What do you think about old-hat Sci-fi?

[Joss]

If you don't know what old-hat is, it's old-school stuff. Think of reading a new novel that's nothing more than a 1980s sci-fi movie - nothing new and very old shet type technology because apparently the author is unimaginative. *rolls eyes*

What do you think of sci-fi with old-hat technology and doesn't really offer anything new to the genre?

Frankly, I'm reading such a novel now. It's written under the pen name of a successful author and this is his first sci-fi book and the pen name was created for his sci-fi books (he doesnt' try to hide his real name). Ugh, I can't even get through it becuase it's like reading something from the 1980s! I don't expect every sci-fi author to invent some new tech for their novels, but geez, try to keep up with current times and tech they're using in current sci-fi. This is bs. A waste of time. I will never read this author again!

What's your opinion on it? Are you okay with it? I'm okay with it as long as the tech is current. But, I'm not okay with it if the author is trapped in 1984 and can't think outside of the box or makes it apparent that he doesn't read current sci-fi. WTF?!

 

[redunicorn]

No I would not be ok with old tech. So many books and so little time. My husband and I read the reviews on Locus Magazine and that weeds out a lot of bad books. I also attend at least four conventions a year and hear authors reading from current works. We own over 5000 hard covers and about the same number of paperbacks. 40% are autographed.

The conventions are also a great way to listen to scientists and engineers who give talks on the latest technology. They tell who is writing about their field and who gets it right--and who gets it wrong.