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This proposal has been expanded to include fantasy.

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Science Fiction & Fantasy

Launched Q&A site for people addicted to science fiction and fantasy, be it in the form of books, tv series, or movies.

Announcements

2  
This says it all: abstrusegoose.com/254 – Massimo Jun 10 '10 at 7:48
2  
@ash, no, sci fi is not fantasy... although ppl that like one almost always like the other – juanformoso Jun 14 '10 at 13:48
3  
@Mark: The Star Trek/Star Wars proposals don't seem to have much traction (at least not yet). I don't think that Sci-Fi is too big; rather, I think that the title-specific proposals are too narrow. Even if they made it past commitment (and they're not even halfway to commitment), there's only so much ground you can cover, and I don't think those would survive as real sites. This one might, if the SE team considers it "serious" enough to allow it to go beta. – Aaronaught Jul 7 '10 at 14:10
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78 Example Questions (9 closed)

active newest votes
up vote 1 down vote
Which authors or books should be included in the Millennium/Gollancz SF Masterworks series? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SF_Masterworks
added by Shevek Jun 30 '10 at 12:35
link
up vote 1 down vote
What are the odds that aliens would look like us? [closed]
added by Gordon Gustafson Jul 4 '10 at 0:32
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closed as off topic by lavonardo, WikiSpeedia hang-around, random, timdisney, Kyra Jul 8 '10 at 16:08

This question does not relate to the topic of the proposal.
It was closed as part of an automated migration of off-topic to close votes on September 29, 2011.

2  
This isn't a question with an answer. If you could work the Fermi paradox or Drake Equation into the question, it probably would have an answer. What are the odds that unicorns like the same food as horses? – MatthewMartin Jul 4 '10 at 14:14
up vote 1 down vote
I'm going to my first science fiction convention. What should I expect?
added by Elizabeth Schechter Jul 4 '10 at 1:28
link
up vote 1 down vote
What are some good sci-fi treatments of post-scarcity societies?
added by forefinger Jul 7 '10 at 5:30
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up vote 1 down vote
I love Doctor Who. What are some similar television shows or books so I can get my fix between episodes?
added by Kyra Jul 7 '10 at 17:04
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up vote 0 down vote
How much money did the first Star Wars movie cost? And how much did it make? [closed]
added by sth Jun 8 '10 at 0:34
link

closed as off topic by alexanderpas, Kyle Cronin, DonnyD, Ash G, Jamie Banks Jun 27 '10 at 22:01

This question does not relate to the topic of the proposal.
It was closed as part of an automated migration of off-topic to close votes on September 29, 2011.

up vote 0 down vote
Who would win in an all-out war: the Borg or the Daleks? [closed]
added by Aaronaught Jun 18 '10 at 0:44
link

closed as off topic by juanformoso, David Thomas, Kyle Cronin, Gelatin, DonnyD Jun 22 '10 at 1:01

This question does not relate to the topic of the proposal.
It was closed as part of an automated migration of off-topic to close votes on September 29, 2011.

