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.

  • 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.