Robert J. Sawyer: "A Galaxy Far Far Away" My Ass! (1/3)

Hugo and Nebula Award-winning author Robert J. Sawyer explains how Star Wars has dulled the edge that made science fiction such a pertinent film genre.

Episode 1: Planet of the Apes, Star Trek & Frankenstein
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3s2p05OAmU

Episode 2: H.G. Wells & Jules Verne
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIBaUpwC0ls

Episode 3: Star Wars
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7zN2Na7bTQ

The audio of the full lecture can be found here:
http://www.sfwriter.com/2008/02/rob-sawyer-sf-lecture-on-tvontario.html

This is a fan-made slideshow. All images belong to the original copyright holders.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• science
• fiction
• star
• wars
• george
• lucas
• trek
• planet
• apes
• mary
• shelley
• frankenstein

[purplelev]

I like Star Wars and probably always will but this is a really good rant none the less very intelligent and Robert J. Sawyer makes many good points.

[LLC149]

Science Fiction writers are our modern day "Philosopher Kings" and Robert J. Sawyer is a leader even among our Philosopher Kings, with a gift for the delivery of a message both in writing and verbally. This three part video is a joy to watch.

[Antellus1]

You make some very interesting comparisons between what the producers of film nowadays think is "science fiction" and real science fiction. But what it takes on their part is a commitment to honor the thrust of the original authors toward making the point. I agree with your assessment of Star Trek as a pivotal focus, and 2001 has proved to be a predictor of the progress of modern tech. But Star Wars ultimately made a point, too, even if we are too mired in the special effects to notice.

[roadsideray]

Isn't there a parallel, and thus a social commentary, between the Jedi and the religious clergy of our day? The Clergy pretending to holy and celibate while also molding politics and public opinion to it's advantage.

[DIYDSP]

When I was a kid my babysitter had one of the first VCRs. So, we watched movies over and over again. To me, Superman was a much better movie than Star Wars. I was very surprised when I reached college and found that Star Wars was so popular.

[dinotles]

Stars wars is Space Opera... It's nothing sciency about it except gadgets... It's all form and poetry... They have spaceships that makes SOUND... in SPACE... How do spaceships make sounds? Do they leak gasses or something? But Earl sci fi WAS pretty high brow... War of the worlds, 1984, Clockwork Orange... Moebius' comics.... But there ARE some good modern sci fi as well... "12 Monkeys" is excellent

[machtlos]

Wasn't THX1138 a sci fi..a good, respectable one..made in 1971?

[Geekman333]

I think he's right to an extent. Star Wars is 'pop' sci-fi. Don't expect anything deep. Now, Hollywood is just shit all about money and less about 'film'. Like sci-fi? Simple. Iain M. Banks or Greg Bear...you won't regret it unless you're illiterate.

Peace.

[Jelperman]

This guy is an idiot.

Logan's Run was released in 1976.

[pirateking193]

@Ratama what he says is crud. the films have several great messages (love and forgiveness, find the good in everone, no one is born evil, be loyal to your friends); what's more, a lot of the old sci fi went out of style and star wars did help make it more socially acceptable. plus it opened the way for other sci fi films such as children of men. escapism has always had a place in sci fi; denying otherwise is foolish. go to reddit and google this subject. the comments have good arguements

[rab200]

'night of the living dead' also came out in 1968 with some powerful social commentary in its own right