Tuesday, 2 January 2018

National Science Fiction Day

Today is National Science Fiction Day because January 2 is Isaac Asimov's birthday.

I started reading science fiction in my early 20s, and I read most of the great ones that had been written up to that time. They broke barriers in my theretofore middle-class upbringing, provoking new ideas and offering satisfying possibilities for my youthful rebellions.

At the same time, an exciting, unique show came on the air. It was called StarTrek, and my friends and I were completely captivated! I even scheduled my university classes around its weekly broadcast because there was no way I was going to miss a single episode. We would all gather at my apartment, long hair and bell bottoms filling the room. I'd make a platter piled high with peanut butter and banana sandwiches...and we'd sit entranced throughout.

Throughout the years I've read other science fiction, sometimes also re-reading a few of the classics. From the perspective of a middle-aged woman now, it's been interesting to see my reactions to them, compared to my younger self's reactions. In any event, I still think that sci-fi is one of the great genres, and I'm so glad I was exposed to it at a young age.

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