[Aleya]

Why do some writers famously take huge exception to folk calling the genre SciFi and not Science Fiction? I've never quite understood this. Does anyone here feel the same way?

Also, anyone have any stories about instances when these offences took place? (No doubt good old Harlan will feature here http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/wink.gif)

Aleya - http://silver-oak.com

[FitzChivalry]

Yeah, i don't really understand it, it's just easier to say or write it like that...

[Bardos]

I agree.

[Shehzad]

well, as I have objected in the past to science fiction being called sci-fi, I think I should be the logical one to answer this... At my peak, when i had time to read as much as I wasnted to I would go through old second hand magazines I found, like Asimov's, Magazine of F&SF and Analog. There would often be articles in these magazines deriding so-and-so book or so-and-so movie as "sci-fi". Apparently a critic came up with the term sci-fi as a way to mock the genre. Though I'm not clear on the exact details, I believe it was something along the lines of "you sci-fi guys think you're so hi-fi". Gradually, among the aficionados, the term came to symbolize BAD science fiction. Any pulpy, low-brow, campy science-fictionish movie, novel or TV program would be described as sci-fi among the hardcore fans. For example, 2001 is science fiction, Lost in Space is sci-fi.

And on the point that it's easier to write and say... well we fans much MUCH prefer the term "SF"... its even easier to write and say.

So will this have an impact or am I fighting a losing war???

[Erebus]

Excuse my ignorance, but isn't Sci-Fi just an abbreviation for Science Fiction, regardless of its worth or quality?

[Shehzad]

(exasperatedly) i think i better give up... As Asimov said... "The gods themselves..." http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif j/k

[Aleya]

Well that certainly explains a good bit. Thanks for the insight.

I take your point about SF, and around other fans it's easier to use and say, but since I find myself writing and posting in various other places around the net, and particularly having to keep things clear on my own site, I find that the abbreviated SF is sometimes confusing to the less intuitive fans who are only starting out. On the other hand I know of the dislike for SciFi, so I always end up writing the interminable and ominous 'Science Fiction' every single time.

Yes I know that sounds unbelievable, but it's seriouly true. Especially when dealing with the web development forums I post to - they assume SF is some new kind of scripting language or protocol http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

Some writers have just taken this too far though. Harlan Ellison reportedly walked out of a television interview on the first question because the reviewer used the term SciFi. That's just plain ridiculous. But then Harlan isn't the sanest of folk at times.

I guess maybe the older generation find it more offensive, and the younger either don't get it, or don't care.

Aleya - http://silver-oak.com

[Cadfael]

Well... I think I could be called 'of the older generation', and I term it Sci-Fi when I am writing for speed, but I rarely say sci-fi when I am speaking, it is Science Fiction then.

[Shehzad]

Well, I'm of the younger generation, but you'll never see ME using those words.... And about carrying it too far, well I haven't walked off the forum yet have I?

[Cadfael]

I don't think it really matters, and is really a question of personal taste.

The is a precident for taking a derogative term, adopting it and throwing it right back at the originator. We the English used to term 'POME' (Prisoner of Mother England) to describe people who had been sent to Australia in the penal colonies. Australians now refer to the English as pommes, b/c we are now prisoners of mother England, and they live in the one of the most beautiful places on Earth. BTW, it is not my intention to suggest that all Australians come from criminals, so no flaming please.