Somewhere over the Rainbow
Why Speculate?
Cameron Summers
Issue date: 2/6/09 Section: Entertainment
This is the column that I was intending to end last semester with, but was unable to, do to time constraints. Namely, this column is meant to answer the question you all probably had the first time you saw Somewhere over the Rainbow: "Why does the school newspaper have a column on SF?"
Why indeed?
I took over this column from Br. Glenn Kerfoot, S.J. when he left for Belize. He had a response prepared for this question, which I lost due to a hardware malfunction over winter break. Thus, I will attempt to reproduce it as best I am able:
Jesuit Theology states that God constantly intervenes in the world. At times this is relatively obvious, such as when holding a newborn or witnessing some sight of great beauty. At other times, this is not obvious. We can all think of times when we had trouble imagining that a just and loving God would allow certain things to happen.
Speculative fiction--science fiction and fantasy--is an exercise for the imagination. It allows us to see God at work.
There is an addendum that I like to make to the above: Even if you don't believe the above, you can still acknowledge how important the imagination is. There is no human endeavor--whether scientific, artistic, or in business--that does not require the imagination.
So, the next time you get to choose between a Harlequin Romance or Neuromancer, or between the latest entry from Oprah's Book Club and The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, or when your next trip to Blockbuster leads you to decide either a C-list straight-to-DVD comedy or 2001, why not make the choice that's the best for your education?
This semester, I'm going to be looking at some newer stuff and at some older stuff--both Creative Commons works and Classics.
Why indeed?
I took over this column from Br. Glenn Kerfoot, S.J. when he left for Belize. He had a response prepared for this question, which I lost due to a hardware malfunction over winter break. Thus, I will attempt to reproduce it as best I am able:
Jesuit Theology states that God constantly intervenes in the world. At times this is relatively obvious, such as when holding a newborn or witnessing some sight of great beauty. At other times, this is not obvious. We can all think of times when we had trouble imagining that a just and loving God would allow certain things to happen.
Speculative fiction--science fiction and fantasy--is an exercise for the imagination. It allows us to see God at work.
There is an addendum that I like to make to the above: Even if you don't believe the above, you can still acknowledge how important the imagination is. There is no human endeavor--whether scientific, artistic, or in business--that does not require the imagination.
So, the next time you get to choose between a Harlequin Romance or Neuromancer, or between the latest entry from Oprah's Book Club and The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, or when your next trip to Blockbuster leads you to decide either a C-list straight-to-DVD comedy or 2001, why not make the choice that's the best for your education?
This semester, I'm going to be looking at some newer stuff and at some older stuff--both Creative Commons works and Classics.
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