That would be the daleks, no doubt ;-) – Jouke van der Maas Jul 6 '10 at 10:44
I so agree the Daleks would beat the Borgs for sure :D – Kyra Jul 7 '10 at 14:18
up vote 0 down vote
Is "Julian May: The Many Coloured Land" series classed as SF or F?
added by Grizly Jun 23 '10 at 5:25
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up vote 0 down vote
Could a civilization like the borg be possible with today's technology?
added by Gordon Gustafson Jul 4 '10 at 0:31
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up vote 0 down vote
What works (books, films, short stories etc) constitute the canon for [Star Wars]?
added by Steve Homer Jul 5 '10 at 20:00
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up vote 0 down vote
In Vernor Vinge's "Rainbows End", it is implied that Rabbit is someone we should know (specifically, the carrots!). Why?
added by forefinger Jul 7 '10 at 5:32
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up vote 0 down vote
How realistic or unrealistic is it that interstellar travel is economically feasible in science fiction? (For example, Bujold's wormhole nexus books.)
added by forefinger Jul 7 '10 at 5:33
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up vote 0 down vote
Do you consider alternate histories (like Philip K. Dick's "Man in the High Castle") to be science fiction? Why or why not?
added by forefinger Jul 7 '10 at 5:36
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up vote 0 down vote
How did they explain why all the aliens on Farscape sound like they talk in English?
added by random Jul 8 '10 at 3:12
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up vote 0 down vote
I liked books X, Y. What are other good recommendations for me?
added by Łukasz Lew Jul 8 '10 at 8:08
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Extremely subjective and based on tastes than a single right answer. – random Jul 9 '10 at 14:50
up vote 0 down vote
How can I get a copy of the Star Wars Holiday Special?
added by Dana Robinson Jul 9 '10 at 7:23
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Off: Sounds like a "shopping" question – random Jul 9 '10 at 14:50
up vote 0 down vote
How many films besides the Star Wars films has r2-d2 made a "guest" appearance in?
added by Luke Jul 9 '10 at 7:47
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up vote 0 down vote
How can I get a walk on (extra) part in a sci-fi film?
added by Wikis Jul 9 '10 at 11:53
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Off: Better for a site about movies/films in general. – random Jul 9 '10 at 14:49
up vote 0 down vote
What sci-fi, apart from Doctor Who, also features a device that is bigger on the inside than on the outside (like the TARDIS)?
added by Wikis Jul 9 '10 at 11:55
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up vote -1 down vote
I wrote this piece of fan fiction, what do you think of it? [closed]
added by sth Jun 8 '10 at 3:24
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closed as off topic by Simon Nickerson, Robert Cartaino, Beska, juanformoso, Ash G Jun 16 '10 at 6:02

This question does not relate to the topic of the proposal.
It was closed as part of an automated migration of off-topic to close votes on September 29, 2011.

It is a bad question because it implies copyright violation. I assume there would be a unusually large number of authors and would be authors on this site. – MatthewMartin Jun 23 '10 at 2:06
up vote -1 down vote
What other sci fi has 'actor x' from 'sci fi series x' appeared in?
added by Ash G Jun 16 '10 at 6:12
link
up vote -1 down vote
How can entropy be reversed? [closed]
added by Blorgbeard Jun 17 '10 at 19:29
link

closed as off topic by Steve Homer, Beska, MatthewMartin, Sanjay Sheth, thelsdj Jun 23 '10 at 18:45

This question does not relate to the topic of the proposal.
It was closed as part of an automated migration of off-topic to close votes on September 29, 2011.

1  
See Asimov's "The Last Question": multivax.com/last_question.html – Massimo Jun 17 '10 at 19:47
Some SF stories might have entropy or puppies, but not all entropy or puppy questions are SF. – MatthewMartin Jun 23 '10 at 2:04
@MatthewMartin agreed, off topic – Ash G Jun 24 '10 at 6:23
up vote -1 down vote
Where do you draw the line between 'SF with lots of suspension of disbelief' and 'fantasy'?
added by Jherico Jun 23 '10 at 17:08
link
Highly subjective and also awkwardly-worded - "Suspension of disbelief" is what the audience does, not the show or book. I would change the phrase "SF with lots of suspension of disbelief" to "[Very] Soft Sci-Fi". – Aaronaught Jun 23 '10 at 17:22
Or you could say: "SF that requires a lot of suspension of disbelief" – Sasha Jul 5 '10 at 19:42
up vote -1 down vote
I love [Twilight/Harry Potter/Lord of the rings/that fantasy-horror movie] actor playing role [you name it]. Do you know his e-mail/twitter ? [closed]
added by Riduidel Jul 2 '10 at 9:20
link

closed as off topic by John Saunders, Elizabeth Schechter, Arlaharen, lavonardo, random Jul 7 '10 at 15:18

This question does not relate to the topic of the proposal.
It was closed as part of an automated migration of off-topic to close votes on September 29, 2011.

