I am a person with very eclectic tastes, but as far reading goes I almost always prefer sci-fi/fantasy. There are several reasons why I love the genre, and believe it is one of the greatest, and most diverse genre's available. It allows for exemplifying moral lessons without preaching at a specific demographic. For instance, you know a book like...
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I am a person with very eclectic tastes, but as far reading goes I almost always prefer sci-fi/fantasy. There are several reasons why I love the genre, and believe it is one of the greatest, and most diverse genre's available. It allows for exemplifying moral lessons without preaching at a specific demographic. For instance, you know a book like Dune refers to Nationalist party rhetoric, but it doesn't point at Germans, accusing all of them for the crimes of a few.
It also tends to be some of the most intelligent writing, by some of the most intelligent writers. You can learn so much from SF/F. Some of the best insight to government and sociology I gleaned from authors like Frank Herbert, Arthur C. Clarke, Anne McCaffrey, etc...
But, mainly, it's the escapism. We deal with reality every day. I read stories in the paper about someone who is so corrupt, or so above reproach. When I relax, I want to escape. If I want real life, I read the news. If I want more detail than that I'll research it. But, to sit back, enjoy a beer, or scotch, a cigar or pipe and a good book, it's got to be SF/F or nothing else.
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