Since it shows that differing between SF and Fantasy is wery near to differing between mythical and hard sciences I'm curious what the crowd here 'll make out of following statement:
- Alchemy is early chemistry and physics wrapped into mythology as calculative and material aid (specific chants serve as time measure; ritual clothing/tools as seldom used are cleaner than common, thus analogous helpful as "lab equipment") whereby the subjects assumes the wrong aspects i.e. religious or mythical as helpful in succeeding.
- Real magic (as opposed to stage tricks) is psionics wrapped in mythology as aid for visualisation and energy channeling. Mythology is just a toolbox for the brain in this case.
This isn't meant as a joke I'd be honestly interested in opinions.