Quoted from khamanna So, you all think ghosts are not a sci-fi? It's paranormal and supernatural. So, it's either fantasy or sci-fi. I always thought that fantasy is more like Harry Porter. The reason I'm asking - you all said I didn't stick to the parameters (You May Come In). Even those who voted for it said that. Which is fine. But I'm surprised how's that everyone else thinks differently.

Could continue on my last post here... The SF would be, to me, how she does it that the guy reappears, which wasn't clear to me. But you still captured the SF for me, only slightly, but some was there. It wasn't fully missed imo.

Quoted from khamanna Sorry to ask on the main thread but it's probably good for all to know. So, you all think ghosts are not a sci-fi? It's paranormal and supernatural. So, it's either fantasy or sci-fi. I always thought that fantasy is more like Harry Porter. The reason I'm asking - you all said I didn't stick to the parameters (You May Come In). Even those who voted for it said that. Which is fine. But I'm surprised how's that everyone else thinks differently.

I don't think of ghosts as sci-fi.

Supernatural is not a genre.
Horror they are actually not. There are harmless ghosts. Fantasy - yes. But there are discussions about this on the internet and some say sci-fi. Though I did have a feeling people here would disagree and had to play accordingly.

Just didn't want to settle for something scattered, something that didn't make sense.

Quoted from jayrex I don't think of ghosts as sci-fi.

I do but it comes to atmosphere and tone. It could be any other genre as well, see Ghost, or Casper.

There is also this certain sub genre mystery but I myself don't respect it as a main genre.

So, X-files is more of a SF series to me.

Alex, I answered you on my thread.

First of all, I'd like to say that society and pop culture in general gets too hung up on genre divisions (and yes, I totally do it too).

That said, to me, there are levels to it, and they depend more on the execution and intent of a certain plot point or element rather than the element itself. Some examples of what I mean:

-Alien is plainly a horror film in a sci-fi setting. The monster, at least until recently, was an unknowable and malevolent force that killed without mercy, almost exactly like Michael Myers, Jason Voorhees, etc. The being was monstrous and seemed entirely unnatural. It was Lovecraftian, which is another thing to think about... Cthulhu is basically just a big alien, much like Godzilla is just an irradiated lizard (or prehistoric monster depending on the version). Both of those concepts are sci-fi, yet Cthulhu is largely considered a major figure in horror literature, not science fiction.

-Star Trek is hard sci-fi in a hard sci-fi setting. Though clearly fictional, it at least attempts to make one believe that there's a scientific basis to the bulk of its concepts.

-Star Wars is essentially a fantasy adventure in a sci-fi setting. There is sound in space, mystical monk-like wizards with special powers, swords that power up with magic crystals, unexplained supernatural phenomena, etc. The bulk of its concepts depend on pure magic, despite the sci-fi setting. It's truly more like Lord of the Rings than Star Trek.

To me, there must be some semblance of science to it. Mediums and ghosts do not meet that criteria in and of themselves, unless there's some quantifiable attempt to make those ideas at least pseudo-scientifically possible.

Those are just my two cents.

Wait, who wrote Eat Fresh then?

Quoted from ReaperCreeper First of all, I'd like to say that society and pop culture in general gets too hung up on genre divisions (and yes, I totally do it too). That said, to me, there are levels to it, and they depend more on the execution and intent of a certain plot point or element rather than the element itself. Some examples of what I mean: -Alien is plainly a horror film in a sci-fi setting. The monster, at least until recently, was an unknowable and malevolent force that killed without mercy, almost exactly like Michael Myers, Jason Voorhees, etc. The being was monstrous and seemed entirely unnatural. It was Lovecraftian, which is another thing to think about... Cthulhu is basically just a big alien, much like Godzilla is just an irradiated lizard (or prehistoric monster depending on the version). Both of those concepts are sci-fi, yet Cthulhu is largely considered a major figure in horror literature, not science fiction. -Star Trek is hard sci-fi in a hard sci-fi setting. Though clearly fictional, it at least attempts to make one believe that there's a scientific basis to the bulk of its concepts. -Star Wars is essentially a fantasy adventure in a sci-fi setting. There is sound in space, mystical monk-like wizards with special powers, swords that power up with magic crystals, unexplained supernatural phenomena, etc. The bulk of its concepts depend on pure magic, despite the sci-fi setting. It's truly more like Lord of the Rings than Star Trek. To me, there must be some semblance of science to it. Mediums and ghosts do not meet that criteria in and of themselves, unless there's some quantifiable attempt to make those ideas at least pseudo-scientifically possible. Those are just my two cents.

Some good notes…

I add another one -- Jurassic Park. The whole second half is about the characters running for their lives from deadly dinosaurs.

As for the ghost discussion, if you meant this challenge's entry; don't forget, there also was that whole smartphone messaging thing and researching into those clients' deceased life and sending them messages in the name of… There was some of it that pointed in a certain direction. Take the general idea of an office that works that way… isn't that futuristic? Does it exist that industrialized? The medium f.i. was shown pretty professional to me, not as the creepy sitting in a tent version or weird talkshow guest medium.

That it missed full I wouldn't sign on. There were some aspects and I don't know if you may follow the actual thread, because I for myself thought there is even an explanation how the medium gets them back which just isn't on screen.

It wasn't spot on, there I'd agree.

Quoted from PrussianMosby Some good notes… I add another one -- Jurassic Park. The whole second half is about the characters running for their lives from deadly dinosaurs. As for the ghost discussion, if you meant this challenge's entry; don't forget, there also was that whole smartphone messaging thing and researching into those clients' deceased life and sending them messages in the name of… There was some of it that pointed in a certain direction. Take the general idea of an office that works that way… isn't that futuristic? Does it exist that industrialized? The medium f.i. was shown pretty professional to me, not as the creepy sitting in a tent version or weird talkshow guest medium. That it missed full I wouldn't sign on. There were some aspects and I don't know if you may follow the actual thread, because I for myself thought there is even an explanation how the medium gets them back which just isn't on screen. It wasn't spot on, there I'd agree.

Yes, what I was getting at was that I totally do see why the parameters weren't met for a lot of people, as ghosts aren't typically associated with what most consider sci-fi.

Yep. Understand. It's risky to go there. I also often think so about some light feel good comedies that shall just pass by, exactly as they are designed by their writer. Risky.

Is Ghosts of Mars sci/fi?  

Quoted from MarkItZero Stumpzian that was awesome, man. Amazing dialogue.

Thanks!

I just got in and am catching up on who won and who wrote what. Congratulations to all who entered and to those who moved on to Round 2. Will comment more this evening.

Henry

Quoted from TheUsualSuspect Is Ghosts of Mars sci/fi?

Perhaps. But in order to avoid confusion, I tend to just classify it as crap.

Quoted from TheUsualSuspect Is Ghosts of Mars sci/fi?

Yes. A more fair comparison, though, is whether or not Poltergeist is sci-fi...

Quoted from ReaperCreeper Perhaps. But in order to avoid confusion, I tend to just classify it as crap.

But, I like Ghosts of Mars. At least it was better than Vampires. =)

Quoted from Mr. Blonde Yes. A more fair comparison, though, is whether or not Poltergeist is sci-fi... But, I like Ghosts of Mars. At least it was better than Vampires. =)