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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

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This says it all: abstrusegoose.com/254 – Massimo Jun 10 '10 at 7:48
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@ash, no, sci fi is not fantasy... although ppl that like one almost always like the other – juanformoso Jun 14 '10 at 13:48
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@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
show 14 more announcements

78 Example Questions (9 closed)

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up vote 25 down vote
Are there any inventions that were accurately predicted in science fiction? If so, what were they?
added by Beska Jun 14 '10 at 21:03
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up vote 20 down vote
I like scientific accuracy, which hard science fiction writer would you recommend and why?
added by juanformoso Jun 9 '10 at 23:17
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Unless you want this site to devolve into a discussion site, you should vote for this question to be off-topic. – John Saunders Jun 21 '10 at 2:22
Some questions that would generate a list should be welcomed, as they are on SO (key word being some) – juanformoso Jun 21 '10 at 2:25
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It's the "and why" part of this question that will be the problem. – John Saunders Jun 21 '10 at 2:41
up vote 20 down vote
What science fiction novels have well developed alien languages?
added by MatthewMartin Jun 22 '10 at 1:20
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up vote 19 down vote
Asimov's Psychohistory looks like the scientic evolution of Marx's Historical Materialism; does this mean he was Marxist?
added by Massimo Jun 9 '10 at 15:58
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But then, in "End of Eternity" random small events can deeply change history... – Massimo Jun 9 '10 at 15:58
up vote 18 down vote
Would warp travel be possible sometime in the future? Or is it impossible?
added by juanformoso Jun 7 '10 at 17:45
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on topic, discussing actual physics theories of a science fiction technology – juanformoso Jun 7 '10 at 18:30
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Belongs in a Physics category, not a SciFi category. – Jonathan Sampson Jun 7 '10 at 20:43
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I disagree @Jon, I would like the site to discuss science topics related to science fiction ideas, with no excessive strictness inherently to the science itself. A physics site would not allow this kind of topics (warp travel, teleportation, travelling through wormholes, time travel, etc). And at the very least it would be off topic not "not a good example" – juanformoso Jun 8 '10 at 0:54
@Juan The Physics group would contain more appropriate experts for the subject of your question. I'm sorry, but I don't trust my fellow comic-collectors to tell me how feasible teleportation actually is in the future. – Jonathan Sampson Jun 8 '10 at 13:53
Are you saying that you cannot have a serious science discussion with science fiction fans? Most scifi writers were scientists, Asimov had degrees on physics and chemistry for example... Also, science fiction has nothing to do with comics. I guess this proposal isn't for you @jon – juanformoso Jun 8 '10 at 15:11
show 4 more improvement suggestions
up vote 18 down vote
In the Dune series, why are they not using computers and programming related technologies?
added by googletorp Jun 7 '10 at 19:49
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And why are there no cellphones in "War of the Worlds"? :-) – balpha♦ Jun 7 '10 at 19:56
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Because of the Butlerian jihad. (Couldn't resist.) – Roger Pate Jun 8 '10 at 2:09
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Should there be an option, "This is a sort-of OK example?" There's a legitimate discussion to be had about whether the sort of anti-technical future Herbert depicted is feasible, I think, but I'm not sure this question is a great way to get at that discussion. – Uncle Mikey Jun 17 '10 at 19:39
This question seems more like the asker doesn't know the reason (which means he probably hasn't read the book). And the future Herbert predicted is not anti tech, it has lots and lots of tech. Its specifically anti computer. (couldn't resist) – Ash G Jun 24 '10 at 6:28
up vote 17 down vote
Will there be another season of [scfi tv series]?
added by sth Jun 8 '10 at 3:20
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More like a general TV question. – random Jul 9 '10 at 14:52
up vote 13 down vote
What are the distinct forms of faster-than-light travel used in science fiction?
added by John Saunders Jun 21 '10 at 2:20
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up vote 13 down vote
What's the name of the [Asimov] story where [Susan Calvin puts down a robot that began to have dreams]?
added by Joe Zack Jun 22 '10 at 16:30
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up vote 9 down vote
Neal Stephenson's Baroque trilogy of novels are often described as historical fiction with a Sci-Fi sensibility. What characterises Sci-Fi?
