Science Fiction vs Fantasy

   While searching for new books, I gravitate towards the science fiction section.  On particular books found in the library, there is a "Fantasy" sticker on the spine on those in the sci-fi area.  What makes these stories fantasy?  Where is the boundary between science fiction and fantasy?

   "It is said that science fiction and fantasy are two different things. Science fiction is the improbable made possible, and fantasy is the impossible made probable."
-Rod Serling, 1962

Here are my comparisons between the two genres:

Science Fiction	Fantasy
Technology	Magic
Scientific	Supernatural
Facts in real life	Imaginary
Aliens	Wizards
Robots	Unicorns
Space	Middle Earth
A world that could be	Good vs Evil

     Science fiction offers a scientific rationale for the phenomenon.  There is some kind of technology, whether it's possible or impossible in real life, that alters our known world.  In Fantasy, a unicorn will just appear, and yay, that’s just the way things are.  There are alternative realities and worlds, where you can live in an enchanted forest or a cursed castle.  Most of the time, the conclusion of a science fiction story is a new way of doing things.  In fantasy, the good, from its good vs evil theme, wins.

     This started to make me think of certain story examples.  Where would Star Trek and Star Wars fit in?  Science fiction - Most things are based on a technology or aliens from different planets.  The only thing I had a hard time accepting it is science fiction is The Force.  It is a paranormal ability which is altered in a human or creature, but it could be mistaken for magic.  A few other issues, such as shapeshifters not being technologically explained would be fantasy.  Elements could be used in both genres.  What about time travel?  Science fiction.  Ghosts?  Gods?  Fantasy.

The more I read or watch these stories, the better I can pick out which category they fall into.

Source: Difference Between Science Fiction and Fantasy, Prabhat. and updated on July 28, 2011 Articles on DifferenceBetween.net

photo credit: balt-arts via photopin cc

photo credit: Gilderic Photography via photopin cc

Soft Drinks - Part 2

Coke or Pepsi?  Yes, this is the Ultimate Cola Taste Test!

I bought 6 different brands of cola:  Pepsi, Pepsi Throwback, America's Choice (Pathmark brand) cola, Giant brand cola, Coke and Mexican Coke.  Both the Mexican Coke and Pepsi Throwback are made without high fructose corn syrup.

Three participants and I taste tested each one and gave our preference of cola before and after.  Before tasting and looking at the lineup, the before preference was chosen by each tester based on what they thought they liked the most.  Then, instead of sloppily blindfolding everyone, the cups were numbered, and only I knew what they were drinking.  I had someone test me separately. These were all cooled and freshly opened.

Tester	The Before Preference	Pepsi	Pepsi Throwback	Coke	Mexican Coke	Giant	Pathmark
Steve	Pepsi			:(	:)
Mary	Coke	:)			:(
James	Mexican Coke		:)	:(
Jen	Coke	:)			:(

The smiley faces indicate the favorite after tasting all six colas. The frowny face is the least favorite.  Mary and I both preferred the regular Pepsi, despite our Coke before preference.  In being a Pepsi fan, Steve was right in choosing Coke as his least favorite, but then preferred Mexican Coke as the result.  James stuck with the no high fructose corn syrup as his preference, but chose Pepsi instead of Coke.  No one strongly liked or disliked the generic sodas!  None of us chose what we thought we would like the best!  Over this very small sample size, plus bonus points from the poll on my blog site, Pepsi wins as the most preferred taste.

I lined up my preferences from worst to best (left to right in picture above).  Welp, as a long time Coke lover, I have chosen Pepsi as my favorite after the test taste.  The test itself was so difficult.  At first, all of the colas tasted the same. I had to go back and forth from the cups.  One tasted like vanilla (Pepsi Throwback) and one tasted flat (Mexican Coke). 

So in the future, I will give Pepsi a chance, though I will probably still say that I like Coke better!  It could be the better branding for the product - note my shirt.

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