Forbidden Planet

So we watched Forbidden Planet in our sci-fi class and there were many extrapolations in that movie. For example the space ship, the robot that could create anything if it has a sample and it could also do household things and defense, advance push button security, interplanetary space travel for people, blasters, and more.
There were also things in the movie that are in newer movies today. Such as, robots (Lost in Space, I Robot), space travel with a captain and crew (Star Trek),  and more!
At first I didn't really like it but then as the movie went one I kind of got sucked into it and really enjoyed it. Over all I thought it was a pretty good movie and would have liked if we could have finished watching it. We only got about halfway through.

"Repent, Harlequin!" said the Ticktockman

The short story "Repent, Harlequin!" said the Ticktockman By Harlan Ellison is in my opinion less like our class definition of sci-fi just because the whole society has changed. We are in a society in which change is accepted and we understand that things come up and you will be late once in a while, but in this time there is absolutely no leeway if you are late.
Some extrapolations in this story are slidewalks, air boats, cardio plates and a-grav plates. He also uses extrapolations to describe this future society in which personalities have been filtered out and schedules and order rule every one's life. The government is so powerful that it can just turn people off.
I didn't really enjoy this piece too much because it was seemed too wordy and wandering to me. It never really sped up, had a strong climax or a dynamic between the characters that you could relate to and it never really hooked me as a reader. I did like the ending, however, because ultimately the main character really did finally make a difference.

Sales Pitch by Phlip K Dick

The short story Sales Pitch by Philip K. Dick relates to our class definition of science fiction because it brings the idea of robots, space travel and working on different planets into a possible future. We as humans want to dream up possiblies such as the 'fasrad' in this story to make life easy and less work. But you then have to ask yourself, if the robots are doing everything, why can't you do it? What is left to give your life meaning?
Phillip K. Dick uses extrapolation of current trends and technology when he envisions sales robots, police rockets, thoughtwave scanners, tractor  beams, and retinal vidscreens.
I kind of like this piece, I mean it's not my absolute favorite but it's enjoyable, thought-provoking and a good read. It reminds me of iRobot and how those robots are designed to take care of humans. When I picture the city where they live in in this story, I picture a city from iRobot.

There will come Soft Rains

     In the short story "August 2026: There Will Come Soft Rains" (1950) by Ray Bradbury it reflects our class definition of science fiction because there is still the 'what if' factor. What if there are no more people? What if technology was left to carry on by itself? It is possible that something like that can still happen. Its true to science and what we believe is true.
     There are a lot of extrapolations in this story like the fact that the house is talking and making breakfast for everyone and knows the date and what time it is and cleans itself. These are extensions of technology we have today. These extrapolations really bring the story to life in the description, you know that it is in the future because of all of this. It paints a picture of the possibility of a future like this where a house does do things for you and reminds you of things. It really brought this piece together. Ray Bradbury would most likely not be surprised that much of this is nearly possible today.
     I really like this piece as well as other Ray Bradbury things that I have read. I love his word choice and the way he describes things and takes his time to make sure you really think about what he is truly saying and what he really means. He has a way with words that not everyone gets, but that's okay because the ones who do get it know they can't forget it.

Events Proceeding the Helvetican Renaissance

The short story Events Proceeding the Helvetican Renaissance by John Kessel asks a lot of "what if's". What if spaceports and space travel are common? What if the human race nearly died out and had to be brought back in a new way? What if there was a way to suspend life for long amounts of time?
Kessel uses extrapolations to examine how these things might affect human culture and society. What would security be like in this future city? How would technology such as eye scanners help or hinder people? How would religion change in the future? These extrapolations are key parts of the author's examination of a distant future.
Well, I like it and I don't like it. I like it because it was a cool future city that I got to imagine in my head.  I don't like it because it was long and way too drawn out when if could have easily been written shorter and made more interesting. There are also some parts in there that I don't consider sci-fi but rather fantasy, so over all would have to say that I didn't like it tremendously.

Homelanding and Cause and Effect

In both the short story Homelanding by Margaret Atwood and the Star Trek episode Cause and Effect, I saw elements of science fiction.  First in Homelanding the story is being told by someone describing human beings to someone from another planet, and since we have not discovered life on other planets yet it is considered sci-fi. Then, in the Star Trek episode first of all they were flying in space, there was a temporal causality loop that they were stuck in; all of which have not been proven but are possible and that's what makes it sci-fi.
I think these pieces were picked as our introduction to sci-fi because they are both a really good examples of stories that are not easily confused with fantasy. Both contain elements of science and speculation.  Both have something to say about how these hypothetical situations also reveal something about humanity.
Yes, These pieces hold up to my definition of science fiction.
I liked both of these pieces, Homelanding was my favorite because it talked about things that are minor and things we see everyday and at the same time it gave me a new point of view. If someone from another planet asked me what was unique to life on my planet I would have probably given the same answer as Margaret; I would look at the big picture and tell them what we experience every day. Also I liked the Star Trek episode because time has always fascinated me; and it was well put together.

Science Fiction Blog #1

My name is Erin and I love reading, writing, watching movies and dancing. I have 2 older brothers, one who is 21 and the other one, who is my step-brother, is 32. I consider dance a sport. Some people will ask how is dancing a sport?  Is it in the Olympics? Well no... But football and lacrosse aren't in it either and are still considered sports, so why can't dance be a sport? I don't take things personally; I realize people have other views.  I don't see the point in wasting away my time on something someone said or did that I could easily brush off and move on. Like Dr. Seuss says: "Those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."

My paramount experience with science fiction can't be narrowed down to one specific thing or time. I have always loved sci-fi and the endless possibilities that somehow can be proven to make sense and even to be possible. I am really fascinated by the question What if...? What if these things could be true? Why can't they be? And if we don't have solid facts that they are not true, why do we say they aren't true then? I like the movies Time Machine, Logan's Run, 2012,The Core, Evolution, Deep Impact, Star Trek (the new motion picture), Equilibrium, The Matrix, The Day the Earth Stood Still, The Day After Tomorrow, I-Robot, Contact, War of the Worlds, Jurassic Park, Avatar etc... I like the TV shows/mini-series: Terra Nova, ReGenesis, Journey to the Center of the Earth, and Andromeda Strain. I also like the books Double identity, The Host, Found etc...

Science fiction gets confused with fantasy a lot but it's not, science fiction is fiction stories that are based on actually scientific principles, not only made up creatures and topics such as vampires, fairies, warlocks, dragons, magic etc... This is fantasy.