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About this quote

What does it mean?
The author critiques a sci-fi magazine for neglecting emotional depth and human feelings in its stories.
In plain terms
I thought the magazine was too focused on ideas and ignored the feelings of people.
What can you take from it?
Science fiction needs emotional depth to resonate with readers.

Where it applies

  • editing decisions
  • genre writing
  • literary critique

Putting it to work

  • include emotions in sci-fi
  • balance ideas with feelings
  • write for humans

Questions to consider

  • Should sci-fi focus more on emotion?
  • What makes a story relatable?

Another view

Technical concepts can sometimes overshadow character development in speculative fiction.

More from Brian Aldiss

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  3. Keep violence in the mind where it belongs.

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