Tags
google+, lecture, Neil Gaiman, Passive Guy, Passive Voice, Raymond Chandler, Reading Agency, sci-fi, science fiction, SF, the Guardian, Verge
Raymond’s snooty (but hilarious)…
I love science fiction, but I’m painfully aware of its humble, pulpy origins. Sure, there were early gems, but much of the earlier sci-fi was plagued by ridiculous contraptions, tongue-twisting names and weird physics, as attested by Raymond Chandler in a 1953 letter to his agent, H. N. Swanson.
What really sells this, however, is the wrist computer and the casual namedrop of Google, some 45 years before Larry and Sergey registered the domain…
Did you ever read what they call Science Fiction? It’s a scream. It is written like this:
“I checked out with K19 on Adabaran III, and stepped out through the crummaliote hatch on my 22 Model Sirus Hardtop. I cocked the timejector in secondary and waded through the bright blue manda grass. My breath froze into pink pretzels. I flicked on the heat bars and the Bryllis ran swiftly on five legs using their other two to send out crylon vibrations.
The pressure was almost unbearable, but I caught the range on my wrist computer through the transparent cysicites. I pressed the trigger. The thin violet glow was ice-cold against the rust-colored mountains. The Bryllis shrank to half an inch long and I worked fast stepping on them with the poltex. But it wasn’t enough.
The sudden brightness swung me around and the Fourth Moon had already risen. I had exactly four seconds to hot up the disintegrator and Google had told me it wasn’t enough. He was right.
(from the Verge, courtesy of the Passive Voice)
And Neil’s a darling
Mercifully, another great writer (and one of my all-time favorites), Neil Gaiman, is more positive about sci-fi.
In a celebrated speech at the Reading Agency, he had this to say on the matter:
I was in China in 2007, at the first party-approved science fiction and fantasy convention in Chinese history. And at one point I took a top official aside and asked him Why? SF had been disapproved of for a long time. What had changed?
It’s simple, he told me. The Chinese were brilliant at making things if other people brought them the plans. But they did not innovate and they did not invent. They did not imagine. So they sent a delegation to the US, to Apple, to Microsoft, to Google, and they asked the people there who were inventing the future about themselves. And they found that all of them had read science fiction when they were boys or girls.
You can read an edited version of Neil’s speech on The Guardian – a highly recommended read.
Also, visit Damien Walter for a lively discussion of Neil Gaiman’s quote.
Musiville, my second children’s book, will be published shortly. When it does, I will only leave a sample of award-winning Runaway Smile online. If you wanted to read it in its entirety for free, you only have a few days to do so!
blondeusk said:
Fab post! Interesting
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Thanks 😀
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Records of the Ohanzee said:
Speaking of the pulpy origins reminded me of watching late-night re-runs of Lost in Space. So cheesy and the science is so weak, but if you consider the time period, it does hold a special kind of charm.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Ah, the memories…
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beetleypete said:
I enjoyed this, and found it amusing too. I am sympathetic to Chandler though. So much of even the ‘classic’ sci-fi reads like that. As for future predictions, I feel that few of those actually happened, except the computers. At least not the exciting ones we were told about!
https://beetleypete.wordpress.com/2012/08/02/back-to-the-future/
Best wishes, Pete.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Where’s my Hoverboard, dudes? Oh, right: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwSwZ2Y0Ops
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TanGental said:
Even though Chandler is an all time hero and my MC in my latest book is a little in homage to him, and he is wonderfully prescient, I am not with him at all re sci fi. And Gaiman, as ever, nails it. It’s all part of genius, thinking weird. Neat post Nick. Good start to Friday thinking about that.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it 🙂
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Charles Yallowitz said:
Seems science fiction and fantasy always get eye rolls because of their pulpy fiction origin. Is it really so different than how westerns, crime novels, romances, and most other genres started? I mean, was Shakespeare really seen as classic, high society art when he was alive? My point here is that people look at the old stuff and pick out the flaws because we live with the refined product. Back when they first showed up, the campyness might not have been seen as such. It was pure escapism with no questions or destructive analysis. Some days I wonder if modern society has forgotten this aspect of fiction.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Mercifully, I’ve been having too much fun writing SF/fantasy to notice 🙂
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Charles Yallowitz said:
I only notice because of talking with people. Seems it’s inevitable when the topic comes up.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Oh, yeah. That’s why I only talk to you guys – my online friends 🙂
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Charles Yallowitz said:
Smart move. 🙂
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thelonelyauthorblog said:
Charles, I agree with your statement. I feel the science fiction genre is unappreciated in publishing circles (“the eye rolls” as you stated). Yet, when you look at the highest grossing movies and movies adapted from novels so many of the top grossing films are science fiction. Today’s science fiction is tomorrow’s science fact.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Good point. It’s probably because of the prevalence of SF in films that I don’t feel the stigma 🙂
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thelonelyauthorblog said:
True. The public definitely enjoys science fiction in film.
