Yes, they should read it. But real science fiction no just cruel stories with blood, dead and permanent ferocity. The parents should take care, such stories help to develop fantasy and imagination of the kids. And not only children should read it. The adults should try to enjoy Stanislaw Lem´s fantastic stories. I love them.

Yes, they should read it. But real science fiction no just cruel stories with blood, dead and permanent ferocity. The parents should take care, such stories help to develop fantasy and imagination of the kids. And not only children should read it. The adults should try to enjoy Stanislaw Lem´s fantastic stories. I love them.

Dear all,

"Science fiction is a genre long-dismissed by many as "for nerds," conjuring up the image of a glasses-wearing, pasty-faced, video-game-playing introvert. (Not that there's anything wrong with that. Between us, we've got those categories nailed.) Some think of pulpy movies from the 1960s, featuring silver lycra-clad girls and UFOs on strings. Some say visions of the future mean nothing to teens more interested in their own lives. But it's never been cooler to be a nerd, and science fiction is enjoying a long-overdue comeback. From Doctor Who to Pacific Rim, fans of the genre are enjoying a renaissance of science fiction books, movies and TV--and they're not taking those dismissals lying down. Science fiction matters, and the fans know it.

A true science fiction fan already knows exactly how to argue against the traditional dismissals. There's a difference between pulp and SF--just as there's a difference between schlock horror and Stephen King. By proposing possible visions of the future, science fiction asks questions of us--of humanity, of Earth, of individuals--that we wouldn't ordinarily ask ourselves. Who are we? Where are we going? Does what we do today matter? Real science fiction is as close to an intense discussion of philosophy as you can get while still reading fast-paced, page-turning fiction. And it doesn't always give us the answers. Sometimes it leaves us to answer those questions ourselves, and that discussion is one readers of all stripes relish.

Which leads us to the most baffling assumption of all about science fiction: that it will go right over the heads of today's teenagers. Part of this stems from the (regrettable, but true) fact that the majority of young adult fiction readers are female, and girls aren't supposed to like science fiction. Try telling that to the girls and women of all ages embracing science fiction fandom at every level. Part of it is because adults still have an inexplicable tendency to assume that young people can't, or don't wish to, understand things beyond their immediate realm of personal experience.

A few years ago an article popped up on The Wall Street Journal criticizing the young adult genre for being too dark, and for addressing subjects teens weren't ready to understand. It resulted in a knock-down drag-out fight on the internet as authors and readers leapt to the genre's defense. Supporters of young adult fiction pointed out that for some teens struggling with dark issues, these "ever-appalling" books were the only place they could look for answers. These fictional characters were the only ones troubled teens could turn to in order to figure out their own lives."

http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/4414521

Regards

In general, reading books to children is absolutely fantastic and a must. Now, science fiction are more than adequate and mandatory for children. After all, while gathering information they work with imagination, and imagination mst be fostered throughout all means. Big yes: It is good!

I do agree with @Hanno. Children should read , many good role models are there. See the following thread that is related to this one.

https://www.researchgate.net/post/What_are_the_fictional_characters_people_from_the_literature_legends_comic_books_movies_that_had_an_important_place_in_your_life

If science fiction does not include violence & glorification of evil, then the children will gain a lot from reading such stories. A big yes for what adds to the power of imagination because this power will be needed, later, in studies and in R & D.

A big yes for your analysis dear Nizar.

Tthe idea that, for better or for worse, especially when it comes to science, there is a linear relationship between what people see on TV, read the newspapers or listen to the radio and choices, attitudes, opinions regarding science and technology.

Not so. Things are much more complicated.

Dear All,

The message of Belles-lettres is the same. Quality literature is Belles-lettres. Good and human science fiction can be and is quality literature. This is suitable for children. E.g. Ray Bradbury or Stanislaw Lem or Brian Wilson Aldiss etc. wrote quality literature highly appropriate for children and young men.

As a kid I read a lot of books and what I enjoyed most were science fiction stories --along with Emilio Salgari, of course. My love of science fiction went to youth and adulthood and I can say that Ray Bradbury The Illustrated Man is among my favorite books, on the same level as some of the works of my countrymen Jorge Luis Borges and Julio Cortazar. I strongly recommend that children read science fiction books appropriate for their age. Clearly, not all science fiction is of good quality and sometimes we simply find pirate or fighters stories in a futuristic context. I think the story should have literary quality and stimulate the imagination through an original storyline, not based on clichés. 

