SS Radio #276: At The Movies With Rip

[Mark Rippetoe]

At the Movies with Rip | Starting Strength Radio #276

[Satch12879]

The definition we used in Dr. Franklin’s science fiction course was that science fiction involved the use of a technology as the primary means to explore a moral or philosophical question or problem. The technology had to be something not extant at the time of writing the work or a speculative means by which something could be accomplished, e.g., faster-than-light space travel, anti-gravity, cybernetics, sentient artificial intelligence, etc. The technology is integral to the plot or theme. In other words, the technology asks the question.

In Frankenstein, the question is, “can man, himself, create life?” It’s also, “is life a natural or supernatural phenomenon?” Even more so, “what about the soul, conscience, morals, ethics?” The means by which these questions are asked was via Victor Frankenstein’s surgical, chemical, and electrical technology. “If man can really have this power, should he?”

Star Wars does not meet this definition, whereas, Star Trek only sometimes does.

So, Rip, your instincts were right on.

[VincePIC]

Don Rickles should play Rip.