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Charles Yallowitz said:
That is a strange situation. I know people who would never read a sci-fi book. Yet, they’re practically drooling over the new Star Wars movie. Maybe it has to do with the medium.
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thelonelyauthorblog said:
I was just talking to someone about the same subject. Science fiction is not respected in the publishing world. Its almost a frowned upon genre. Which are the top grossing movies in Hollywood? Sci-fi. Thanks for commenting.
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Charles Yallowitz said:
Curious about why that is. Might have to look for any sites or info on that. Thanks.
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thelonelyauthorblog said:
Let me know if you find anything
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
That is weird, right?
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Charles Yallowitz said:
Maybe people find it harder to imagine stuff from words. Seeing everything makes it clearer and doesn’t bring anything into question. I’ve really got no idea.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
It’s probably the eye candy effect.
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Charles Yallowitz said:
Mmmmm candy.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
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Allie P. said:
If it were not for science fiction, would scientists have been inspired to reach for Mars at warp speed? http://www.sciencealert.com/nasa-has-trialled-an-engine-that-would-take-us-to-Mars-in-10-weeks
Would we be close to potentially figuring out teleportation? http://www.livescience.com/52259-quantum-teleportation-sets-distance-record.html
Or would we be in a position to potentially grant those who have lost limbs or the ability to walk as second chance?
I love science fiction as it in many cases it has the potential to be science fact one day.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
A big thank-you hug from me for the excellent comment! 😀
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Allie P. said:
🙂 You are more than welcome. It is truly an exciting time to be alive.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
I often think the same thing. Have you watched, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RV4fbdcsMT4 ?
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Let's CUT the Crap! said:
Ha ha. I agree: pulpy and we’ve managed to dial it up somewhat.
I had no idea computer and google come from that far past. Amazing.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
I know, I was rather shocked myself at his prophetic use of the words!
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Let's CUT the Crap! said:
It’s a small world after all… 🙂
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D. Wallace Peach said:
The Gaiman quote makes perfect sense. It’s fascinating to watch old sci-fi movies and see what is now current technology. Oh, and I can’t read the humble, pulpy origins of sci-fi. I just can’t do it. 🙂
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Ha ha, not all of them have aged well, I’m afraid 😀
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Michelle Proulx said:
Ooooh very interesting! That Neil Gaman quote is great, and makes so much sense. If you want to succeed at something, you need passion for it. Hence why your books are so awesome 😀
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Aw, you! Thank you! Now, all I need is find some rich patron to pay me to write them 😀
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Widdershins said:
Heh! Don’t we all. 😀
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macjam47 said:
Terrific post. I enjoyed reading.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Thanks! 🙂
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WK Tucker said:
I remember watching the original Star Trek on TV when I was a young one…loved it! I was heartbroken when it was cancelled three years later. And later on, when I fell in love with The Next Generation, I was somewhat amazed on how far special effects had come in between the two.
When the first Star Trek aired, there was a dearth of anything different on TV, and now the big and small screen both abounds with sci-if, fantasy, paranormal, horror, and weird. Books as well. It’s a great time to be alive for those of us who crave to “go where no man has gone before”.
And I’m also a big fan of Neil Gaiman.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Oh my, are you… are you me??
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WK Tucker said:
Maybe your female doppelgänger…lol.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Lol – lovely to meet you, female doppelganger 😀
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WK Tucker said:
Lovely to meet you. 😀 My friends call me Kathy.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Lovely to meet you, Kathy! My friends call me… erm… Nicholas. Sorry, that’s it 🙂
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WK Tucker said:
WK Tucker is my pen name. I hide behind it, and just come out to talk to other writers. 😀
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Thanks for sharing your name, then 🙂
My real name is Nicholas Rossis. I added the C so people won’t recognize me. It’s like Superman’s glasses.
