T.R. Brown's Blog: Reflections author blog, page 3

Tempered Fiction: How do you differentiate hard and soft science fiction?

For those not familiar with the sci-fi genre the distinctions between hard science fiction vs soft or how the fans distinguish both of them from science fantasy is probably confusing. The fact is that there are no hard rules for the distinction. From hard science fiction to science fantasy is really more a continuous spectrum than a set of rigid categories. So what determines where on that spectrum an individual work falls? Is it in the eye of the beholder? read the rest @
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What Kinds of Fantasy are there?

Although it is fairly easy to define fantasy as a genre that examines what if myths and legends were true, that definition does not capture the scope or variety of the genre. From the halls of kings to underground realms, to the dankest gutters; from alternate realities, to the shadowed corners of our own minds, fantasy goes everywhere. Many stories will fit multiple categories on the following list, and it may not be all inclusive, but it does give some idea of the scope of the genre.
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Uplift: What is it and why would we do it?

The term Uplift was first coined by author David Brin to describe the process of genetically manipulating another species to grant them human level intelligence. Although Brinn coined the term it is based on ideas that go at least as far back as the Island of Doctor Moreau. The idea of creating another intelligent species is intriguing. Considering how poor a job we do at sharing our world with other members of our own species though, one must wonder why anyone would do it?
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What is Fantasy?

Fantasy fiction, the term brings to mind images of armored knights, terrifying dragons, mighty sorcerers and wise elves. What separates the genre from fairy-tales and mythology? Is it merely the fact that fantasy was written by identifiable contemporary authors while fairy-tales and myth are so old that the original author is often unknown? What then of witches and ghosts that appear in Shakespeare? If the Bard is sufficiently old to escape classifying as fantasy, is Dickens?
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Why are Superheroes so Popular?

Superman, Iron-Man, Wolverine. Our culture seems to have an endless appetite for superheroes. Commonly they are dismissed as purely escapist juvenile literature but is that all they are? Is their more to the love of these characters than adolescent power fantasies of the fans? How is it that so many of these characters have endured so many revisions and retellings over the decades? Why are some of them required to adhere to a black and white moral code but others allowed to exist in shades of gray?
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The Moon is a Harsh Mistress: Adventure, Social Commentary or Revolutionary Handbook

Robert A. Heinlein often wrote on several levels. Social commentary and science were often presented side by side with adventure. The Moon is a Harsh Mistress was no exception. Published in serialized format in 1965 and as a novel in 1966, just a few years before the Apollo moon landings, “Mistress” holds up fairly well under subsequent scientific advances and discoveries. Although astronauts didn't find enough evidence of water on the moon to support an agricultural colony as depicted in the book and the overpopulation fears are a bit dated the bulk of the story still holds up today.
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Can Cloning Humans be Ethical?

Cloning, the process of producing genetically identical individuals has been a subject of scientific research for decades. It's been a focus of interest and misinformation in science fiction for almost as long. So what is a clone? Can humans be cloned? Should we be?
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Book vs Movie: Enders Game

Adapting any book into a film is a challenging prospect. The screenwriters must decide which parts of the story to keep, which can be discarded and what must be altered to fit the new medium. When the book in question follows a gifted child from the age of six to early adulthood it's especially difficult. When the book in question is also highly introspective it compounds the problem further. With those obstacles it's amazing that the film adaptation of Enders Game was as faithful as it was.
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Is Living off Earth Possible?

One of the most common ideas in science fiction is of humans colonizing other worlds or living in space habitats. Some depict it as a grand adventure exploring a new frontier. Others show it as a way to relieve population pressure here on Earth. To a few it's a way for humanity to escape the damage we are inflicting on our environment. Real world advocates of the concept tout it as the only way for our species to avoid the next extinction level natural disaster here on Earth. How realistic are these strange new worlds? Can humanity adapt to survive in these environments or will the alien hazards keep us confined to our world.
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How alien might real aliens be

Encounters with alien life are a staple of science fiction. Movies and TV are full of humans and aliens talking, fighting or relating in even more intimate ways. But how realistic is it? Laying aside the substantial question of whether or not we are alone in the universe. What kind of aliens might be out there if we aren't? In live action film, presentation of an alien requires something that can respond to direction.
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