Posted on 03/25/2021 8:57:11 PM PDT by tbw2
So why are there so few mothers, so few fathers, so few families of any size in modern science fiction stories? As I said above, the answer is that, in the so-called modern mindset, families (especially large ones) are considered pathologies. They are considered an abnormal “deviation giving rise to social ills.” When families are portrayed at all, they are made individually and collectively the butt of tasteless jokes; this provides the social reinforcement for the ideological notion that having a family is irresponsible. These insulting stereotypes encourage the absurd notion in our collective ultra-modern hubris that children, families, and parents are passé. This ideology is propagated as the “scientific” gospel and thereby that of science fiction as well. If that does not frighten you, readers and future writers, it should.
This is why there are so few mothers in science fiction, readers and future writers. This is also why the families, large and small, from the original Star Wars expanded universe were discarded when the new timeline was formed. It is, deliberately or not, a commonly stated reinforcement of the Malthusian Nihilism so currently in vogue today, which has been proven false in every case, every time.
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I hate when I do that.
Lol. Let em. Hugos won’t make the terrible books sell.
His sister is key to redeeming/saving him.
Shepherd isn't but it is interest that most of the authors I like are published by Baen.
Occasionally something pops up by DelRay or TOR but not much.
Two reasons I think, Baen treats their authors right as in they pay them their royalties. Not all publishing companies do. And certainly in the past many companies didn't.
The second is that Baen seems to give their authors artistic freedom. You will not, for example, find PGC (Perfect Gay Couple) shoehorned into the story line. There might be one but it will not be forced in but authors choice.
I think that's true. A week or so ago there was some kind of kerfluffle that involved Baen. The published response by some of the authors was interesting. Eric Flint, who is a self-described socialist reiterated his support for some of the more conservative writers at Baen.
As far as I am concerned, I don't really care what the particular politics of the writers are as long as they can put together an interesting story with compelling characters. I know that Flint was supportive of Jerry Pournelle who is not a socialist by any stretch of the imagination.
I also wonder if Flint's socialism may have moderated quite a bit over the years given the directions that his 1632 universe has taken.
Someone isn’t reading much science fiction - there’s plenty of families in them, but they aren’t always seen because the point of the story is that it’s full of adventure and daring and exploration and research and death and so on. Not something most people bring their kids along for. Also, many times the leads are single specifically to allow the reader to insert themselves into the story no matter their background, anyone can relate and remember when they were single and free to be able to do something like a sci-fi adventure! A few off the top of my head:
Ender’s Game - kid is taken from his family because he’s crazy smart and develops a new family with his fellow squadmates.
The War Against the Rull - the main guy has a family back home, that we see occasionally. And, he basically adopts the alien baby in the process.
Star Wars - per the article, Disney’s stupid crap is different, but the real storyline includes Han and Leia making a family. Plus the main characters (Luke, Vader) have plenty of familial relationship too!
Pern - a whole bunch of families travel to a new world and establish a new society, which includes families, though some in an odd way based on the dragons.
Dune - Houses are families. It’s basically family vs family war here.
Foundation series - this is more a societal tale then following a particular person, but there’s lots of families in there.
Schlock Mercenary - it’s a company of mercenaries. And yet, still, there’s several family-related plots, or even major characters starting a family.
Spacetrawler - yea, not much. Mostly just high sci-fi adventure fun.
Starship Troopers - yup, mostly just action.
Heinlein - lots of one-offs, and not much family in there.
Hyperion - not too much there.
I like all three
Newer stuff rarely has traditional married mother-father families with children.
Sentient tanks, Keith Laumer came up with the concept but various writers play in that world.
David Weber Dahak series is really good.
And at this link Baen free short stories you can try out all sorts of Sci-Fi authors. Fiction and non fiction.
It’s due to the fact that by and large, science fiction always has been garbage, irrespective how enjoyable this or that book, story, movie, or TV series may have been.
I want the flying car I was promised 50+ years ago.
No kidding
I think we’re more likely to see underground tunnel expressways
Ah yea I haven’t read much newer stuff.. I haven’t read much at all besides news/current events stuff for a good 5-6 years...
Never read much of his kid stuff.. More the adult stuff like Time Enough for Love, Cat Who Walks through Walls, etc.
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