From: "Strong, Lee" <StrongL at MTMC.ARMY.MIL>
To: "WSFAList (E-mail)" <WSFAList at keithlynch.net>
Subject: [WSFA] Culture
Date: Mon, 20 May 2002 14:24:26 -0400
Reply-To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at keithlynch.net>

	Mike and I are discussing culture in SF, especially noir.  Many
people are pessimistic about life, but I take the opposite view.  While
there are a number of contributing factors to my Pollyanna view, two of the
biggest are a study of history and reading science fiction.  History shows
that people can make things better -- yes, they often make things worse --
but the general trend is, IMHO, upward.  We live longer, heathier lives;
democracy is spreading around the world; and science is advancing daily.
True, there are negative trends, particularly the growth of bureaucratic
governments and proliferation of armmaments among marginalized peoples, but
my reading of history teaches me that there is room for optimism.  Reading
(and watching SF) reinforces this by pointing the way to a brighter possible
future ahead.  So, I've seen _Blade Runner_ 4 times as often as I've seen
_Conquest of Space_ but watch the former as an interesting discussion of
ideas and a warning while working towards the latter.
	I believe that you quoted _The Scalehunter's Beautiful Daughter_
before.  Dwelling on heartbreaks causes one to discover heartbreak even in
happy things.
	You found the underside of Corescent "too 'pretty'."  Not sure how
to interpret this one, kemo sabe.  Sarcasm?  Statement that the colors were
too bright?  What?  I took Lucas' introduction of the underside as an
important note of realism.... which, is, I believe, one of the principal
arguments for noir and cyberpunk (Y/N?).
	_Bubblegum Crisis_ is considered a classic of cyberpunk Japanese
anime.  It features 4 women in power armor fighting renegade robots called
boomers in future Tokyos and dealing with classic cyberpunk issues including
political corruption, irresponsible corporate power, police ineffectiveness,
vigilantism, mercenary values versus noble values, and so forth.  Many
elements are derived directly from _Blade Runner_, including the name of the
leading warrior Priss, who sings with the Replicants band.  Good stories,
drawn in clear anime style with character development and mature sexual
situations amidst the action and flash.  IMHO, the original version, set in
2032-34, and its sequel _Bubblegum Crash_ is some of the best SF anime ever
done.  The remake, _Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040_, is adequate, but less so
than its predecessor.  I will be glad to loan you some or all of my VHS
casettes if you would like.