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WK Tucker said:
Ah…you’re a tricky one. 😀
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
What criminal mastermind could solve that riddle and see past my mask?
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thelonelyauthorblog said:
I loved the original Star Trek, too.
My mother used to say, how can you watch that stuff. Look at those guys talking in telephones you carry in your hand.
Gene Roddenberry had the foresight to see it coming.
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WK Tucker said:
Yes, he did.
So many things that others have imagined in the past are now commonplace. I hope I live long enough to see man walking on the surface of Mars. I’ve told people I’d give up ten years of my life to do just that. Long, long ago and far away, I wanted to be an astronaut. I became a writer instead. Now I go lots of places. 🙂
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thelonelyauthorblog said:
Yeah, now you can travel further than any astronaut.
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WK Tucker said:
Yes….
But still, it’d be grand to actually step off a ship onto the surface of Mars.
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thelonelyauthorblog said:
lol
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Wouldn’t we all… Say, have you all seen this? http://nicholasrossis.me/2014/05/11/science-fiction-turned-into-fact/
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WK Tucker said:
When I click on your link, my phone won’t let me go there…says it may be a site pretending to be you. lol
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Lol – crazy phone 😀
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WK Tucker said:
My iPad is also insane…refuses to go there too. And I really wanted to read the article. I love it when computers think they know best. Maybe there’s something there they don’t want me to see. Hmm…
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Ha ha, let me know when you do manage to see it. It was insanely popular back then 😀
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WK Tucker said:
I will. Rest assured, I will circumvent the ones and zeros.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Ha! Not to mention tablets (Jake Sisko always carried one with him on DS9)
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thelonelyauthorblog said:
Oh, yeah forgot all about them.
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thelonelyauthorblog said:
Great post Nicholas and I enjoyed the subsequent dialogue. It is a pleasure following you.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
That’s such a sweet thing to say; thank you! 😀
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thelonelyauthorblog said:
You have a great blog.I will be getting to your books in November. We’ll be conversing about them soon.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Oh, wow – thanks! No need to buy them,though. I’d be happy to just email you anything you want, as a review copy 🙂
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thelonelyauthorblog said:
Thanks
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Sure, no problem. Just let me know what you’d like to read 🙂
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thelonelyauthorblog said:
Love sci fi and thrillers. You have so many books that look so interesting.Do you have a lot of input on your covers?
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
The posts where I ask for people’s help are remarkably popular. Which goes to show you what a great bunch of people follow me 🙂
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thelonelyauthorblog said:
It appears most of your posts are extremely popular. You have a great following. But I have to say the writing community has always been supportive. We have so many obstacles against us we have to be united.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Couldn’t agree more! 🙂
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Problems With Infinity said:
I love Neil Gaiman’s stuff! (I actually often draw to the Coraline soundtrack hehe) Also I love some of the older sci-fi/fantasy writers like Jack Vance and Harry Harrison! Jack Vance was probably my favorite writers for awhile…
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
You… you’re amazing! What are your thoughts on P.K. Dick?
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roberteggleton said:
Hi Ellie,
For proper attribution: “…At the 2013 International Skoll Forum, Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus, born in Bangladesh but he traveled extensively in India, reportedly said something like, ‘We have science fiction and science follows….’ Muhammad Yunus heads a company that loans money to entrepreneurs who live in impoverished areas and who would not otherwise qualify for financial assistance….”
http://www.girl-who-reads.com/2015/09/robert-eggleton-social-science-fiction.html
Personally, I’m no longer a fan of mainstream science fiction, especially not young adult subgenre science fiction, the popularity of which I believe has damaged the genre by influencing great writers toward self-censorship and editors toward formula sales. I loved pulp for what it represented, and I loved the next logical step with Vonnegut, Adams, and Robbins, but, in my opinion, the genre has a long way to go on its road to recovery from the Harry Potter Disease — so contagious.
http://freshfiction.com/page.php?id=7667
Sometimes, great medicines like Harry (I especially admire Rollins’ past affiliation with Amnesty International) can have adverse side effects.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Hi Robert and welcome!
You make some great points. I love Yunus’ quote, and see its applications daily.
As for the JK Rowling (aka Harry Potter) effect you mention, I can feel it in my own writing. In the first draft of Pearseus, the love scene between Parad and Gella was 3 pages long – and much more explicit. This was all cut out to clean up the book.
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