what are the conventions of sci fi?

in class notes
future or an alternative time line

setting in outer space or another world, usually involving aliens

technology or scientific principles that contradict the known laws or nature

discovery of new technology

androids

extraterrestrial life

Kiki's delivery service

I have never been a fan of anime but last year when I decided to watch Hayao Miyazaki's Spirited Away I was pleasently surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I think I've had this idea that all anime was just like pokemon or digimon, both of which annoyed the crap out of me as a child. I still think it's a kind of pointless art for people to do when there's an entire country that has mastered it. I think a lot of people enjoy Miyazaki's movies because they're lighthearted, fun, and whimsical. In my own work, I like to play with sense of place and worlds that might not exist and I find Miyazaki does the same. He creates these worlds that you really want to be in but can't, so you live vicariously through the main character.After class, I went home and watched Ponyo. I really enjoyed the movie. I think the movie is a different take on a fairy tale. I think American fairy tales have a standard format of female in trouble and waiting for price charming to save her from the situation. It gives young girls an idealized image of men. Miyazaki creates stories that children can fantasize about but still won't rely on them to create the expectations of the world that they have yet to experience. Miyazaki embraces traditional animation which is an art that seems to be disappearing from American animations. American children want the most realistic animations that they can see. But I think American children enjoy Miyazakis movies because it's something different than what they normally experience, they become captivated by the story rather than the realism of the animations.

Anasi Boys

Although I didn't finish the book, I read a summary online just so I could find out what happens through out the book because I really enjoyed reading what I got through and I knew I wouldn't have time right now to finish it. I don't think I've ever read a book like this. I really sympathized with Charlie, he had to deal a flamboyant and somewhat obnoxious family member like I have to deal with a similar personality in my own brother. I really loved the way the writer interpreted gods and how he portrayed them. I don't think I've ever read or seen gods portrayed in a manner like this. I think the book flowed well and kept me interested. I found myself trying to read in class and wherever I was but couldn't because my phone would die too quickly( I have the kindle app on my iphone and I've been using that to read everything). I look forward to reading the rest of the book, espically since I paid 10 dollars for it, but I think it's going to have to wait until winter break along with a lot of other things.