[RightWingAtheist]

One of the reasons I love reading science fiction and fantasy is not that they are realistic, but that they are not real, and that they are a testament to the almost limitless boundaries of human imagination. When we start taking our fantasies of aliens, monsters, ghosts and what not literaly, we are only cheapening our imaginations.

My major appeal for science fiction is that it is based in what Hal Clement called "the disciplined imagination", a mindset based firmly in reason and known fact, and tries to stay in those boundaries-yet still manages to provide the basis for acts of stunning mental creativity. This mindset, of course, is also what leads us to do science as well.

[RadioAstronomer]

One of the reasons I love reading science fiction and fantasy is not that they are realistic, but that they are not real, and that they are a testament to the almost limitless boundaries of human imagination.

I am with you completely. SiFi is what "pushed" me into the space program to begin with. :-)

When we start taking our fantasies of aliens, monsters, ghosts and what not literaly, we are only cheapening our imaginations.

Very well said!

My major appeal for science fiction is that it is based in what Hal Clement called "the disciplined imagination", a mindset based firmly in reason and known fact, and tries to stay in those boundaries-yet still manages to provide the basis for acts of stunning mental creativity. This mindset, of course, is also what leads us to do science as well.

Some people think scientists have no imagination or wonder. However I agree with you on this. I think it is the imagination and wonder that gives them the drive to become scientists.