The Future (or something) by Chipka
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Description
I once remember the science fiction writer, Octavia E. Butler, declaring that one of the reasons she became interested in writing science fiction (and by extension, fantasy) as a child was because she was interested in “being anyone but here, with any people but these.” I suspect that’s a common refrain among science fiction writers. Not necessarily because of an interest in fantasy, or fantasy worlds, but rather, because of the opposite: a reluctance to embrace the arbitrary limits “reality based” people put upon themselves. Because of her reluctance to embrace the mundane, Octavia E. Butler became the first widely recognized African-American female writer of science fiction. In my opinion, she’s also one of the best the genre has to offer, as her own social perspective allowed her to create aliens that didn’t seem like Europeans in costumes.
I thought of this as I worked on this picture. My creative juices have been flowing quite a lot, recently, but it’s impossible to do any text-based work. Writing is out of the question until, at least, December, but hey…it doesn’t take the same set of mental skills to work with visual images. Oh, it takes skill aplenty, just a different set of focus points, and so…in lieu of writing, I’ve been attempting to tell stories with images, and even embed story ideas in my gallery so that I can come back to them later.
All of this—believe it or not—ties in with Octavia E. Butler, and the things she stated in terms of why she became a writer—and more to the point, why science fiction should be of extreme importance to Black people. As the only literature of ideas, Science Fiction is uniquely poised to exist as the only genre that changes the world. As a result, it’s the only genre in which social injustices might be addressed, without finger-pointing. It’s also the genre that invented such concepts as, cyberspace, the water bed, and the communication satellite. The thing is, Science Fiction doesn't predict, it inspires...and that's what I love about the genre.
None of this has anything to do with the image here, but I think that the image and the things going through my head are all connected in overt ways. In so many ways, this image is dedicated in a sense to Octavia E. Butler, in response to her childhood sentiments. I understand—more profoundly than I care to admit—the desire to be anywhere but here among any people but these. I won’t say who “these” people are, but it’s fairly safe to assume that they have no clue that Renderosity exists, even as it looms on a computer screen right in front of them. I think that given the choice to be anywhere with anyone, most of us would chose…somewhere else. Out there…
Or maybe not.
At any rate, here is an image that might eventually have a story with it. It think there is a narrative here; in fact, I know that there is a narrative in this little urban tableau. It’ll come out later, but until then, enjoy the look of it.
More to come…
…later.
As always, thank you for viewing and reading and commenting, and I hope that you’re all on the verge of a fun weekend.
Comments (23)
kgb224
Stunning capture my friend.
SerenityBlue
We are prisoners of our culture sometimes. I agree with what you say, and the science fiction books I read as a kid probably had a way of taking me out of the place I was in, too, and unlike anything else could do. Awesome image.
Wolfmanw
Wondeful capture and interesting reading.
NefariousDrO
Neat, I've also been a huge fan of Butler's writing, I can understand why you'd be so fascinated. I like the poster on that kiosk, but even more so, I love it that you caught that one gentleman looking back, either at the poster, or perhaps wondering what you're photographing. It really adds to this shot.
jocko500
cool you write sci-fi and see worlds that is not there but in the mind. many things we have today came first from sci-fi
auntietk
So many stories could be lurking here! I thought of at least three just looking at your photograph and that fabulous poster. That is VERY nicely done! ... a middle-aged man walks out of the poster, back from wherever hoping nobody saw him using the emergency portal ... ... a man in a fruitless life has already signed up but doesn't want anyone to know ... ... a college student sees the poster and her heart skips a beat, flushing, tingling, knowing she must go ... ... a woman walks by the poster every day, not seeing, not caring, but comes home one day to find her husband missing ... You really make my mind go!
KatesFriend
Actually, I like sci-fi because I and others can make thinly veiled accusations at society (ie. finger pointing). Many a subversive has used this genre to get their point across while evading the direct wrath of their antagonists. At least long enough to move to another town. Ah, in my younger days, I used to bait religion a lot - I had a score to settle. Most antagonists are reactionary. 'If thy eye offends thee, pluck it out', they are pleased to say. Though that level of self sacrifice is not what they had in mind when they signed up to be patriots, they still see their righteous force riding into town upon wrathful elephants to set their world right. Largely by trampling it and those who would oppose them with the terror of ideas. These people tend to lack the subtlety of mind (or simple patience) to crystalize important but complex problems in their thoughts. That takes the discipline that they expect in others but lack themselves. I like your work photo work too. Though for me it immediately brought to mind the movie 'Blade Runner' and the 'glorious new life of adventure off world'. But now I'm going to have to take a look at Butler's work. Cheers!
Nathan_Ruby
very good little read, the picture is great as well. as always you did a great job.
whaleman
Drawn in, again!
helanker
Another excellent little story, I enjoyed alot. And a beautiful capture too.
durleybeachbum
'impossible to do any text-based work'. He-he, Chip, your comments are as long as my 'novels!! But that said, I just LOVE ths pic, and the possiblities come streaming out of it.
GiMi53
I like very much this kind of street view ! Excellent & interesting upload (picture + text) :~)
flavia49
beautiful!
MrsRatbag
Fascinating little glimpse into the genesis of a new story... I agree, scifi is my escape from this oh-so-limiting world. I could go on for HOURS about the worlds and ideas I've gained from reading, so I'll just say this image is fantastic, and will make a great cover for your book/DVD!
Orinoor
Stories are where we can fashion the world to our own liking, whether on this planet or off world. I love the image, a perfect photo to tweak and play with, perhaps changing that little piece of reality without even knowing it.
sandra46
TERRIFIC, AMAZING IMAGE!
KateBlack10
Great pic Chip - love the guy on the street looking as if he might, what?...possibly enter that portal into an alternate reality - love your narrative and Tara's story ideas It is always with a look upward that I go, especially at night, always imagining the "others" I might meet someday and what we might discuss. The attraction of sci-fi for me has always been the possibility of something new and undiscovered. I agree with you that sci fi inspires and for the desire to be anywhere but here among any people but these is so true and very eloquently put. I might be a total flake because I do believe that there are beings out there who look like a toasteroven or a broomhandle or something we haven't seen before. I really hope there is because thinking that the only creation are "these" people in "this" place is a very depressing. There is a great book (non sci-fi) called "The Diagnosis by Alan Lightman" - when I read your post, that book kept going through my mind. It is good read in regards to "these" people in "this" place and is filled with social commentary.
RodS
This is delightful! There are many things to lkie here, but the guy looking back at the poster just MAKES this picture! Excellent!
LovelyPoetess
Very neat image, I especially like that it is a little canted, so you feel vaguely like something is not quite right in the world and things seem just about to take an unexpected (and probably unwelcome) change. : )
jac204
Nice capture. Yes, having a great weekend, turn the clocks back, yahoo!
NitraLing
Sensational capture and vision!!!...an inspiration!!,have a super day!~Perry
nikolais
Chip, the turn of their heads, the phase of their motion, the add - everything makes sense abd harmonize with the story... you're a great creator of context!
lick.a.witch
Science fiction has always been the poor relative in the literary world. I have no idea why this should be, as common sense dictates that the world has not been built by architects or engineers, but instead by the dreamers behind them. And if Sci fi writers are not first and foremost dreamers of what might be, what should be or what will be, they are not Science Fiction writers. Wonderful image, enhanced by the narrative and the feeling behind it. ^=^