We read the stories "Who's Cribbing" (about the author whose stories are stolen by a time traveler) and "The Good Provider" (about the time machine used for shopping) on Monday, March 29. If you have further comments about either story, please post them here.
Please write a brief post for each day you work on the Alien Planet Project in class. Focus on your contributions to your group: ideas, leadership, products.
Post any additional comments about the story "Puppet Show" here. You might discuss the implications of the two "tests" that the aliens give the earth people. Did we pass the tests? What does this imply about us? What is the story's conclusion about xenophobia?
Post your comments about Harlan Ellison's story "'Repent, Harlequin!' said the Ticktockman" here. You might address the story's extrapolations (likely? reasonable?) or style, or compare it to other "rebels of the future" films or stories you are aware of.
We read "The Post-Mortem People" by Peter Tate in class on February 1 and 3. Please comment about the story here. Some questions you might address:
Considering that the story was written in 1966, were the author's extrapolations reasonable or accurate
In the story, Anton Hejar argues that he performs a "service" in a world where standards have changed, that the benefits to the living outweigh the disservice to the dead and their loved ones. What do you think of his argument?
Like many SF stories, "The Post-Mortem People" explores the ethical issues created by advancing technology. What are some similar ethical issues raised by the real-world technology of 2010?
Now that you have heard your classmates' ideas about the schools of 2050, please post a response here. Which extrapolations seem the most likely to come true? What was the most interesting idea you heard? Overall, which seemed to be the most prevalent ideas?
If you have additional comments about the Philip K. Dick story "Sales Pitch," which we read in class no January 25 and 27, post them here. You might try to make connections between your pet commercial peeves and the author's extrapolations.
Please comment on what you learned from the installment of the SF Slide Show that we watched Monday, January11. Focus on one piece of information that you found surprising, interesting, or worth remembering.
There seem to be as many definitions of science fiction as there are SF readers. Based on your current understanding, how would you define science fiction? Please post your answer here.