[ExI] emotional deficits in sci-fi

[Giulio Prisco]

This was a flaw of classical “golden age” science fiction, but contemporary
science fiction is not always like that.

On 2022. Mar 24., Thu at 15:55, William Flynn Wallace via extropy-chat <
extropy-chat at lists.extropy.org> wrote:

> I have been reading sci-fi for nearly 70 years (first book Farmer in the
> Sky).  I have finally noticed something:
>
> The characters in the books are on the other end of the scale from
> hypersensitivity.  They are dullards.
>
> When contact is made with aliens or alien technology or artifacts, there
> is some surprise, but very soon it's all matter of fact - highly
> interested, still, but not afraid.
>
> Fear is our strongest emotion and it is tailor made for reacting to aliens
> - which means strong fear and strong suspicions and so on.
>
> When did you ever read of a character fainting?  Having a panic attack?
> Running away?  Or any other sign of great fear?
>
> Apparently nearly all of the characters are heroes of some sort who just
> don't show fear.  They do say it sometimes.  But don't act that way.
> People in intense fear make mistakes, are clumsy, make poor decisions.
>
> In other words:  the main problem with scifi is that it is unrealistic!
>
> Thought for the day:  twin sisters 100 years old, on how they have lived
> so long.  One - "Well, we just have never died."     Cymbal crash
>
> bill w
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