Pentagon confirms UFO?

[Ronson]

Just don't count "Star Trek Discovery: Political Correctness In Outer Space" (proposed full name).

[rogue06]

"What did the pilot see?"
"We don't know. The object was never identified."
"Can you confirm that?"
"Yes."

Headline: "Pentagon Confirms UFO Sighting!"

It is amusing how if something can't be immediately identified some folks immediately assume it's a flying saucer full of extraterrestrials.

[oxmixmudd]

No, even with inertial dampeners, Federation tech of the 23rd and 24th Centuries can't replicate some of the behavior shown by those objects.

Actually, the real effects all those things should they exist would easily produce the behavior seen.

For example, the object in question appeared to suddenly accelerate like 'a ping pong ball' and the disappear in a few seconds. The time frame for acceleration to light speed or more in star trek would produce instantaneous movements from point to point as observed by an aircraft. The enterprise it self would simply seem to be present one moment and then disapoear, likely in a flash due to friction wrt the atmosphere.

[lilpixieofterror]

Just don't count "Star Trek Discovery: Political Correctness In Outer Space" (proposed full name).

[lilpixieofterror]

It is amusing how if something can't be immediately identified some folks immediately assume it's a flying saucer full of extraterrestrials.

[Ronson]

I think the weak characters are a symptom of it. My brother and I (both sci fi fans) determined early on that there were no identifiable characters in it. Every race is represented in it by wonderfully magnanimous characters except for white heterosexual males, who were always cast as villains. Why should I watch a show where the person who looks and sounds like me is always evil? Or where 5'0 foot, 99 lbs females are mopping the floor with huge bad guys in a fist fight? I like sci fi, not fantasy.

[JonathanL]

I think the weak characters are a symptom of it. My brother and I (both sci fi fans) determined early on that there were no identifiable characters in it. Every race is represented in it by wonderfully magnanimous characters except for white heterosexual males, who were always cast as villains. Why should I watch a show where the person who looks and sounds like me is always evil? Or where 5'0 foot, 99 lbs females are mopping the floor with huge bad guys in a fist fight? I like sci fi, not fantasy.

Sci-fi is just fantasy in space.

[rogue06]

Sci-fi is just fantasy in space.

Essentially true.

A friend of mine who is a fairly successful writer of horror once said of that genre that if it is set in the past it's gothic horror; if it's set in the present it is horror; if it's set in the future it is science fiction.

[Ronson]

Sci-fi is just fantasy in space.

If examined too closely sci-fi is filled with impossibilities (like "fantasy"). But as a genre, they're different.

[rogue06]

If examined too closely sci-fi is filled with impossibilities (like "fantasy"). But as a genre, they're different.

As Arthur C. Clarke once famously quipped: "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."


The line between sci fi set hundreds to thousands of years in the future and fantasy is a very thin one indeed.

[Ronson]

As Arthur C. Clarke once famously quipped: "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."


The line between sci fi set hundreds to thousands of years in the future and fantasy is a very thin one indeed.

In my antiquated world of definitions, Science Fiction is a realm of future possibility (or as close as a person can imagine). Fantasy is more of a dreamworld, with fairies, gnomes and trolls. There are hybrids, like Star Wars, but they are still unique genres, IMO.

[seanD]

It is amusing how if something can't be immediately identified some folks immediately assume it's a flying saucer full of extraterrestrials.

In the wake of the resurgence of the cold war, the nuclear arms race, and the propensity of superpowers to try and best one another in the latest technology they have, I often wonder how possible it would be for a country that poses this technology to keep it secret this long and not be compelled to show it off to their global rivals. Though the US did keep the stealth bomber and the atom bomb covert for quite some time, so there's that. Also, considering the rise in espionage, how possible it would be for a country to keep this under wraps this long.

[lilpixieofterror]

I think the weak characters are a symptom of it. My brother and I (both sci fi fans) determined early on that there were no identifiable characters in it. Every race is represented in it by wonderfully magnanimous characters except for white heterosexual males, who were always cast as villains. Why should I watch a show where the person who looks and sounds like me is always evil? Or where 5'0 foot, 99 lbs females are mopping the floor with huge bad guys in a fist fight? I like sci fi, not fantasy.

[lilpixieofterror]

Sci-fi is just fantasy in space.

Yes and no. Really depends on the series. Star Wars is pretty much space fantasy, The Martin is pretty heavily based in science, Star Trek is a little of both.

[Ronson]

We gave up after season 1. Since then, I decided to avoid all ARC TV shows anyway. Suuks up too much time.