Discussion thread - SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE August 2013

[Ursa major]

A thread to discuss the August 2013 75-word challenge - but you knew that - plus, in particular, the meaning of Social SF and its terrifying offspring (by which I mean your entries to the Challenge).

Have some (sociable) fun!



.

 

[Karn Maeshalanadae]

Hmm. I have a rough idea of how to tackle this, but the specifics as yet elude me...let's just hope my middle and high school experiences haven't abandoned me here.

 

[Bowler1]

I'm not feeling that sociable this morning, what the hell is Social SF?

I'll have to do some research, of all things!

 

[Mr Orange]

I'm not feeling that sociable this morning, what the hell is Social SF?

I'll have to do some research, of all things!

phew glad i'm not the only one... a quick search reveals it's kinda like sci-fi with feelings - not just all about the ray guns

 

[Abernovo]

Cool theme and genre!

I'm not feeling that sociable this morning, what the hell is Social SF?

I'll have to do some research, of all things!

Broadly, science fiction with sociological/societal themes, by my understanding. So, waiting in the line to see if you get selected for an extra asteroid mining shift, because you need money for your family's meals. Everyday life, often. As opposed to hard science topics.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Cool theme and genre!



Broadly, science fiction with sociological/societal themes, by my understanding. So, waiting in the line to see if you get selected for an extra asteroid mining shift, because you need money for your family's meals. Everyday life, often. As opposed to hard science topics.

Except that when it does what we sort of like to do anyway, I always feel the burden of responsibility to churn out something good. But, yeh, cool theme, Glen.

 

[Bowler1]

a quick search reveals it's kinda like sci-fi with feelings - not just all about the ray guns

I'm glad someone can see my problem.

If I ever win, it's going to be RAY GUNS....

It's going to be an up hill struggle for me this month, I'm not really a feelings type of guy!

 

[Tywin]

Shot, over.

 

[Glen]

Have the

RAY GUNS...

but tell us what society is like when it has

RAY GUNS...

in it.

Oh dear. I hope I am not proving too unpopular for this choice. I always figured if I ever won I'd choose something like a theme of slapstick in a genre of stand-up, but something made me get all serious.

I reckon some of the best speculative fiction ever falls in the category of Social Sci-Fi - think 1984, Brave New World...or just read the following list. I think some of them have robots and stuff, perhaps even

RAY GUNS...

Best Social Science Fiction (146 books)

PS Thanks Ursa for setting up the threads.

 

[Mith]

Interesting theme, made the brain cells work on their day off

Sci-Fi isn't generally my thing, but I hope I've managed to hit the theme

 

[Bowler1]

Don't worry, Glen I recover quickly, usually after a session down the shooting range using my vast selection of RAY GUNS to blow off steam, and blow stuff up, melt stuff and vaporise stuff - you get the idea.

I've already drafted one version this morning, but it didn't feel hooky enough so I went down the shooting range again. It's a good theme, mate - I just hope the national grid can keep re-charging my RAY GUN batteries while I wait for my muse to strike.

 

[Abernovo]

Except that when it does what we sort of like to do anyway, I always feel the burden of responsibility to churn out something good. But, yeh, cool theme, Glen.

Oh, yes, I know that feeling.

Bowler, I'm sure you'll stun us with your entry.
(Heh, stun, geddit? Sorry. Slinking away. )

 

[Bowler1]

I think I electrocuted myself when re-charging a battery!

I got hit with something, it was no stun setting that’s for sure - I’ve posted.

 

[ratsy]

I'm right behind you bowler so don't fire off a mirror or anything!

Inspiration hit and I had to post already. Why do I do this to myself every month?

 

[TheDustyZebra]

I reckon some of the best speculative fiction ever falls in the category of Social Sci-Fi - think 1984, Brave New World...or just read the following list.
Best Social Science Fiction (146 books)

Interesting theme/genre, Glen!

And an interesting list there, as well. Almost everything I would expect to be on there, except I can't imagine how Flowers for Algernon has escaped it. I'll have to remember my password to sign in and add it.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Interesting theme/genre, Glen!

And an interesting list there, as well. Almost everything I would expect to be on there, except I can't imagine how Flowers for Algernon has escaped it. I'll have to remember my password to sign in and add it.

It was practically my sci fi bookcase (minus some space opera) in a list. I now have a sub-genre. I feel very happy.

 

[TheDustyZebra]

Yeah, if I manage to sign in, I suspect it will tell me that I have at least 100 of those books in my personal list. Some of them I didn't recognize, probably newer stuff. I haven't really read much new stuff ...err... ever. By the time I get around to it, it's already old.

 

[Karn Maeshalanadae]

Yeah, I got mine up.


Hehe, it seems a lot of people are choosing the dystopian route with this genre...myself included. But hey, it's what I know of what falls under social sf. *Shrugs*

 

[RoninJedi84]

Before I post, I just have a quick question.

If I use a serial number, say something like A4716-11, that counts as one word, yes?

I'm pretty sure it does, but thought I'd get clarification so I don't get booted for going over the count.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

My favorite genre of SF. Thank you, Glen.

For a long time I have said that the finest SF story is "Flowers for Algernon" and the finest SF novel is Stand on Zanzibar, so this is my cup of tea.