November 14, 2008

Science and Fiction--An Open Call

ScienceOnline09 is an annual science communication conference that brings together scientists, bloggers, educators, and students to discuss promoting public understanding of science. Peggy Kolm and I will be moderating a session on science fiction as a tool for science communication. We're looking for input on the topic and to start an online conversation between science fiction writers and science bloggers.

Participation is easy:

Questions about science and its relationship to science fiction are posted below and at Biology in Science Fiction. Send us a link to your answers on your own blog or post the link the comments at either site. If you're a writer without a blog, you can post your answers directly at either site.

We will then collect links to the posts on the ScienceOnline09 conference wiki, as well as our own blogs, and facilitate a discussion on the different ways science and science fiction are used.

Questions for Science Fiction Writers
  • Why are you writing science fiction in particular? What does the science add?
  • What is your relationship to science? Have you studied or worked in it, or do you just find it cool? Do you have a favorite field?
  • How important is it to you that the science be right? What kind of resources do you use for accuracy?
  • Are there any specific science or science fiction blogs you would recommend to interested readers or writers?

Questions for Science Bloggers
  • What is your relationship to science fiction? Do you read it? Watch it? What/who do you like and why?
  • What do you see as science fiction's role in promoting science, if any? Can it do more than make people excited about science? Can it harm the cause of science?
  • Have you used science fiction as a starting point to talk about science? Is it easier to talk about people doing it right or getting it wrong?
  • Are there any specific science or science fiction blogs you would recommend to interested readers or writers?

Thanks for taking part, and we look forward to your answers!

11 comments:

Peggy K said...

My post is up at Biology in Science Fiction:

Science and Fiction: What do You Think?

Stephanie Zvan said...

Thanks, Peggy. I added it in the body of the post, too.

Anonymous said...

What ever happened to the British Interplanetary Society and that whole gig?

Simon Haynes said...

I've just responded to the questions (as an SF writer) on the news pages of my website. The direct link is here

Thanks for the opportunity to have a say!

Anonymous said...

Answers!

There's probably a lot of psychoanalysis but hey, what the heck.

http://jesterjoker.livejournal.com/60658.html?mode=reply

Anonymous said...

I will post on my blog soon -- right up my alley. Perhaps two entries, as I am both a science blogger and a science fiction writer. I'll spread the word, too. I get tapped by sf writers a lot for science information, and sometimes scientists, too, looking for sf examples to interest students.

Philip H. said...

Questions for Science Bloggers

* What is your relationship to science fiction? Do you read it? Watch it? What/who do you like and why? ANSWER - I read a fair amount of it - though I'm off read the Federalist Papers at the moment. I think it gives me the opportunity to let my imagination go, instead of thinking about how much damage this r that policy is doing to science.

* What do you see as science fiction's role in promoting science, if any? Can it do more than make people excited about science? Can it harm the cause of science? ANSWER - I thin SF has to help promote good science. We scientists are a bit . . . . dry . . . . so good sound science, perhaps stretched a bit, in SF is a real boon.

* Have you used science fiction as a starting point to talk about science? Is it easier to talk about people doing it right or getting it wrong? ANSWER Not yet, but the suggestion is a good one. I had a general chemistry professor who did years ago - he taught us equation balnacing using the breakdown of Tri-Lithium.

* Are there any specific science or science fiction blogs you would recommend to interested readers or writers? ANSWER I do a guest bit over at The Intersection on Science Blogs, but that's mostly about policy and science/cultural intersections. Robert Grumbine has a good science blog, particularly for climate issues; and Uncertain Principles has some good physics, when he's baby watching (which is also really good)

Schadwen said...

I've got my answers up here:

http://elementalhome.blogspot.com/2008/11/science-and-science-fiction.html

Kelly McCullough said...

FWIW, my responses

David Constantine said...

Thanks! responses are here

Robert Grumbine said...

I joined the fun, answers at
http://moregrumbinescience.blogspot.com/2008/11/science-fiction-and-science.html