Weird Tales of Fictional Science! (mostly about Star Trek for my part)

[Nique]

So greed suggested we try this after a brief exchange in the opinion thread.

Basically I touched on some things that I liked about various Star Trek series, and some things that I felt betrayed the principals of the franchise. Like, it is the only show that I kind of hold accountable in that way becuase it attempts to comment on society in meaningful ways that are both pointed and broad while remaining remarkably accessible.

This kind of leads into a larger discussion about science fiction and it's evolution from pulp into a vehicle for effective social commentary. Personally, I feel that it's important that the genre continue to be used in this manner, and I worry that it is an aspect that might become lost in favor of marketability with it's increasing mainstream appeal.

For instance, I didn't feel like the 2009 Star Trek was a betrayal in the same way that 'Enterprise' was, but it didn't really embrace the spirit of the franchise either. That doesn't mean that the films following in this continuity will not do so, but the focus on blockbuster action (and also strobe lights and shaky camera I guess) in this film had me concerned. Not to say that I didn't enjoy it.

What science fiction are you a fan of? What are your thoughts on Star Trek, or the entire genre of science fiction?