added by Steve Homer Jun 19 '10 at 0:11
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up vote 7 down vote
What were the earliest science fiction books written by Cyrano De Bergerac, the french dramatist.
added by scope_creep, edited by juanformoso Jun 7 '10 at 19:35
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up vote 7 down vote
Does the Star Wars plot continue after episode 6?
added by googletorp Jun 17 '10 at 21:32
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up vote 6 down vote
What authors could be considered as directly influenced by 'author x'
added by Ash G Jun 16 '10 at 6:07
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up vote 5 down vote
Why is the destination of the Discovery in 2001: A Space Odyssey Saturn in the book and Jupiter in the movie?
added by Steve Homer Jun 20 '10 at 23:03
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up vote 5 down vote
Can you suggest ['hard' science fiction] short stories or novels involving [Native Americans]?
added by Joe Zack Jun 22 '10 at 17:14
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up vote 5 down vote
Can you think of any [books/shows/etc] that used to be considered science fiction and are not anymore?
added by Kyra Jun 23 '10 at 17:59
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up vote 5 down vote
Is there any science-fiction book/movie using [the Fermi Paradox/deviation from Pi value/any scientific concept] as a corner stone of its plot ?
added by Riduidel Jul 2 '10 at 9:23
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up vote 4 down vote
Is H.P. Lovecraft more of a sci-fi writer than just plain horror?
added by Massimo Jun 9 '10 at 14:06
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up vote 4 down vote
How has frank herberts work (outside of the dune series) impacted sci fi?
added by Ash G Jun 16 '10 at 6:06
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up vote 4 down vote
Is there any science at all behind the recurring sci-fi meme of evolving into pure energy (AKA "ascension")?
added by Aaronaught Jun 18 '10 at 0:11
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up vote 4 down vote
What authors are considered the founders of sci-fi?
added by codingkevin Jun 19 '10 at 17:10
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It may arise subjective points of view between the germsbach-fan, the old europe partisans (starting with Cyrano), the romantic ones (starting with Frankenstein/Dracula), and the antic greece ones. – Riduidel Jul 2 '10 at 9:26
@Riduidel: and yet, each of these subjective answers would provide a great interesting viewpoint to the question. To me, this is exactly the kind of subjective question that would add a great deal of value. – Beska Jul 2 '10 at 12:59
@Beska; I think it would only add value if the question were a "true" community wiki - that is, one author per answer with whatever background information is necessary to justify its inclusion (links, dates, works, etc.). One-line (or two-word) answers are effectively useless. Even then, it basically becomes a poll question and those waters should only be tested when a site is relatively mature - otherwise we'll end up with the same situation as Stack Overflow with people endlessly copying questions and citing the seed questions as prior art. – Aaronaught Jul 2 '10 at 13:26
up vote 4 down vote
Will [canceled tv series] be continued in another format (ex. comic, movie, books, etc)?
added by Kyra Jun 21 '10 at 20:20
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up vote 4 down vote
I really like [X] written by [Y]. Can you recommend some similar books?
added by Arlaharen Jul 5 '10 at 9:48
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up vote 4 down vote
Are there any references to the [Shadow Proclamation, perception filter, etc.] in classic Doctor Who, or is it a new series invention?
added by Jouke van der Maas Jul 5 '10 at 14:08
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up vote 3 down vote
What are some good examples of sci fi novels with surprise, unpredictable, unexpected endings?
added by Ash G Jun 16 '10 at 6:08
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Surely by answering this question , a poster would be removing someof the fun reading a book with an unexpected ending. – Amos Jun 16 '10 at 11:19
How, they would not be giving away the ending, merely telling you its a fit for your criteria. And if your looking for sci fi that does have a surprise ending how else would you find it? – Ash G Jun 16 '10 at 17:53
up vote 3 down vote
Would C.S. Lewis be considered a science fiction author? If not what genre would you put him in?
added by Kyra Jun 21 '10 at 20:18
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This should be in a "Books in general" forum, not SF. – extropy Jun 29 '10 at 8:09
up vote 3 down vote
What is sci-fi books are falling into public domain this year (2010) and are now safe for fan fiction?
