Proper sf explores the edges of reality and then goes beyond.

Popular “sf” is old tropes and popular ideas rendered in terms of spaceships and robots.

The first is a real live alien. The second is cosplay.

    • kadup@lemmy.world
      16·
      3 days ago

      I’m not the one who decided to create a post in a science fiction community claiming a huge portion of science fiction isn’t “true science fiction” based on my own tastes.

      Of course the point is semantic, do you want me to base it on what? Your favorite novels?

      • infinite_ass@leminal.spaceOP
        112·
        3 days ago

        We already agreed that it’s a big difference.

        2 completely different things that have the same name. Superficially similar but actually not.

        What’s the issue?

        • kadup@lemmy.world
          5·
          3 days ago

          2 completely different things that have the same name.

          That’s how grouping works, yes. You and I are clearly different, yet we are both called “human”. In fact, you and a giant panda are both “mammals” despite being radically different.

          • infinite_ass@leminal.spaceOP
            110·
            3 days ago

            (Semantics really is the smallest possible point.)

            I think that the real point here is legitimacy. Scifi has a big reputation. Popular scifi borrows legitimacy from that reputation.

            Separate popular scifi from that reputation and it loses legitimacy.