Science and Fiction–An Open Call

Stephanie Zvan

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!

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Science and Fiction–An Open Call

About the author

Stephanie Zvan is one of the hosts for the Minnesota Atheists' radio show and podcast, Atheists Talk. She serves on the board of Secular Woman. She speaks on science and skepticism in a number of venues, including science fiction and fantasy conventions. Stephanie has been called a science blogger and a sex blogger, but if it means she has to choose just one thing to be or blog about, she's decided she's never going to grow up. In addition to science and sex and the science of sex, you'll find quite a bit of politics here, some economics, a regular short fiction feature, and the occasional bit of concentrated weird. Oh, and arguments. She sometimes indulges in those as well. But I'm sure everything will be just fine. Nothing to worry about. Nothing at all.
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11 thoughts on “Science and Fiction–An Open Call”

  6. Mike Brotherton
    6

    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.

  7. Philip H.
    7

    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)

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