added by MatthewMartin Jun 22 '10 at 1:21
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"This year" will age over the lifetime of the post. I'd work better if phrased "What sci-fi books are falling in the public domain in 2010 and..." – Steve Homer Jun 22 '10 at 20:43
up vote 3 down vote
I've read other books by [Joe Halderman], but I didn't like them as much as [The Forever War]. Can you suggest books in the same vein?
added by Joe Zack Jun 22 '10 at 16:32
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A programmatic solution to this could make someone rich :-) – Steve Schnepp Jun 22 '10 at 16:50
Something similar to the music genome project? – Elizabeth Schechter Jul 6 '10 at 12:36
up vote 3 down vote
What novel length fiction written before 1700 best fits the category of Science Fiction?
added by MatthewMartin Jun 23 '10 at 1:56
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up vote 3 down vote
What sci fi books/series/movies either make no reference to earth or refer to it as a forgotten, lost or long ago destroyed place.
added by Ash G Jun 24 '10 at 6:33
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up vote 3 down vote
I really like [series] by [author]. When is the next book coming out?
added by Ophiuroid Jun 30 '10 at 6:12
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up vote 3 down vote
What are some good examples of feminist sci fi, and how does that show up in the plot and/or speculation?
added by forefinger Jul 7 '10 at 5:30
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up vote 2 down vote
How can I send fan mail to author [X]?
added by MatthewMartin Jun 22 '10 at 1:19
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up vote 2 down vote
What examples are there of accurate depictions in SF of computers long before ENIAC was built?
added by MatthewMartin Jun 23 '10 at 1:57
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up vote 2 down vote
What are the common themes of the various books and short stories of Robert A. Heinlein?
added by JDelage Jun 23 '10 at 11:57
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Mysogyny & Libertarianism. – Jherico Jun 23 '10 at 17:09
up vote 2 down vote
Why does Robby the Robot from the movie Forbidden Planet look so much like The Robot from the 60's television series Lost in Space.
added by DonnyD Jun 27 '10 at 20:23
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Interesting, as it may arise synchronicity-style effects, like the one found for the space elevator between Clarke and Sheffield (foutains of paradise vs The Web Between the Worlds), or simply plagiarism. – Riduidel Jul 1 '10 at 10:00
Quite right about there being some controversy as to attribution. Robert Kinoshita is credited for both designs, although Mentor Huebner claims the original Robbie design as his. – DonnyD Jul 1 '10 at 12:42
up vote 2 down vote
Is the policy of not interacting with new civilizations until they discover warp drive realistic?
added by Gordon Gustafson Jul 4 '10 at 0:35
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I find this question interesting, although the limitation to warp-drive seems a little Star-Trek-centered :-) – Riduidel Jul 5 '10 at 8:24
It is, however, an example question, and one we're likely to see. I'm out of "on-topic" votes, but I don't understand why this is trending "off-topic". The philosophical question of first contact policy in SF is perfectly on topic, I think. – Uncle Mikey Jul 7 '10 at 21:54
up vote 2 down vote
Is it possible to purchase the audio of the original BBC radio series for The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy?
added by WikiSpeedia hang-around Jul 6 '10 at 2:02
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(The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/…) – WikiSpeedia hang-around Jul 6 '10 at 2:03
This question could probably be posed in a better way. If you leave comments I will edit. – WikiSpeedia hang-around Jul 6 '10 at 2:04
up vote 1 down vote
In 3001, Final Odyssey, they don't use the word "god" anymore in expressions like "Oh my god, it's full of stars", what do they use?
added by J. Pablo Fernández Jun 19 '10 at 23:52
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Deus -- and it was fun recalling that :-) – nik Jun 20 '10 at 2:41
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Here is a longish treatise on the subject, tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/OhMyGods. It also includes the exact reference you gave. – nik Jun 20 '10 at 2:44
@nik, +1 for quoting TVTropes. – Massimo Jun 20 '10 at 4:11
up vote 1 down vote
What characterizes the work of [Ursula K. Le Guin]?
added by DonnyD Jun 26 '10 at 2:06
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