Because at the heart of it, both SF and Fantasy are about what people tend to regard as unrealistic (although arguably all Fiction is unrealistic). My favorite quote is from Philip K. Dick on the difference:
Quote:
"Now to separate science fiction from fantasy. This is impossible to do, and a moment's thought will show why. Take psionics; take mutants such as we find in Ted Sturgeon's wonderful 'More Than Human'. If the reader believes that such mutants could exist, then he will view Sturgeon's novel as science fiction. If, however, he beleives that such mutants are, like wizards and dragons, not possible, nor will ever be possible, then he is reading a fantasy novel. Fantasy involves that which general opinion regards as impossible; science fiction involves that which general opinion regards as possible under the right circumstances. This is in essence a judgement-call, since what is possible and what is not possible is not objectively known but is, rather, a subjective belief on the part of the author and of the reader."
|
There is also the set of fictional tropes that they share. And let's not even get into the debate whether titles like Star Wars, Star Trek, Warhammer 40k, Dune, the Dying Earth, is really science fiction or fantasy...
I'm not a snob, so I'm perfectly fine with paranormal "stuff" being placed in the fantasy section.