Where do you put the limit of lying (or suspending reality) in science-fiction?

Answer 1

The concept you are talking about is called 'suspension of disbelief'. Personally, I think that science fiction is a wonderful media for letting your imagination run wild, where 'practical' limits of storytelling do not, (and should not) exist.

Keep in mind, when comparing sci-fi to 'real' science, our understanding of the physical world around us (called the Standard Model) is simply our best explanation of what we see around us and it can, and does, change. Who's to say that the Standard Model is the correct one? Five hundred years from now, people might say, "Can you believe that those dolts back then believed in 'electrons'? Or that the speed of light was the 'universal speed limit'? Rubbish!", much in the same way we view people who used to believe that the world was flat.

Answer 2

My personal feeling is this:

If it's something that I believe _might_ be possible (some day or somewhere), I'll accept it.

If it's something that I _don't_ believe might be possible, I'll accept it provided that it's necessary to advance a good story, and provided that it's consistent with the rest of the ideas presented.

My objection to most of today's science fiction is that it portrays unbelievable scenarios without any intention of advancing the story (in fact too often the unbelievable scenario IS the story). That's when I change the channel.

When I first began enjoying sci-fi (decades ago), the genre was a means of social commentary; it was an exploration of how ordinary people might behave in extraordinary circumstances. At some point (about the mid-70's), it became all about the extraordinary circumstances, and the human story became a secondary afterthought.

(Well, hopefully "Battlestar Galactica" will help reverse that trend.)

Answer 3

There are certain laws of physics, and ways of human nature. Regardless of how fantastical you want to go in science-fiction, you still have to adhere to the things that people expect and take for granted, in their real lives. If you totally suspend reality then the reader might as well just take a tab of acid and go on a "trip." Keeping the action "real" though obviously a work of fiction is the key to good writing of ANY kind of fiction.

Answer 4

The boundary between Science Fiction and Science Fantasy

Answer 5

The way you phrase this question makes me think that you do not understand fiction; and especially not Science Fiction

Answer 6

There is no lying in science fiction.

It is fiction. That means it isn't real.

The moment you open the cover, you are reading about made-up people in made-up situations.

There is a degree of realism and references to the real world but that is to make it slightly more believable.

If something can be thought of or imagined then it can be written about in sci-fi or fantasy.

Answer 7

THERE IS NO LIMIT TO THE FLIGHT OF FANCY, so Sc.Fi is a product of thinking fiction according to factual scientific laws. Or I may put it this way; Science Fiction is SCIENTIFIC FICTION.
Do you get me? Thanks for question!

Answer 8

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Answer 9

There is no limit, it's fiction.

Answer 10

Nowhere. It's fiction.