Dissociation
Science fiction stories maybe hard to understand when read for the first time. However, when read over and over again, they mostly sparks the readers' interest at the end. Just like any other genres, science fictions created stories with its own unique outline and scenarios. But, its not about the writing that makes a story science fiction. It's not about the words used nor the imageries or atmosphere created. What makes a writing a Science Fiction is if that writing possessed a natural characteristic of SF, which is Dissociation.
Dissociation is a term which describe alienation. Science fiction writers always use this to create a plot which is partly unreal to the world their readers are in. The focus or goal of this is to build up the effects of once again, "Alienation" - making things different from the audience's realistic view/world.
Dissociation can be classified to many more specific categories. It could be technological, fantastical, mystical, horrific, etc. Technological include spaceship, nano-techs, robots, etc. Fantastical would be like dragons, magic, supernatural power, etc. As for mystical, relating to believe and some mystery, Airbender, demons, etc are some good examples from them. Lastly, dragons, flying horse and gryphons are part of the fantastical elements.
The element that is closely attached to "Dissociation" in SF is the "setting". The fact that most SF stories are set in the future creates a deeper effects of alienation and strange unfamiliarities with the realistic world that we are living now. Example, a story set 50 years in the future would have a different situations and living standards compared to our generation. For sure, technology would be more advance and people might have invented laptop that is the size of an iPhone now. However, it is not a restriction for SF stories to be set in the past, although this case is rare but does exist (e.g. 1984 by George Orwell). SF books set in the past focus more on our history scientifically.
In building a strong "dissociation", one must consider the questions "What happens at that current period?" and "What's the purpose of building that particular effects. Knowing what currently happens during the period a person write help him/her to make contrasting/unfamiliar ideas to achieve the dissociated effects he/she is trying to achieve. As for "the purpose", always remember that sci-fi readers love reading a story that contains a great unfamiliarities with the world they are in. Therefore, thinking of the purpose of the dissociation you are trying to make is very important. Example, the creation of the character "Spock", a pointy eared vulcan, in the series of Star Wars is done to purposely build an alienation effects in the character.
Dissociation sure is an important element in SF stories, but it doesn't contribute wholly to the elements of SF. A story that has "dissociation" but no other elements would not make it a SF story. Note also, although SF is about alienation, its characters doesn't always means someone who is fictional. It might be us, human, who experience the 'dissociation'. It is also possible to create unrealistic characters and objects in a sci-fi stories as long as they follow the theory of Science.
This is an example of a six paragraphs sci-fi story titled "Reflection". Try reading it.
The door opened to reveal a giant, circular room. Floors black, walls black. In the center there was a pulsing light that illuminated the tiles of the floor. He stepped inside the threshold.
"Chris Arlen." He calmly directed his voice at the floor.
The tiles on the floor flickered until their glow was consistent and growing. In front of him the three-dimensional image of a young man materialized. He was all there, digitally.
As he stared at the hologram of Chris, slowly turning with animated chest movements, he saw that the re-creation hadn’t missed a thing. His brown hair slightly too long for his face, the sneakers he should have thrown out, the hole in his neck below the ear that put him here.
He paused a moment, looking at that hole, and suddenly felt the weight of the gun in his holster. Guilt and shame rushed from his finger tips to his temples. It smoldered there. “I’m done in here,” he shouted to the attendant outside the room.
"You have another thirty minutes before this reflection period is over, officer," a synthesized voice returned.
Tumblr. Sci-fi In Six: Reflection. Last modified: October 30, 2013. http://scifiinsix.tumblr.com/post/65576117142/reflection
As you can see, this short plot possessed some dissociation effects in the mentions of 'Hologram'. People might know what hologram is, but because we never seen it live and never experience it, it becomes something unusual to us. Again, the character here is not dissociated because he is a human, someone like us who experience the alienation effects. The 'hole in his neck' in the same way is also intensifying the effects of dissociation further as normal human beings do not have any holes on our neck. Also if you think it logically, it is unrealistic for this to happen.
Consequently, it is important to remember "Dissociation" as one of the affecting elements of a SF writing. It is also used to purposely create the effects of unrealism or alienation to the readers and his/her realistic world. SF writing without dissociation will never be classified as one.
This is a quotes I took from the book Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, which have a distinct "dissociation" element in it. Try reading it briefly and you will know what I mean.
I saw—with shut eyes, but acute mental vision—I saw the pale student of unhallowed arts kneeling beside the thing he had put together. I saw the hideous phantasm of a man stretched out, and then, on the working of some powerful engine, show signs of life and stir with an uneasy, half-vital motion. Frightful must it be, for supremely frightful would be the effect of any human endeavor to mock the stupendous mechanism of the Creator of the world.
Frankenstein, Mary Shelley
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2 comments
I actually think that Sci-fi is really cool. The idea of a world much different from the world both scares and interests me. I have read some Sci-fi stories(actually fanfiction) and I thoroughly enjoyed them.
ReplyDeleteIn conclusion, I like dissociation.
Side Note: I think holograms are also both scary and cool at the same time. I'm scared of many things and that's sad. The 6 paragraphs were a good read!
Well, what is scary becomes dissociation! But, it is normal for people to find dissociation scary. I am glad that you enjoy the six paragraphs story. It is one of my favorite sci-fi short stories so far. I think, you will be able to get used to these alienated sci-fi imaginations the more you read sci-fi stories.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the comment Miss.