Actor/Actress with the Most Impeccable "Nerd" Credentials (1 Viewer)

[antipop]

Star Wars is not sci-fi

 

[bigdaddysaints]

Star Wars is not sci-fi

explain

 

[antipop]

explain

wizards, elves and swords

 

[bigdaddysaints]

wizards, elves and swords

but also spaceships, aliens, Robots, planet destroying weapons....

 

[antipop]

but also spaceships, aliens, Robots, planet destroying weapons....

so it's Gollum wearing Luke Skywalker Underoos

 

[DaveXA]

Star Wars is not sci-fi

I think it's more space fantasy, but it definitely does have enough sci-fi elements to be considered such, imo.

 

[Sun Wukong]

but also spaceships, aliens, Robots, planet destroying weapons....

Traditionalists believe that "true" sci-fi should have a real science component or deal explicitly with science and it's impact on people. See these definitions from Asimov and Heinlein:

According to Isaac Asimov, "Science fiction can be defined as that branch of literature which deals with the reaction of human beings to changes in science and technology." Robert A. Heinlein wrote that "A handy short definition of almost all science fiction might read: realistic speculation about possible future events, based solidly on adequate knowledge of the real world, past and present, and on a thorough understanding of the nature and significance of the scientific method."

Star Wars uses robots and spaceships to tell a fantasy story set in a space faring society, so by traditional definitions it's not really sci-fi. Its a space opera.

I'd argue modern Doctor Who isn't really, either. Its way more space fantasy than sci-fi. Old school Who depended on the writer.

 

[Grumpy Old Manatee]

This has to be amongst the top 5 strangest disagreements I’ve ever stumbled into.

 

[guidomerkinsrules]

Star Wars is not sci-fi

No need to run
You are correct

 

[guidomerkinsrules]

I think it's more space fantasy, but it definitely does have enough sci-fi elements to be considered such, imo.

But that’s just setting
It’s no more science-y than Harry Potter

 

[Sun Wukong]

But that’s just setting
It’s no more science-y than Harry Potter

The science elements also don't operate on real world known or speculative science. The space ships behave like they move within an atmosphere and make audible sounds in the vacuum of space, for example.

 

[guidomerkinsrules]

The science elements also don't operate on real world known or speculative science. The space ships behave like they move within an atmosphere and make audible sounds in the vacuum of space, for example.

And they got their main technological advancement from space whales

 

[bigdaddysaints]

Traditionalists believe that "true" sci-fi should have a real science component or deal explicitly with science and it's impact on people. See these definitions from Asimov and Heinlein:



Star Wars uses robots and spaceships to tell a fantasy story set in a space faring society, so by traditional definitions it's not really sci-fi. Its a space opera.

I'd argue modern Doctor Who isn't really, either. Its way more space fantasy than sci-fi. Old school Who depended on the writer.

but doesn't Star Wars have the Science Vs Religeon aspect? If anything its both Sci Fi and Fantasy.
Just factor in the Light Saber. its highly sci fi. Its not a magical sword, it requires technology for it to work.
the millennium falcon, Han is constanly fixing it, improving it. talking about hyperspace, and that motivator..
Plus add in the Artificial Intelligence factor of all the Droids and Ships.
But there is plenty of Science in there. just because its not explained in depth doesn't mean its no there.

If you take Star Trek TOS, they didn't go into great deatil about the science. wasn't really until the movies where they went deep into that.
they never really explained how the warp drive worked. Star Trek TOS was just a show about Social Issues that happen to take place in space..

 

[guidomerkinsrules]

but doesn't Star Wars have the Science Vs Religeon aspect? If anything its both Sci Fi and Fantasy.
Just factor in the Light Saber. its highly sci fi. Its not a magical sword, it requires technology for it to work.
the millennium falcon, Han is constanly fixing it, improving it. talking about hyperspace, and that motivator..
Plus add in the Artificial Intelligence factor of all the Droids and Ships.
But there is plenty of Science in there. just because its not explained in depth doesn't mean its no there.

If you take Star Trek TOS, they didn't go into great deatil about the science. wasn't really until the movies where they went deep into that.
they never really explained how the warp drive worked. Star Trek TOS was just a show about Social Issue that happen to take place in space..

It was a technological advancement that lead to being able to explore strange new worlds
Only Jedi/Sith can make like sabers indicating that the Force is the primary (almost sole) factor in making a lightsaber- and finding the right rock
Han and chewie display mechanical skills - if they’re sci-fi then so is Fonzie

 

[Sun Wukong]

but doesn't Star Wars have the Science Vs Religeon aspect? If anything its both Sci Fi and Fantasy.
Just factor in the Light Saber. its highly sci fi. Its not a magical sword, it requires technology for it to work.
the millennium falcon, Han is constanly fixing it, improving it. talking about hyperspace, and that motivator..
Plus add in the Artificial Intelligence factor of all the Droids and Ships.
But there is plenty of Science in there. just because its not explained in depth doesn't mean its no there.

If you take Star Trek TOS, they didn't go into great deatil about the science. wasn't really until the movies where they went deep into that.
they never really explained how the warp drive worked. Star Trek TOS was just a show about Social Issues that happen to take place in space..

Those are all just trappings to tell a story. The science isn't the focus. The story isn't about how they got to that point technologically or how the technology has impacted them. And again, their science had no basis in real current or speculative science, which is the other importsnt definitional aspect of sci-fi. Much of their stuff is powered or made possible by magic crystals (kyber).

Star Trek had a lot of techno babble bullshirt but the space ships behave like space ships and a lot of explanations of things (especially from TNG onward) made an attempt to incorporate real science.

Lucas was inspired by Flash Gordon. He wanted to tell a pulpy adventure story in space, not something that focused on science and its impact.