Holland SF

Posted on November 1, 2008
Filed Under Symbolism, Journal |

Welcome to you readers of Holland SF - the Dutch Sci-Fi magazine - who will have read my Battlestar Galactica article published in the September edition of the magazine, which has recently hit the shelves. You may like to take a look at the ‘Meaning in Media’ section here where I take a closer look at some other movies, video games and such things.

Sci-Fi was a massive influence on me as I grew up. Even today it is one of the only fields in media that willingly explores esoteric, mystical and philosophical ideas. Perhaps the greatest work of inspiration to me was Frank Herbert’s ‘Dune’, which works on so many levels and has such amazing depth. In fact Frank Herbert’s own term of ‘Wheels within wheels’ can be applied to the novel. Every time I re-read the book, an entire new slant and perspective emerges.

Interestingly it is no longer just the area of Sci-Fi which is dealing with esoteric and philosophical concepts. Leading edge science is now treading that same ground, as they return to the ideas of ancient times, taking with them the combined knowledge and technology of the modern age. I like the way Battlestar Galactica merges ideas of a spiritual nature with the scientific possibilities. And that stuff is going on right now, here’s a great example: