[PW] Science fiction/politics question

[Early, Charles T. (GSFC-272.0)[LIBRY]]

Conservative science fiction writers are almost always libertarians
rather than social conservatives.  They often have an engineering
background, and I think it's part of the engineer mindset (with
exceptions, such as my son in law), so there's a definite correlation
between hard science fiction and conservatism (with Asimov and Clarke as
obvious exceptions).

These libertarians are often also strongly pro-military and
pro-authority, despite the obvious logical contradiction (Heinlein is a
classic example).


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-----Original Message-----
From: project-wombat-open-bounces at lists.project-wombat.org
[mailto:project-wombat-open-bounces at lists.project-wombat.org] On Behalf
Of Michael J. Lowrey
Sent: Friday, March 21, 2008 5:36 PM
To: list at project-wombat.org
Subject: Re: [PW] Science fiction/politics question

On 3/21/08, Jerry_Stephens at ca10.uscourts.gov
<Jerry_Stephens at ca10.uscourts.gov> wrote:
> The link to the Bainbridge and Dalziel "New Maps of Science Fiction" 
> piece  was really helpful. I'm only an occasional SF reader. Would any

> of the  more experience SF readers on this listserv recommend articles

> that might  bring the topic a little more up-to-date?
>
>  Jerry E. Stephens
>  U.S.Court of Appeals.
>  Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Most of what I know about SF writers' politics I have garnered from
hearing them discuss it, or arguing with them about it, at science
fiction conventions. Nowadays that is supplemented by what they post to
Usenet newsgroups, in their blogs, etc. There are some non-doctrinaire
Trotskyists like Brust and Flint; there are red-meat reactionaries like
Pournelle; there are some radical libertarians like David Friedman; and
everything in between. The one thing you don't find is a lot of "social
issue conservatives" of the anti-gay, anti-evolution, anti-women sort;
the closest to that you come is Orson Scott Card, and he's no Falwell
himself.

--
Michael J. "Orange Mike" Lowrey

"When I get a little money I buy books; and if any is left, I buy food
and clothes."
     --  Desiderius Erasmus
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