> There are of course some differences between science and
> science fiction. In
> the latter, you can choose for yourself whichever form of
> escapist literature
> you prefer and live in that world for your entire life, if
> you care to.
> Unfortunately, at best, it is only a form of mental
> masturbation, perhaps
> momentarily pleasurable but otherwise completely
> nonproductive. But once you
> go so far as to adopt philosophies taken from dime store
> novels, you've
> almost certainly abrogated any possibility of your making
> reality any the
> better for your doing it.
>
> There are legitimate approaches to the analyses of complex
> problems. Quoting
> science fiction authors is not one of them.
>
> Wirt Atmar
>

Fortunately there are many outlets available to express ones philosophy.
Many science fiction authors make a greater effort at technical accuracy
than today's supposed experts. Some, such as Robert Heinlein and Isaac
Asimov, have chosen to use science fiction as a way to express their
viewpoints on our society in an entertaining way.

Labeling their work as "dime store novels" is the typical response of ivory
tower elitists who take offense at anyone not part of their inner circle
expressing a coherent idea, something they appear to be incapable of, in a
way the an average reader can understand. They prefer to spend their time
memorizing dictionaries and various trivia while making pronouncements from
on high as to the way we should run our society. A society they have little
experience with as they wrap themselves protectively in the world of
academia.

Comments are my own, not my employer's... etc.





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