It's a fine but useful distinction. "Sci-fi" is as SF is imaginned by outsiders.
The kind of people who say: "thanks Gene for showing your idea Star Trek. But we've decided to go with a similar show Lost on Space"
Although mainly space-opera, Star Trek had asopirations of, and occasionally achieved Science Fiction. Lost on Space never aimaed to be and was never more than skiffy.
Although mainly space-opera, Star Trek had asopirations of, and occasionally achieved Science Fiction. Lost on Space never aimaed to be and was never more than skiffy.<<
Not entirely true, LOST IN SPACE's first seven episodes were more like real science fiction .
Same with Star Trek, the first few episodes of the first season were the best - after that, it became all messagey(as in Lefty)