Your favourite kind of SF...

[Warped9]

What is your favourite kind of science fiction? Alternate history, space adventure, military SF, time travel, near future, alternate universe, science fantasy, superheroes, social allegory, whatever.

And, of course, different kinds can be mixed together, but what is your overall preference?

Of course, execution makes all the difference, and so that's why over the years I can enjoy different types of SF. But overall my preference is for space adventure. Sadly at present there's little real space adventure to be had.

Anyone else?

 

[StarshipDefiant]

I suppose, in a forced choosing, I'd say a space adventure/drama, as they are the ones I seem to have seen and liked the most of (Star Trek, Star Wars, Babylon 5, Battlestar Galactica, Etc...), but really...it'd be down to what I consider a good story (and I know that's not really an answer there, sorry). Basically, if any of the above can present a story that I can get into, I will enjoy it and like it, so there's no real 'preference' per se, I mean, space adventures are pretty cool, but there's also something to say about a show that's grounded and not overwhelmed in mythology or excess locations, etc....

 

[Argus Skyhawk]

I love space adventures, having grown up on Star Wars and Star Trek, but lately I've found myself interested in the subtle SF and fantasy stories with down-to-Earth settings of the type found in many Ray Bradbury stories, such as the ones in The October Country. Yes, I know Bradbury wrote space adventures too.

If I was asked for a preference between Soft SF and Hard SF, I would choose a middle ground between the two. Stories for me do not have to be scientifically accurate, but I appreciate it when they are, and I roll my eyes when people claim realistic SF would have to be boring.

If I was asked to choose between optimistic technology-is-inherently-good stories (like Star Trek or the works of Asimov) or pessimistic technology-is-inherently-dangerous stories (like Frankenstein or Terminator or the works of Michael Crichton) I would say it depends on my mood. The optimistic stories more closely reflect my worldview, but dystopian post-apocalyptic futures can be lots of fun.

If I was asked to choose between written SF and filmed SF, I would say written, but I have to confess that I am not all that well-read in SF. I'm working on it.

 

[Warped9]

I really enjoyed the first season of Earth Final Conflict and some films like Minority Report, Bicentennial Man, Terminator 2 and original Planet of The Apes which strictly speaking aren't space adventure, but they were decently done.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

I appreciate a really well written time travel story - because I know how rare that is/how hard to pull off.

To read, I like something freaky and mind-bending like Philip K. Dick.

For movies/TV shows, I like the visual element and big scope that space opera brings.

 

[Mr Light]

I like epic military space opera like Star Wars and Babylon 5 and Deep Space Nine.

 

[StarshipDefiant]

If I was asked to choose between optimistic technology-is-inherently-good stories (like Star Trek or the works of Asimov) or pessimistic technology-is-inherently-dangerous stories (like Frankenstein or Terminator or the works of Michael Crichton) I would say it depends on my mood. The optimistic stories more closely reflect my worldview, but dystopian post-apocalyptic futures can be lots of fun.

What about a hybrid of the idea, sort of a the technology is good or bad, simply depending on who is in control of it? I suppose that's somewhat of a "Well, duh" type of line but I guess I mean a middle ground where bad things with technology comes from people intentionally doing bad things with it, and good things, and so on... Maybe that's kind of a lame way of thinking or story, IDK.

 

[aelius]

What is your favourite kind of science fiction? Alternate history, space adventure, military SF, time travel, near future, alternate universe, science fantasy, superheroes, social allegory, whatever.

Yes.

 

[RegFan]

If I was asked to choose between optimistic technology-is-inherently-good stories (like Star Trek or the works of Asimov) or pessimistic technology-is-inherently-dangerous stories (like Frankenstein or Terminator or the works of Michael Crichton) I would say it depends on my mood. The optimistic stories more closely reflect my worldview, but dystopian post-apocalyptic futures can be lots of fun.

I prefer more dystopian futures. While the optimistic stories are closer to my worldview, the dystopian futures are just better for conflict.

I like fairly serious (but not as serious as BSG, the series gets rather depressing in the last two seasons) space opera with a strong emphasis on the characters the most. I don't care much about social allegories, I just want good entertainment.

I like moderately hard space operas the most. FTL travel is pretty much a requirement and it's best to ignore some science when it gets in the way of good storytelling.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Anything Trek.

 

[RoJoHen]

Space Opera, without a doubt.

 

[Mistral]

Alternate History. Time travel. Big, honking space battles(if a visual medium).

 

[RoJoHen]

Alternate History. Time travel. Big, honking space battles(if a visual medium).

And if you can mix them all together in the same story, AWESOME!

 

[Gojira]

Time travel, future space adventure/drama, alternate universe/history. I also love superhero movies and giant monster movies.

 

[princessariel]

I like ordinary people developing super powers so superheroes is for me.

 

[Ensign_Redshirt]

Cyberpunk and space opera

 

[Greg Cox]

At heart, I'm more WEIRD TALES than ANALOG. Growing up, I always prefered Matheson and Lovecraft and Leiber and Sturgeon to, say, Heinlein or whomever.

 

[Admiral2]

space adventure, military SF, near future, science fantasy, superheroes

^^^Mine, with military sci-fi overall

 

[Rii]

Social allegory. I'm surprised I'm the first to opt for that one, considering its prevalence in Trek.

 

[T J]

What is your favourite kind of science fiction? Alternate history, space adventure, military SF, time travel, near future, alternate universe, science fantasy, superheroes, social allegory, whatever.

Yes.

Ditto!