up vote -1 down vote
What are tachyon particles?
added by Gordon Gustafson Jul 4 '10 at 0:30
link
up vote -1 down vote
Why are there so few audio books by Charles Stross?
added by Arlaharen Jul 7 '10 at 19:55
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1  
Subjective, doesn't appear to have an answer. – MatthewMartin Jul 8 '10 at 18:30
up vote -2 down vote
What is (insert writer's name here) policy on fanfiction?
added by Elizabeth Schechter Jul 4 '10 at 1:44
link
1  
It's not really so much that this question is entirely off topic as that, unless the author's policy is posted somewhere, you're not likely to get a useful answer, just hearsay. – Uncle Mikey Jul 7 '10 at 21:53
up vote -2 down vote
Can "magic" make sense in a Science Fiction setting?
added by Gnub Jul 7 '10 at 22:59
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Could whoever did the "not a good example" specify why that is so? I intentionally wrote it as "magic", to empathize that it isn't the same as in Fantasy, but more like "The Force". – Gnub Jul 8 '10 at 15:03
1  
I wasn't the one who voted you down, but I tend to agree... it's just too vague, every sci-fi "universe" has its own explanation for its own version of "magic", some even have several different flavours, and if you're talking about soft sci-fi (i.e. almost all sci-fi) then half of the science is magic; this question just isn't answerable in a general sense, and even if you narrowed it down to a specific book/series/show/movie, it's still highly subjective. – Aaronaught Jul 8 '10 at 18:35
I see - I must've thought in too much of a discussion way - makes sense really. Changed the question (removed "How"). – Gnub Jul 9 '10 at 6:41
up vote -3 down vote
Who do you believe is the most controversial science fiction [author/director/graphic designer/etc]?
added by Kyra Jun 22 '10 at 15:22
link
1  
Very subjective – Steve Homer Jun 22 '10 at 20:42
This is like a invitation to fruitless arguing. – MatthewMartin Jun 23 '10 at 2:00
Sometimes subjective is ok, but this one is too subjective – Ash G Jun 24 '10 at 6:25
up vote -3 down vote
What are examples of works that were heavily influenced by [Asimov's Foundation series]?
added by Sasha Jul 5 '10 at 19:43
link
up vote -4 down vote
What is the nicest in-print edition of "The Lord of the Ring"?
added by JDelage Jun 23 '10 at 11:56
link
1  
Nicest is a bit vague and subjective. – Steve Homer Jun 26 '10 at 13:55
up vote -5 down vote
My teacher thinks that people that like science fiction also tend to like Westerns. Is this true?
added by Beska Jun 14 '10 at 20:53
link
1  
But...we don't know your teacher... =b (sorry, I couldn't resist...) – David Thomas Jun 19 '10 at 15:48
up vote -5 down vote
Who is a better writer, Russell T Davies or Steven Moffat? [closed]
added by Jouke van der Maas Jul 2 '10 at 12:03
link

closed as off topic by Elizabeth Schechter, MatthewMartin, Massimo, Arlaharen, txwikinger Jul 5 '10 at 21:58

This question does not relate to the topic of the proposal.
It was closed as part of an automated migration of off-topic to close votes on September 29, 2011.

