Quote:
Originally Posted by Worldwalker
The term "sci-fi" has long been considered pejorative. Some people use it today without realizing that, but to many long-time fans, it's highly insulting both to the genre and to the people who enjoy reading it. "Sci-fi" is a term applied to hokey, Buck-Rogers-y, often juvenilistic, trash. (come to think of it, the Sci-Fi Channel might have named itself very aptly)
"Sci-fi" is neutral to people who don't understand its past and context, and highly insulting to those who do. Depending on who you're talking to, it can be almost the "n-word" of science fiction fandom. "SF" is neutral to everyone. Why insult people when you don't have to?
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Interesting. I've been a science fiction/fantasy reader for decades (btw love David W., looking forward to reading the new HH) and used to work in a book store. Never heard this before from any of my "geek" friends. Wouldn't have a clue if you said SF. (And anyway I
like Buck Rogers, lol).
I do know that many people are insulted by the stuff that gets classified as sci-fi/fantasy which is really neither - not every book which takes place in the future is really "speculative fiction" Of course the lines between genres are really starting to be blurred these days.
