Science fiction

Science fiction

Science fiction (abbreviated SF or sci-fi with varying punctuation and capitalization) is a broad genre of fiction that often involves speculations on current or future science or technology. Science fiction is found in books, magazines, art, television, films, games, theatre, and other media. In organizational or marketing contexts, science fiction can be synonymous with the broader definition of speculative fiction, encompassing creative works incorporating imaginative elements not found in contemporary reality; this includes fantasy, horror, and related genres.[1]
Science fiction differs from fantasy in that, within the context of the story, its imaginary elements are largely possible within scientifically established or scientifically postulated laws of nature (though some elements in a story might still be pure imaginative speculation). Exploring the consequences of such differences is the traditional purpose of science fiction, making it a "literature of ideas".[2] Science fiction is largely based on writing entertainingly and rationally about alternate possibilities[3] in settings that are contrary to known reality.

Definitions

Definitions

Science fiction is difficult to define, as it includes a wide range of subgenres and themes. Author and editor Damon Knight summed up the difficulty by stating that "science fiction is what we point to when we say it",[7] a definition echoed by author Mark C. Glassy, who argues that the definition of science fiction is like the definition of pornography: you don't know what it is, but you know it when you see it.[8] Vladimir Nabokov argued that if we were rigorous with our definitions, Shakespeare's play The Tempest would have to be termed science fiction.[9]
According to science fiction writer Robert A. Heinlein, "a handy short definition of almost all science fiction might read: realistic speculation about possible future events, based solidly on adequate knowledge of the real world, past and present, and on a thorough understanding of the nature and significance of the scientific method."[10] Rod Serling's definition is "fantasy is the impossible made probable. Science Fiction is the improbable made possible."[11] Lester Del Rey wrote, "Even the devoted aficionado– or fan- has a hard time trying to explain what science fiction is", and that the reason for there not being a "full satisfactory definition" is that "there are no easily delineated limits to science fiction."[12]
Forrest J. Ackerman used the term "sci-fi" at UCLA in 1954.[13] As science fiction entered popular culture, writers and fans active in the field came to associate the term with low-budget, low-tech "B-movies" and with low-quality pulp science fiction.[14]HYPERLINK \l "cite_note-sci-fi_v_sf-14"[15]HYPERLINK \l "cite_note-sci-fi_v_sf_2-15"[16] By the 1970s, critics within the field such as Terry Carr and Damon Knight were using "sci-fi" to distinguish hack-work from serious science fiction,[17] and around 1978, Susan Wood and others introduced the pronunciation "skiffy". Peter Nicholls writes that "SF" (or "sf") is "the preferred abbreviation within the community of sf writers and readers".[18] David Langford's monthly fanzine Ansible includes a regular section "As Others See Us" which offers numerous examples of "sci-fi" being used in a pejorative sense by people outside the genre.[19]

Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington has told Noisecreep that "Out Of Ashes", the forthcoming debut album from his side project, DEAD BY SUNRISE, features lyrics that heavily explore such topics as his own battles with addiction.


"My life was falling apart in many ways that I was writing about on this record in terms of getting divorced, in terms of diving very hard into alcohol and drugs throughout this process," he confessed to Noisecreep.

In "My Suffering", which he describes as a song "literally about [how] being an alcoholic and a drug addict has paid off for me in many ways," he discusses how his addiction has helped him creatively. "I have been able to tap into all the negative things that can happen to me throughout my life by numbing myself to the pain so to speak and kind of being able to vent it through my music," he said. "'Crawling', for example, by LINKIN PARK, is probably the most literal song lyrically I'd ever written for LINKIN PARK and that's about feeling like I had no control over myself in terms of drugs and alcohol. That feeling, being able to write about it, sing about it, that song, those words sold millions of records, I won a Grammy, I made a lot of money. I don't think I could've been inspired to create something like that by watching someone else go through that. So in a lot of ways that's been very constructive for me."

Read more from Noisecreep.

DEAD BY SUNRISE has launched its MySpace page and posted a song there called "Morning After". With its keyboards and layered guitars, the song is reminiscent of what HardDrive Radio calls "the early days of DEPECHE MODE."

"Out Of Ashes" is tentatively scheduled for a September release, with Bennington saying in a statement that the project is "more personal" than anything he's ever done before.

The album's tentative first single is called "Crawl Back In".

Bennington began working on DEAD BY SUNRISE back in 2006, explaining, "I came up with a few songs that felt and sounded really good, but I knew they weren't right stylistically for LINKIN PARK. They were darker and moodier than anything I'd come up with for the band. So I decided to work on them on my own rather than turn them over and have them transformed into LINKIN PARK tracks."

The band, which is Bennington on vocals, guitarists Ryan Shuck and Amir Derakh (from ORGY/JULIEN-K), bassist Brandon Belsky, drummer Elias Anda (also from JULIEN-K), and keyboardist Anthony Valcic, recorded "Out Of Ashes" in Los Angeles with producer Howard Benson (MOTÖRHEAD, MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE).

The band has played just a handful of live shows, but has been confirmed for the lineup of England's Sonisphere festival on August 1-2. The event is headlined by METALLICA and LINKIN PARK.

Linkin Park Cancels Show After Tornado Hits Venue Injuring Fans
Linkin Park Yesterday, Linkin Park were scheduled to perform at Heineken's Jammin' Festival in Imola, Italy when a freak tornado hit the area, uprooting trees, overturning cars, and knocking over sound towers and girders at the festival venue. NME reports 25 people were injured by the falling towers, although none fatally and only one sustained serious fractures.

As a result, Linkin Park alongside Pearl Jam, My Chemical Romance, and The Killers cancelled their performances in the interest of their fans safety. Linkin Park released this statement:

"We are saddened by the events that happened in Venice today and our hearts are with the injured fans and their families. The Linkin Park family wishes them a speedy recovery and hope to see them the next time we visit Italy."