8=rtiiF1rc9--SXN88=i1JL-W4sK+XGexECUExDgifFr50xg at mail.gmail.com>

Lee Berman wrote:

> Thus I think the debates about the "real science" behind alzabo and inhumi memory/personality
> sharing are moot. What we are supposed to pick up on is the cannibalism/eucharistic aspects;
> the magic/spirituality of it.

Bingbingbingbingbing! That is _exactly_ what I am getting at. Thank you.

> I think for Gerry, science=real and magic/spirituality=fake, and
> he applies this personal world-view principle to the works of Wolfe (where they may not belong).

Well, except in that "science=real" allows for imaginary science like,
well, hyperdrives and psionics. Perhaps, more nuanced, and I do not
mean to speak for Gerry, but here's what I _think_ he might say:
Science involves a realistic _process_, and magic/spirituality do not;
thus, brushing hyperdrives and psionics with the brush of that process
imbues them, at least for the duration of a story, with a certain
plausibility.

Gerry, please chime in and speak for yourself ;)

-- 
Dan'l Danehy-Oakes

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