Science Fiction and Fantasy on the Internet

On one of the mailing lists I have found myself on in recent months someone made a sweeping statement about the habits of science fiction and fantasy readers relating to the Internet. This person, whose name remains confidential, claimed that science fiction readers are more interested in discussing the work they read than fantasy readers.

Which got me to thinking.

Obviously he was making this comment about the Internet and the hundreds of web pages, chat rooms and discussion groups devoted to discussing in depth volumes of science fiction. There doesn't seem to be a proliferation of the same thing in the fantasy realm.

He hypothesis he developed was that all fantasy readers were getting was the same thing re-hashed over and over again; so what's to discuss? I, however, disagree. Variety is evident in both genres. There is many differing types of fantasy and science fiction. I doubt you will find many fantasy readers happy to re-read the same novel or series over and over again.

One explanation could be that the Internet as the technology of the 'future' appeals to many science fiction readers who have long had an interest in this type of thing. If you follow along these lines then it is quite understandable that many sci-fi fans have long established communities that enable them to discuss areas of interest relating to their reading. Fantasy, on the other hand, is perhaps a little bit on the backburner. Often fantasy is related to medieval and along forgotten time were magic was 'real' and as such the Internet is not the likely stopping point for many readers. Of course this is changing with more and more people logging on so to speak.

Many of the science fiction devoted sites, and discussion groups are dedicated towards fan fiction, or discussing the ideas brought up in the books, or even what happens where the book ends. The argument can be made that what lies down the track is of interest to many and this is why it generates much commentary. The alternative futures often posed by the writer invites the reader to ponder the possibilities, which in turn generates discussion. Fantasy on the other hand, often has the result at the end of the book being a conclusion to the problems and troubles raised in the novel. After the completion of the book there doesn't seem to be a need to ponder the "what ifs". In addition fantasy is set in another world, which has no bearing on our own. Therefore when you put the book down you are leaving behind one world and stepping back into another. Some issues raised in fantasy may be applicable, but probably in a more general sense.

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