You've got fantasy on my science fiction

[pbray]

A number of discussions in LJ and other blogsplots on defining the genres. I'm more of a seat of the pants person-- "I know it when I see it," but aireon shared a definition that I really like.

A science fiction universe is one in which the universe is finite, that is, it is assumed that all things can, in the end, eventually, even if not within the time frame of the story, be understood (measured, quantified, etc).

A fantasy universe is one in which the universe is infinite; there will always be things that can't be understood.

Comments

[libwitch.livejournal.com]

ST and SW are sci fi - they could be true, given a sudden advance in technology.

Eh, as pbray pointed out my definition is very simplistic, but it was given to a group of people who recommend what to read, and not write it!