This week I’m on the SF Signal podcast talking about whether or not optimism is SF is dead. It’s an idea that’s been discussed before ad nauseum, but seems relevant again in recent days as a result of Paul Kincaid’s article in the Los Angeles Review of Books titled, “The Widening Gyre”. I’m joined on the podcast by Stina Leicht, Jamie Todd Rubin, Derek Johnson, Jaym Gates, and estimable Patrick Hester.
The discussion started with an idea that optimism in SF meant, generally, happy stories or stories set in a utopia. I took the notion of optimism slightly different, looking instead the optimism in the development of human capability (i.e. – interstellar travel, posthuman, et. al.). Unfortunately, with an hour and six panelists, we only started the conversation. But, hopefully it gets people thinking.
At the end of the podcast I mention four articles worth checking out on this subject.
- Paul Kincaid’s “The Widening Gyre“
- Jonathan McCalmont’s “Cowardice, Laziness and Irony: How Science Fiction Lost the Future“
- Matthew Hilliard’s “No More Falconer: Science Fiction’s Past and Present“
- Justin Landon’s “Who knew a failing future could be so exhausting?”
I’d also recommend the same Paul Kincaid’s interview with Nerds of a Feather “INTERVIEW: Paul Kincaid–Is SF ‘Exhausted?’“
Justin
Justin Landon is the Overlord of Staffer's Book Review. When he's not writing things of dubious value to the world, he's at the gym or being a dad. You can follow him on a multitude of social media, which is strongly suggested lest you miss out on vital information that could someday save your life.
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