Small technical note: The intro music seemed a bit loud. It made it difficult to hear Deborah Coates
"The other issue we had discussed was why I consider this fantasy as opposed to SF since it obviously has SF trappings. It might be interesting to get listeners thinking on this topic. In my opinion, this is clearly fantasy (more precisely, magic realism) since the emphasis is on character over idea credibility. SF ought to focus on what is possible, leaving fantasy to explore what SHOULD be possible."
the technology was deliberately fantastical and impossibleThe technology to get a probe to Mars is not merely possible, but has been historically demonstrated. It's unlikely that the population of a random small town without any prior expertise would be able to properly compute orbits, or fuel-to-payload ratios, but with determination and persistence it's well within the realm of the possible.
In my opinion, this is clearly fantasy (more precisely, magic realism) since the emphasis is on character over idea credibility.That puts the majority of "chick lit" (much as I dislike that term) into the category of "magical realism"
SF ought to focus on what is possible, leaving fantasy to explore what SHOULD be possible.Which would eviscerate some of the best stories in both genres.
QuoteIn my opinion, this is clearly fantasy (more precisely, magic realism) since the emphasis is on character over idea credibility.That puts the majority of "chick lit" (much as I dislike that term) into the category of "magical realism"
The pig farmer in women's panties was.. odd.It was the hardware saleman who wore women's underwear.
Wintermute: The technology to get a probe to Mars is not merely possible, but has been historically demonstrated. It's unlikely that the population of a random small town without any prior expertise would be able to properly compute orbits, or fuel-to-payload ratios, but with determination and persistence it's well within the realm of the possible.
Ragtime 3. The story had a little too "Power of Positive Thinking" about it, and I was sometimes imagining I was sitting in a Self-Help Seminar, or a Business Retreat, surrounded by "Successories" posters saying "If You Believe It, You Can Achieve It!"
I believe you guys are underestimating the rocket potential of the home water heater. Please consider the following: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pu3FwgIHsQA
A big "LOL" to stePH for the de-motivational poster. I'm saving that one.
I believe you guys are underestimating the rocket potential of the home water heater. Please consider the following: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pu3FwgIHsQA
Dude, I used to work for a water heater company in the Seattle area. More than once I heard about water heaters taking flight and landing some distance from the site of installation.
But I'll be sure to check out the link when I get home.
Both Listener and Ocicat summed up my feelings about this story, and why it did not work for me.
But as to whether it was SF or Fantasy -- * shrug * -- I am happy to see a wide genre definition in Podcastle. Rachel is doing a pretty good job of exposing us to a range of fantasy, from magical realism to surrealism to sword and sorcery to revised fairy tales to urban fantasy. I don't care whether stories are fantasy or SF so long as they are good stories.
Hmm
This reminded me a bit of some of Ray Bradbury's rocketship fiction.
Here's a solution to the 'which Podcast should it have been played in' conundrum; None of them. I don't know if it's my natural English cynicism coming up hard against American optimism but stories about American cranks who may have crazy ideas and a lack of technological knowledge but, in the end, wouldn'tyaknowit, are proved right often annoy me unless they are written a hell of a lot better than this.
"Meanwhile, can we expect more Horror and Science-Fiction stories on Podcastle if the authors insist they are actually fantasy?"
You can if I like them enough and feel like accepting them.
Just for you, Chivalrybean:
(http://a935.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/113/l_648109d78b97b896581885430c5cea7e.jpg)
I believe you guys are underestimating the rocket potential of the home water heater. Please consider the following: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pu3FwgIHsQA