Definitely the history of future encompasses science, fiction and stories

https://www.google.co.in/url?q=http://www.swarthmore.edu/documents/library/newton_goossen2010.pdf&sa=U&ved=0CB4QFjAJOB5qFQoTCKe27sCQ_8cCFUIYpgodc1cGSw&usg=AFQjCNE4f-nycBpKF8q73FS6BXRy78wpgQ

Dear Colleagues,

Good Day,

"Science fiction without the science just becomes, you know, sword and sorcery, basically stories about heroism and not much more."

                                                                                    -----  Michio Kaku

Yes, children must read science fiction stories!

It is good as:

1. Fiction stories popularize science among children

2. Develops reading habits

3. Enhance thinking process and creativity

4. Increases imagination

It is bad as:

1. Children may become addict

2. More time spending

3. May confuse with realistic situation

4. Etc. ...

Dear Sufia,

Yes, the children should read science fiction books. There are different categories of books available in the market and all of them have some or other benefit form it. Various studies have proved the beneficial of reading science fiction books/ movies. Below are the link which explain the brain connectivity and function with science fiction books.

Regards 

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-athletes-way/201401/reading-fiction-improves-brain-connectivity-and-function

http://www.iteea.org/Conference/PATT/PATT26/Lin.pdf

I think its good to built imaginative power through such readings, but few bad guys twist this in a different way as we saw in case of nasty DJ.

Definitely yes.

It is more beneficial that reading other  types of books such as mysteries, humor or adventure stories, as it encourages our child’s  interest in the science.

As Dr. Nizar pointed out, reading science-fiction  does not encourage the violence in kids.

Science fiction stories are important for creating interest in science and motivating kids for pursuing science as course of study, provided they don't become addicted.

See a good thread also!

https://www.researchgate.net/post/How_effective_are_Science_fiction_movies_stories_to_our_kids#55fbf8ce6225fff6b48b45ad

Dear Yiwei Li,

thats why I stated the attention of parents or if you prefer good teachers, when proposing science fiction literature.

I think reading science fiction books or watching science fiction movie is good for children because it will help their imagination capability and thinking something in different prospective.

Thnxs for ur suggestions,,

Science fiction stories develop the orientation among students/children.

Why Read to My Baby?

Dear all,

You may wonder about the benefits of reading to your baby. An infant won't understand everything you're doing or why. But you wouldn't wait until your child could understand what you were saying before you started speaking to him or her, right? Nor would you bypass lullabies until your baby could carry a tune or wait until he or she could shake a rattle before you offered any toys.

Reading aloud to your baby is a wonderful shared activity you can continue for years to come — and it's an important form of stimulation.

Reading aloud:

• teaches a baby about communication
• introduces concepts such as numbers, letters, colors, and shapes in a fun way
• builds listening, memory, and vocabulary skills
• gives babies information about the world around them

http://m.kidshealth.org/parent/positive/all_reading/reading_babies.html

Regards

What value can we gain from fictional literature? Leland Ryken says:

"Literature is a form of discovery, perception, intensification, expression, interpretation, creativity, beauty, and understanding. These are ennobling activities and qualities. For a Christian, they can be God-glorifying, a gift from God to the human race to be accepted with zest."

See 4 Benefits of Reading Fiction --- through link!

https://www.crossway.org/blog/2012/07/4-benefits-of-reading-fiction/

I think science fiction is an excellent genre for all ages. It pushes the boundaries of what is accepted in society, proposes different political arrangements, new religions and morals, and encourages readers to think of what could be possible. While this may not always create a malleable and obedient person it does make a person that is inclined to think for themselves and weigh things on their own merits. In an increasingly changing world, this is more valuable than ever before.

Science fiction is a literary genre that has gained more respectability in the past few years than it had experienced previously. One can remember trying to find examples of this genre to read. Jules Verne and H. G. Wells could be found if one were educated enough in the genre to seek out these authors

Today's children are more aware. more concerned. and more informed than any preceeding generation of youth. This is an exciting genre for them. It meets their needs to verbalize societal concerns. "Science fiction for children reflects the implications of technology and the possibilities for the future. Through it can be provided a method of developing an awareness of some of the alternatives of the world's future" (5. p. 201). Bearing in mind the scientific savvy of today's youth. authors of science fiction utilize themes in their works that ... "reflect the concerns ... for the continuation of man and the life he has known within this century" (5. p. 197)

source:

http://scholarworks.wmich.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2211&context=reading_horizons

Humans are capable of immense greatness and largeness of spirit — but we can also be total horrible bastards, sometimes. And science fiction is full of stories where we terrorize and mistreat innocent creatures. Here are the 10 best stories where humans are the villains.

http://io9.com/10-best-science-fiction-stories-where-humans-are-the-mo-1403055457

Benefits of science fiction ....

