Maybe this is just me, but I read science fiction specifically because its one of the few genres (when written well, as opposed to the "sturgeons-law" filler based on "tech/fantasy gimmick of the week") that expands themes and ideas above and beyond the themes, ideas and perspectives available in "everyday" literature.
Even in your example, i'm not sure what it is that is laughable or anachronistic.
Perhaps this is just me coming at it from the anthropology/sociological perspective, but since i find so much about our current society and beliefs (including perspectives, beliefs and behaviours of those in the tech sector and those talking about tech) as so comically insane, reading about these alternative technological visions seems like passing the lowest barrier of "suspension of disbelief" necessary.
And since its science-fiction, that's a barrier I thought most people would have passed by the time they've decided they're going to pick up a science-fiction book...
"I read books about (maybe even believe in) strong-AI, but reading a book where a hologram tells humans they can smoke or drink (given that humans are illogical creatures often needing to be pointed out simple logical inductions and that they CURRENTLY smoke and take drugs and have done so for most of human history) is just so laughably anachronistic!"
But you know, I like things like "I, Pencil" so breathless descriptions of automatic train ticket kiosks might just be my thing.
Indeed. I'll continue to enjoy George Pal's 'Time Machine' film, despite the fact that I haven't seen any store-window mannikins for a couple of decades.
A great story is great despite its setting, not because of it. 'Moby Dick' will continue to be powerful despite the expiry of whale-hunting; 'Sherlock' still spellbinding despite the extinction of persian slippers, pleasant landladies and street-cabs. Quite sure there'll never be an AI character quite as interesting.
Maybe this is just me, but I read science fiction specifically because its one of the few genres (when written well, as opposed to the "sturgeons-law" filler based on "tech/fantasy gimmick of the week") that expands themes and ideas above and beyond the themes, ideas and perspectives available in "everyday" literature.
Even in your example, i'm not sure what it is that is laughable or anachronistic.
Perhaps this is just me coming at it from the anthropology/sociological perspective, but since i find so much about our current society and beliefs (including perspectives, beliefs and behaviours of those in the tech sector and those talking about tech) as so comically insane, reading about these alternative technological visions seems like passing the lowest barrier of "suspension of disbelief" necessary.
And since its science-fiction, that's a barrier I thought most people would have passed by the time they've decided they're going to pick up a science-fiction book...
"I read books about (maybe even believe in) strong-AI, but reading a book where a hologram tells humans they can smoke or drink (given that humans are illogical creatures often needing to be pointed out simple logical inductions and that they CURRENTLY smoke and take drugs and have done so for most of human history) is just so laughably anachronistic!"
But you know, I like things like "I, Pencil" so breathless descriptions of automatic train ticket kiosks might just be my thing.