Why sociology matters in science fiction

[@priscillamontoya]

I so appreciate when you list books of a certain topic. Thank you.

[@snovid3306]

I loved the way you included the word grok! (I groked it too.)

[@KevinJohnson-cv2no]

Love your content, particularly your video on Galactic Empires. You take a meta-perspective of science-fiction which is greatly appreciated. Do you ever think you could dissect the trope of the Mega-Corporation in future videos?

[@Sci-FiOdyssey]

Great idea!!!

[@paulymorphous9958]

I always enjoy your videos, and your presentation, Darrel. However, I think you've really set the bar at a new high with this one - not just enjoyable, but informative, well-researched and you touch on real world issues while still dipping into a nice collection of great sci-fi stories.

[@Sci-FiOdyssey]

Thank you 🙏

[@wpsam52]

This was one of the most interesting and engaging videos on science fiction I've seen. Very well done!

[@nonethelesszero7950]

What a great video! Another way of approaching sci-fi (and fantasy) is to think of stories as being more psychological (focused on the psychology of main characters) or more sociological (focused on the sociology of the setting) as the motive force that moves the plot forward. You do this a bit in the latter part of your video (for example "...it primarily looks at the sociology in its sci-fi..." ). A recent fantasy example would be the Game of Thrones show. It was very sociological in the movement of the plot (the social reality mattered as much or more than the characters psychological traits) until the last season when it shifted to a focus on the psychology of the characters and the show failed (because the story was not a psychological story for all the previous seasons--psychological stories can succeed if they stay true to what they are). All stories are both sociological and psychological, but different stories place the motive force of the plot more toward one end of this spectrum or the other. Thanks again for the great video.

[@alvinpablo7773]

Excellent Content!

[@Maddy-nw8vu]

Excellent content. I so enjoy your channel!

[@abaneyone]

Thanks for informing me about The Platform.

[@cassa5461]

Brilliant presentation! I like your video content ideas.

[@alexanderdietrich9943]

Great video, sir; it’s very inspiring. More than a little resonated with the what ifs I have with a project of mine. Also, awesome name for a channel.

[@moragcampbell4266]

Love all your videos! This one is a particular favourite of mine 😀

[@christinamanucy8037]

Thanks for sharing, social sci fi is one of my favorite genres of fiction. I do wish you would include Octavia Butler, a classic author of the genre.

[@Yora21]

With perhaps a few exceptions, "science fiction" has always treated physics, astronomy, and engineering as window dressing. The stories themselves are pretty much always about "how would society change if certain material factors were different?"

[@John_259]

We've seen a fair amount of science fiction recently which features the struggles of an oppressed group. For example The Expanse (the Belters), Handmaid's Tale (women), 3% (the Inlanders), and Snowpiercer (the Tailies).

[@thelifeandtimesofjames4273]

Amazing video! Have you ever read Too like the lightning? That one changed my way of thinking about the future in real life. But the ending sucked so I didn’t continue the series… yet.

[@kerrysanders6668]

Felt the EXACT same about that series/book.

[@thelifeandtimesofjames4273]

@@kerrysanders6668 I think about it very often but I still can’t bring myself to continue it. But it has such an amazing and visual future.

[@abaneyone]

The original Star Trek often felt with these issues.

[@thomassmith6232]

I'm surprised you didn't mention Looking Backward 2000-1887 by Edward Bellamy and its sequel, Equality, which describe a utopian US under socialism. What gets me about these books is that though everyone is depicted as content individual initiative is utterly suppressed. Another is Ayn Rand's Anthem, which describes a socialistic society which is retrogressing technologically, and one man who seeks to start advancement again.

[@tantanthespaceman1923]

Saying “restorative” is the least likely to stick around when Starwars dominates most of cinematic sci-fi is hilarious. It’s hardly saying anything new (literally light vs dark/rebel against evil authority/ don’t give up hope on friends and family), yet it has seemingly lived rent free in the collective consciousness since its creation Because the core of starwars is so basic, like… light vs dark creation myth level basic, I don’t count it to be maintenance. Perhaps maintenance of the formative separation from Britain that has led Americans to idolize being an underdog and rebel, but the more basic themes of good vs bad are more escapism overall in my mind.

[@frankmontez6853]

Yeah this sociology can act as ( c ) a Directive for many readers to look and try to make things here now to how things are done . Verry disturbing to take things too seriously to make them real like " post scarcity " communisn or a godless future .to give a couple glaring examples . It's a fanciful fligjht of escapism nothing more folks . NOT a blueprint for the future or present for that matter LOL

[@wulfhafer66]

I must disagree, diametrically, with your interpretation of Ayn Rand's themes and messaging. She was cheerleader of the poor, oppressed, but always heroically striving capitalist entrepreneurs. This makes me doubt the other interpretations of other 'scifi' authors. My culture, US, embraced Rand's moralizing starting around 1980.. :(