SETI@home

Last month, I had written a post about Science Fiction and Happy Endings. In the post, I had closed with this statement:

In the end, while my initial question might have been too broad, I think we can all agree that a happy ending might mean something different to everyone.

This month, I want to discuss a little bit about why science fiction might mean so many different things to so many people. In my mind, what we resonate with has a lot to do with the characters, the setting, and our willingness to engage in that suspension of disbelief. Some people find it difficult to get into a setting than other people do, and I feel that might have to do with whether or not someone is a skeptic who questions everything or someone who has the tendency to believe in things like aliens or the supernatural. To that end, I’d like to share with you a few links that highlight the difference between skeptics and believers.

I’m someone who prefers that my science fiction tales are more on the realistic side. So for me, I really enjoy checking out NASA.gov or Space.com for that reason. I think the argument as to whether or not Pluto is a planet is pretty fascinating, but I also find that I’m attracted to the question of whether or not aliens exist in outer space.

As it turns out, there is no shortage of believers on the internet. Here are just a few of the links that I came across when I was researching this post:

• http://www.aliensthetruth.com/
• http://www.paranormalnews.com/
• http://www.abduct.com/
• http://www.ufocasebook.com/alienabductions.html
• http://www.paranormalnetwork.net/
• http://www.thewatcherfiles.com/alien_races.html
• http://www.alienraces.net/

What’s interesting to me about websites like the ones I listed here is that they all go to great lengths to illustrate their beliefs. Many of these websites are well thought-out and the text is written fairly well. Part of me wonders how people who believe that aliens exist here on our own planet respond to fiction or settings that conflict with those beliefs. For myself, I guess you could say that I’m kind of a skeptic. This is part of the reason why I enjoy reading sites that show scientific or rational explanations for things that might seem to be a bit out of the ordinary. Both http://www.skeptic.com/ and http://www.skepdic.com/ are two sites I’ve visited in the past to get a different perspective on things that might fall under the umbrella of paranormal activity. Of course, many of you might have visited http://www.snopes.com to uncover the truth behind many of your favorite urban legends, too.

As a skeptic, I find myself unable to get into a science fiction story when it doesn’t offer me any explanation as to why things are happening. I also have a really hard time getting into stories that are poorly retrofitted into an existing setting, because I look at continuity as being an important part of a creator’s ability to suspend disbelief. In many ways, I find that being a skeptic helps my writing because I feel I’m able to create a setting that more people can get into simply because I try very hard to see both sides of the same coin.

Before I turn the table over to you, I’d like to point out that you can participate in the search for aliens on your own computer through Berkeley’s SETI program located here: http://setiathome.berkeley.edu/

How about you? Are you a believer or a skeptic? Do you feel that has an impact on your interaction with a science fiction story?

MONICA VALENTINELLI is a professional author and game designer. Described as a “force of nature” by her peers, Monica is best known for her work in the horror, dark fantasy and dark science fiction genres and has been published through Abstract Nova Press, Eden Studios, White Wolf Publishing, Apex Magazine and others. Her credits include: a short story entitled “Pie” in the award-winning BURIED TALES OF PINEBOX, TEXAS anthology through 12 to Midnight and the release entitled THE QUEEN OF CROWS published through Flames Rising Press. For more information about Monica, her work and her contact information, visit www.mlvwrites.com.