5 questions meme
Jun. 10th, 2011 04:21 pmFrom
sabethea
1. Science Fiction or Fantasy - which do you prefer/where do you make the separation/what do you like about them both. (*cheats with a three-in-one question* The general gist is, please ramble on about them.)
Let's see!
I rarely draw a hard line between SF & fantasy - I'm starting to prefer the catchall term "fantastika". When I do separate them, it's usually a contrast between what Darko Suvin referred to as a "novum", ie. the new thing which makes SF SF, and what I've started to think of as a diversa, a change in the metaphysical or moral way the world works, a way of narrativising the universe and justifying the Gods' ways to humanity. Whether that's "good will win out in the end", "the world rewards hard work and trust in your friends", "it's everyone for himself and all things will eventually decay and die", or "face it, everyone is a bastard deep down" that's... how fantasy seems to work. If we're talking about a change in physics or mechanics, or a new invention, that's a novum, but they can often overlap, as with universes where the Ptolemaic model of astronomy is real (since that's to do with the nature & importance of the world) or as with Valente's Habitation of the Blessed, which starts with an inversion of a classic Greek science text.
2. Photography or jewellry/other things making - which do you prefer?
The latter. I like photography, but I don't have enough... handles on it, I suppose... to be able to get the same level of absorbtion and complexity that I do with physical craftsmanship. I know it does have that level of complexity, and can be a fascinating analogue process, but I'm nowhere near that good. Whilst I can get good results, it's not from anything complex.
3. I gather you're coming up to three years dating [info]mirabehn. Congratulations, and how did you two get together?
We both played Satan in a readthrough of the radio series "Old Harry's Game" organised by
midnightmelody.
4. Favourite Diana Wynne Jones book?
It's a tossup between Archer's Goon (the first one I read) and The Dark Lord of Derkholm.
5. Do you play instruments/sing? If so what?
I drum, though not with any great proficiency, and
merrythebard is teaching me to sing.
I may or may not provide some questions to people who ask for them in the comments.
![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
1. Science Fiction or Fantasy - which do you prefer/where do you make the separation/what do you like about them both. (*cheats with a three-in-one question* The general gist is, please ramble on about them.)
Let's see!
I rarely draw a hard line between SF & fantasy - I'm starting to prefer the catchall term "fantastika". When I do separate them, it's usually a contrast between what Darko Suvin referred to as a "novum", ie. the new thing which makes SF SF, and what I've started to think of as a diversa, a change in the metaphysical or moral way the world works, a way of narrativising the universe and justifying the Gods' ways to humanity. Whether that's "good will win out in the end", "the world rewards hard work and trust in your friends", "it's everyone for himself and all things will eventually decay and die", or "face it, everyone is a bastard deep down" that's... how fantasy seems to work. If we're talking about a change in physics or mechanics, or a new invention, that's a novum, but they can often overlap, as with universes where the Ptolemaic model of astronomy is real (since that's to do with the nature & importance of the world) or as with Valente's Habitation of the Blessed, which starts with an inversion of a classic Greek science text.
2. Photography or jewellry/other things making - which do you prefer?
The latter. I like photography, but I don't have enough... handles on it, I suppose... to be able to get the same level of absorbtion and complexity that I do with physical craftsmanship. I know it does have that level of complexity, and can be a fascinating analogue process, but I'm nowhere near that good. Whilst I can get good results, it's not from anything complex.
3. I gather you're coming up to three years dating [info]mirabehn. Congratulations, and how did you two get together?
We both played Satan in a readthrough of the radio series "Old Harry's Game" organised by
![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
4. Favourite Diana Wynne Jones book?
It's a tossup between Archer's Goon (the first one I read) and The Dark Lord of Derkholm.
5. Do you play instruments/sing? If so what?
I drum, though not with any great proficiency, and
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
I may or may not provide some questions to people who ask for them in the comments.