Good examples of Bad Futures? And ...

[Bryan]

Bad examples of Good Futures?

This subject came up about dystopias, and who wrote well enough to convince us that these dystopias were plausible but terrible to live within, without making us wish we could be a part of them.

(Similar to the dilemma Truffaut identified: That it was impossible to make an anti-war film, because films tend to make war look exciting...)

And of course the other question is: Have there been any good future societies that have been depicted that should have been compelling but were undermined by one factor or another in the writing or delivery?

[Wealhtheow]

The only one that springs to mind is Elgin's Earthsong, which posits that by freeing themselves from the need to eat through song, women can finally force equality upon humankind. Given that the first book in the trilogy, Native Tongue is wildly excellent, it's odd that the last book is so unbelievably silly. All the men are foolish monsters; all the women are saints. It's very frustrating!

[Bryan]

That sounds like it would be a pretty good candidate. :)