FNZAK@WEIZMANN.BITNET (Omer Zak) (12/17/87)
Concerning the recent arms-limitation treaty between USA and USSR:
A point of view which could be adopted by a science fiction author (but
I never saw a Sci-Fi story with this kind of theme) is that it was very
fortunate for Earth people to have had this kind of arms race.
If we assume that mankind is not alone in space, it is possible that
there are warrior/enslaving races out in space. Should such a race
have interest in conquering Earth, Earth would have been totally helpless
against their presumably superior technology.
However, thanks to the arms race, mankind has in its disposal the materials
and technology which allow Earth to be not-so-helpless against an invasion
from space. Even technologically superior invasion force may find it hard
to win against a planet which has tons and tons of plutonium in its
inventories.
As practical matter, I suggest that the American and Soviet sides
consider converting their nuclear arsenal into one which is suitable for
fighting invasion from space (the controversial star wars program fits
in, too). It would probably require stronger rockets than the ones presently
available. Such arsenal would be suitable also for mutual deterring, a
function which is regrettably necessary and can't be done away with (lest
we all would be in the mercy of a tyrant who manages to put his hand
over nuclear weapons arsenal.
--- Omer
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<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>msb@sq.uucp (Mark Brader) (12/24/87)
> A point of view which could be adopted by a science fiction author (but > I never saw a Sci-Fi story with this kind of theme) is that it was very > fortunate for Earth people to have had this kind of arms race. > If we assume that mankind is not alone in space, it is possible that > there are warrior/enslaving races out in space. ... Two recent stories that have considered the matter of the nuclear arsenal and malevolent aliens are the novel "Footfall" by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle, and the short story "The Mick of Time", in the anthology "Callahan's Secret" by Spider Robinson. I would be surprised if there are not others. By the way, most sf fans consider the form "sci-fi" a pejorative. (I make this remark only for purposes of informing.) Mark Brader, SoftQuad Inc., Toronto, utzoo!sq!msb, msb@sq.com "But even though they probably certainly know that you probably wouldn't, they don't certainly know that although you probably wouldn't there's no probability that you certainly would." -- Sir Humphrey Appleby ("Yes, Prime Minister") on nuclear deterrence
rupp@cod.NOSC.MIL (William L. Rupp) (12/24/87)
In article <1987Dec23.162159.16826@sq.uucp> msb@sq.UUCP (Mark Brader) writes: >> >> >>By the way, most sf fans consider the form "sci-fi" a pejorative. >>(I make this remark only for purposes of informing.) >> >>Mark Brader, SoftQuad Inc., Toronto, utzoo!sq!msb, msb@sq.com Well, that has always been my feeling and understanding, but when I pointed this out to a Usenet poster a while back I received a mild rebuke. This person had never heard of such a bias (i.e., against the term "sci-fi"), and thought it was unreasonable of me to raise the issue. I wonder if it's a generational thing. I first started reading science fiction about 1956 or 1957. "sf" is the term that was used in fandom and in the magazines. "Sci-fi" was, and is, used by journalists who, perhaps, don't know a faster-than-light drive from third gear. For that reason I have found the term offensive. Maybe younger science fiction fans got their initial exposure to the genre via television, so their reaction is different. For me, it's either "science fiction" or "sf"!!!!!! Bill ====================================================================== I speak for myself, and not on behalf of any other person or organization .........................How's that, Gary? ======================================================================
richard@a.cs.okstate.edu (Richard Brown) (12/26/87)
in article <931@cod.NOSC.MIL>, rupp@cod.NOSC.MIL (William L. Rupp) says: > > In article <1987Dec23.162159.16826@sq.uucp> msb@sq.UUCP (Mark Brader) writes: > >> > >> > >>By the way, most sf fans consider the form "sci-fi" a pejorative. > >>(I make this remark only for purposes of informing.) > >> > >>Mark Brader, SoftQuad Inc., Toronto, utzoo!sq!msb, msb@sq.com > I have no such feeling, even though I too have been readina the genre since , uhh, long ago. I enjoy the 'hard science' (e.g. Asimov, Clarke) and the 'updated western' (e.g. Heinlein, Star Wars) as well as sword and sorcery. My ultimate library will contain the complete works of Asimov (ok, so it's a b.i.g. library), clarke, Heinlien (sp), Niven, deCamp, and Douglas Adams, not to overrlook Tolkein. The term used to describe it is of less intrest, to me, than the content so described. So go ahead with sf, sci-fi, or even speculative fiction. As long as it's well written, entertaining, informative, and mind-expanding, I'lll read it with pleasure. One man's opinion... (sorry about the typo's. this tube doesn't do ISPF) -- ---- MAY THE FARCE BE WITH YOU ---- Richard Brown -- Oklahoma State University -- Computer Science UUCP: {cbosgd, ihnp4, rutgers}!okstate!richard ARPA: richard@A.CS.OKSTATE.EDU
shane@pepe.cc.umich.edu (Shane Looker) (12/27/87)
In article <931@cod.NOSC.MIL> rupp@cod.nosc.mil.UUCP (William L. Rupp) writes: >In article <1987Dec23.162159.16826@sq.uucp> msb@sq.UUCP (Mark Brader) writes: > >>By the way, most sf fans consider the form "sci-fi" a pejorative. > >>(I make this remark only for purposes of informing.) > >I wonder if it's a generational thing. I first started reading science >fiction about 1956 or 1957. "sf" is the term that was used in fandom >and in the magazines. "Sci-fi" was, and is, used by journalists who, >perhaps, don't know a faster-than-light drive from third gear. For I don't know if this is generational or not. I'm of a younger generation (or used to be). I didn't mind the term "Sci-Fi" in the past, but I get more and more annoyed with it as time goes on. I suspect that this is because it is used by the bubble-head generation of TV reporters. They tend to shove all SF, Fantasy, and anything they don't understand in to the "sci-fi" section of their minds. These are the people who start their newscasts with "President Reagan's Space Defense Inititive, 'Star Wars' as it is commonly known..." They decided what to call it for the "simple people", then shove it down everybody's throats. That is why I now hate the term "Sci-Fi". Shane Looker | "He's dead Jim, shane@pepe.cc.umich.edu | you grab his tricorder, uunet!umix!pepe.cc.umich.edu!shane | I'll get his wallet." Looker@um.cc.umich.edu