SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY : A DIFFERENCE

SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY: A DIFFERENCE

By: Ryel Christian M. Medina (ABCA)

SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY. I always wonder why these genres of books are placed in one shelf in bookstores. I’m not really the person who would read a lot about Science Fiction. I love fantasy. Until now, I don’t know why those books are on the same shelf.

I was stunned when I saw my schedule before because of FREELEC/SCIFIC. I had this idea that I will learn the difference between fantasy and science fiction.  “I’m excited to take this subject” I told one of my friends who also loves book.

So it started, we were asked to tell Science Fiction texts but later on, we learned that some of those texts are not part of Science Fiction rather it is under Fantasy. That learning made an impact on me because I keep on asking myself “Why? What’s the difference?”

The next meeting, I had a clear idea about their difference. Science fiction uses very few postulates and develops the rigidly consistent logical consequences of these postulates. It is mainly set in the future. Fantasy makes its rules as it goes along.

If I’ll be asked “Fantasy or Science Fiction?” I would honestly answer, fantasy. I’m not a fan of Science Fiction at all but I need to learn about it. Though I don’t like it a lot, I watch Science Fiction movies sometimes. Iron Man, Wall-E, Jurrasic Park, and Terminator are some of those I think good science fiction texts because it doesn’t only show the science behind it but it teaches values and rapport of the characters. Armageddon, I- Robot, and Robocop 3 are the weak Science Fiction movies based on my understanding because it violates some laws just like for an example, I-Robot. Based on Isaac Asimov’s Law of Robotics which says “A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.” What happened in I-Robot is that the the robot hurt humans.

I am hoping for better understanding and fun with Science Fiction.