One of the biggest roles of science fiction is to prepare people to accept the future without pain and to encourage a flexibility of the mind. Politicians should read science fiction, not westerns and detective stories.

— Arthur C. Clarke

Children, I mean, think of your own childhood, how important the bedtime story was. How important these imaginary experiences were for you. They helped shape reality, and I think human beings wouldn't be human without narrative fiction.

Paul Auster

Science fiction is any idea that occurs in the head and doesn't exist yet, but soon will, and will change everything for everybody, and nothing will ever be the same again. As soon as you have an idea that changes some small part of the world you are writing science fiction. It is always the art of the possible, never the impossible.

--- Ray Bradbury

One of the most interesting things about science fiction and fantasy is the way that the genres can offer different perspectives on matters to do with the body, the mind, medical technology, and the way we live our lives.

Tansy Rayner Roberts

Dear José,

Dear All,

I would not say that Jorge Luis Borges wrote science fiction. He wrote extraordinarily imaginative short stories which are more philosophy than science fiction. I like very much all of his works. I have read them in Hungarian, German and English but I would like to taste them in Spanish. Continuing, I think to be able to understand Borges’ thoughts one needs some cultural and philosophical maturity and most children cannot be prepared for.

I suggest each of you to read

https://posthegemony.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/borges_collected-fictions.pdf

By the way, Edgar Allan Poe wrote somehow similar stories but he could not approach the philosophical peaks Borges conquered easily.

https://maggiemcneill.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/complete-tales-and-poems-of-edgar-allen-poe.pdf

Although Poe’s text is much simplier than that of Borges children and young men may have troubles reading them:

„Had Alexander not been Alexander, he would have been Diogenes; and the Duc assured his antagonist in taking leave, " que s'il n'eut ete De L'Omelette il n'aurait point d'objection d'etre le Diable."

Dear András:

What you say is true. Borges wrote fantasy stories, but not science fiction. And it is almost impossible for a child to read Borges .

However, there is a short writing by Borges that has to be definitely classified as science fiction. It is the prologue to the first Spanish edition of The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury, which was published in Argentina as Crónicas Marcianas: Minotauro, Buenos Aires, 1955. 

"What has this man from Illinois done, I ask myself when closing the pages of his book, that episodes from the conquest of another planet fill me with horror and loneliness?", Borges wrote. 

I add links to this Prologue in Spanish and English.

http://raybradburyboard.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/3791083901/m/1221076802

http://biblog.etsit.upm.es/?p=542

Top 25 Best Artificial Intelligence Science Fiction

Closely related to robot fiction and often over lapping with other sub-genres such as dystopian fiction, space opera fiction and cyberpunk fiction, artificial intelligence raises deep moral and philosophical issues that force us to look deep within ourselves and question what is it, exactly, that makes us human, when computers and machines can learn, educate themselves and others, show morality and ethics, and most importantly, understand and exhibit human emotions of love, anger, and fear. Artificial intelligence fiction shows us what the future can look like and how we need to be responsible and accountable for the things that we create.

http://bestsciencefictionbooks.com/best-artificial-intelligence-science-fiction-books.php

Dear Colleagues,

Good Day,

"Using Science Fiction To Help Turn Kids on to Reading... And the Future! , 

By David Brin, Ph.D.

Once mostly the province of nerdy young men, science fiction has become a central part of our culture's myth-making engine, engaging girls, women, and adults of all ages. Yet the breadth of SF and its ultimate importance can be difficult for a non-aficionado to grasp. After all, isn't it just spaceships, lasers, and childish stuff?

Well, no it isn't. As with any branch of human storytelling, science fiction offers a spectrum of quality and depth, ranging from shallow Star Wars romps to the dark, serious explorations of George Orwell, Aldous Huxley, and Mary Shelley. A key element is fascination with change and how human beings respond when challenged by it. In other words, there is no genre more relevant to this rapidly transforming world we live in, where citizens are called upon to contemplate issues that would have boggled their grandparents: environmental degradation, the extinction and creation of new species, cloning, artificial intelligence, instant access to all archived knowledge, and the looming prospect that a coming generation (perhaps the very next one) may have to wrestle with the implications of physical immortality." ..... 

Please, see the rest of the article for detail....

http://www.davidbrin.com/sfreaders.html