From: rukhsanakhan <irrualli>
Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2001 13:16:59 -0800

The only major sci fi work, which sees the future as positive, that comes to mind is not primarily in book form but rather, Star Trek. In Star Trek all the racial problems were solved, there was sexual 'equality' on board the enterprise, they were even co-operating with alien life forms, albeit hybrid aliens, such as Vulcan Spock.

I believe Gene Rodenberry had wanted it that way.

All the conflict came with the clash of other civilisations and cultures, as well interpretation of the prime directive.

Other sci fi authors I can think of that had some positive future scenarios were Andre Norton and Monica Hughes. I really liked The Keeper Of The Isis Light, trilogy. In fact I believe it won the Phoenix award a few years ago.

Perhaps, since story is about conflict, and conflict is about problems, it is only natural that most sci fi would concern itself with a negative future scenario, a future where technology, evolution, and ecological concerns, etc. go awry. It would make for better story.

One thing that always rather irked me about Sci Fi was the fact that in all the extrapolated scenarios, it was always a quasi-American type of government that emerged.

The only sci-fi I know of, where that isn't the case is The Ear, The Eye and The Arm by Nancy Farmer, which is refreshingly original in that it's an
'African-oriented sci fi'.

Rukhsana
Received on Wed 28 Nov 2001 03:16:59 PM CST