I wonder if there is a substantive different in quality and \ or type between authors that are solely or primarily SF and those that happen to write SF.
In the debate Ian M Banks has been referenced. He also writes literary novels under the name Ian Banks. Then there is J G Ballard who writes all types of fiction including SF and D Lessing who is a celebrated 'feminist' author and has also written a fantastic DF series.
On the whole I think find novels by authors that 'also do SF' to be better as works of fiction e.g. better more subtle characterization, better plot structures etc; thought I cannot decide if they are better novels of ideas - if one looks at the writers I have referenced above they certainly do not seem to lack in originally or depth of imagination when it comes to the fiction of possible futures.
One that is simple and surprising and can actually be done and felt by students is to use the following:
1 large gyroscope - wheel with handles on each side can easily be improvised 1 Rotating chair 1 Student
Simply get the student to sit in the chair and hold the gyroscope so its rotational axis is horizontal i.e. the wheel is vertical. Then spin the wheel. Once its spinning the student should be told to tilt the gyroscope to one side - and wow the student and chair will start to move round, tip it the other way and the chair will stop and move in the other direction.
Even as someone with a degree in physics and a good understanding of the conservation of angular momentum it's a spooky experience.
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I wonder if there is a substantive different in quality and \ or type between authors that are solely or primarily SF and those that happen to write SF.
In the debate Ian M Banks has been referenced. He also writes literary novels under the name Ian Banks. Then there is J G Ballard who writes all types of fiction including SF and D Lessing who is a celebrated 'feminist' author and has also written a fantastic DF series.
On the whole I think find novels by authors that 'also do SF' to be better as works of fiction e.g. better more subtle characterization, better plot structures etc; thought I cannot decide if they are better novels of ideas - if one looks at the writers I have referenced above they certainly do not seem to lack in originally or depth of imagination when it comes to the fiction of possible futures.
One that is simple and surprising and can actually be done and felt by students is to use the following:
1 large gyroscope - wheel with handles on each side can easily be improvised
1 Rotating chair
1 Student
Simply get the student to sit in the chair and hold the gyroscope so its rotational axis is horizontal i.e. the wheel is vertical. Then spin the wheel. Once its spinning the student should be told to tilt the gyroscope to one side - and wow the student and chair will start to move round, tip it the other way and the chair will stop and move in the other direction.
Even as someone with a degree in physics and a good understanding of the conservation of angular momentum it's a spooky experience.