2  
It's not so much off-topic as just a lousy question guaranteed to generate extremely opinionated answers followed by ad hominem attacks against both the answerers and the writers@ – Uncle Mikey Jul 7 '10 at 21:55
up vote -6 down vote
Will a computer be able to manipulate the money markets sufficiently to enable it to buy the world.
added by scope_creep Jun 15 '10 at 12:20
link
In the book Norstrilia, by Cordwainer Smith, a boy called Rod McBan, starts speculating on the stroon money markets using an old battle computer, and overnight amasses enough money and possessions including Earth to become the richest man. The question really becomes as the banks use more and more computer processing time to manipulate the markets, do you think their will be a time coming they may become powerful enough to manipulate the market, in a manner that would leave the bank owning the whole earth. – scope_creep Jun 15 '10 at 12:24
not sure what to vote here. This seems like a discussion question more than a 'QnA' question – Ash G Jun 16 '10 at 6:15
that may be a macro issue with this whole topic - will the target audience be satisfied/served by a Q&A site? – KeithL Jun 17 '10 at 15:46
Not a SF question. – JDelage Jun 23 '10 at 11:58
@KeithL: these are all proposals for Q&A sites. They stand or fall on their function as Q&A sites. If the audience requires something else, then this will not be the site for them. – John Saunders Jun 23 '10 at 14:28
up vote -7 down vote
Is the From the Legend of Biel by Mary Staton the finest science fiction book every written.
added by scope_creep Jun 7 '10 at 18:21
link
Appears to be a dupe of Was Asimov the best science fiction writer or what?, since both show subjectivity and are shallow. – Roger Pate Jun 8 '10 at 2:09
Hi Roger, I know it is subjective, she is a little known author, and I wanted to get her know more. The book is astounding. I've been reading science fiction for 30+ years and have a library of 2000+ books but it is still the best. – scope_creep Jun 15 '10 at 11:55
1  
Too subjective. – Ash G Jun 16 '10 at 6:18
up vote -8 down vote
Was Asimov the best science fiction writer? [closed]
added by juanformoso Jun 7 '10 at 17:55
link

closed as off topic by Massimo, Amos, alexanderpas, KeithL, Uncle Mikey Jun 17 '10 at 19:41

This question does not relate to the topic of the proposal.
It was closed as part of an automated migration of off-topic to close votes on September 29, 2011.

Why is this not a good example? – juanformoso Jun 7 '10 at 18:28
2  
it's subjective and off-topic – juanformoso Jun 7 '10 at 19:34
1  
Great example of questions that should not be asked here. – Massimo Jun 9 '10 at 14:06
Too subjective. – Ash G Jun 16 '10 at 6:18
These questions will only result in ambiguous answers. It is a very subjective. – Narayana Jun 17 '10 at 20:10
up vote -8 down vote
How [awesome] was [Transformers 2]? [closed]
added by Niall C. Jun 7 '10 at 17:57
link

closed as off topic by David Basarab, Robert Cartaino, Jonathan Sampson, Massimo, Amos Jun 16 '10 at 11:18

This question does not relate to the topic of the proposal.
It was closed as part of an automated migration of off-topic to close votes on September 29, 2011.

1  
Off-Topic because it is subjective. – David Basarab Jun 7 '10 at 18:13
Appears to be a dupe of Was Asimov the best science fiction writer or what?, since both show subjectivity and are shallow. (The other is older by just a few minutes, but is older.) – Roger Pate Jun 8 '10 at 2:08
Off-Topic because it is subjective. – scope_creep Jun 15 '10 at 11:51
3  
@scope-creep: Questions shouldn't be voted off-topic because they're subjective, they should be voted off-topic because they're off-topic. If you think a question is too subjective then vote NAGE. The issue being decided here is: Are movie reviews considered on-topic? If someone wanted to discuss, for example, the sci-fi hardness of a specific movie, I think that should be on-topic. This one's only NAGE because it's apparently asking for general feelings/reactions and isn't tailored to the theme of a sci-fi site. – Aaronaught Jun 21 '10 at 15:34
meta.stackoverflow.com/questions/53919/… – Gordon Gustafson Jul 4 '10 at 0:29
up vote -10 down vote
Is Sex and the City 2 a science fiction film.
added by scope_creep Jun 15 '10 at 12:10
link
Sex and the City 2 has been argued as being a science fiction film in same manner or argument, that is a dog, smells like a duck, looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, then its a duck. Sex and the City 2 displays those typical science fiction charateristics. Is this true? – scope_creep Jun 15 '10 at 12:12
1  
I think you need to add some context to make this an interesting question. For example, who exactly (besides yourself) is making this comparison? What SciFi characteristics does SatC2 display? – KeithL Jun 17 '10 at 15:44
I'm unable to argue the point either way (I have no intention of ever seeing the movie), but I can't imagine it -if it's anything like the series or first film- being considered SF. Also, +1 @KeithL. – David Thomas Jun 19 '10 at 15:51
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