Many people always seem to wonder what constitutes science fiction and what fantasy exactly is. I have decided to explain this. Scifi and fantasy are like close cousins that sleep together.

The top ways to know that it's Science Fiction:

1. If a person is living in space chances are it's scifi.
2. Aliens. If it's got aliens it's scifi.
3. Time travel by unnatural means. (This would mean by machines, not magic)
4. If medicine or robots from the moon that dispense medicine are in it, then it's scifi.
5. Ships with lasers.

Heres some scifi shows and movies:
Farscape
Stargate
Solaris
Lilo & Stitch
The Matrix

Okay, now lets move on to fantasy!

1. If it's got elves in it, its fantasy.
2. If it has vampires in it, then its fantasy.
3. If it has magic in it, you know what it is.
4. If mythical creatures such as dragons exist, then its scifi.
5. If it was written by JRRRRRRR Tokens, then its scifi... I mean fantasy.

Heres some fantasy shows and movies:
Buffy The Vampire Slayer
LOTR (All of them)
Charmed

I hope that we all know what constitutes scifi and what constitutes fantasy. Any questions?

If it has science as a prime part of its plot, then I'd call it science fiction.

i.e-2001 or any Arthur C. Clarke story.

If it lacks science then it is fantasy.

i.e-Star Wars. It takes place in space, but have you ever seen a single scientific reference?

Arthur Clarke and Asimov and all those chaps have rants about what science fiction realli is in their books of essays. Some like or dislike the term "sci-fi", preferring "SF", as thought it makes a difference. Pathetic sissies. My definition? If the story relies on fictional science, it is science fiction.

Woudln't Star Wars be classed as a Sci-Fi/Fantasy?? Hmmmmmm

You don't like Clarke?

psionics are generally considered a sci-fi area.

What if it has both magic and technology?:D

Originally posted by Pollux V
You don't like Clarke?

I like Clarke just fine. But he's being a sissy when he complains about his particular definition of science-fiction. He talks on and on about it being a story involving deep human emotional matters and such, when a story he deems lightweight crap may have great meaning to another reader. Some stories don't have any deep meanings, but are still stories. Some do. As far as I'm concerned, as long as the story relies at some point upon fictional science, it is science fiction.