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A big debate has ignited on social media recently as people try to define the difference between science and fiction and fantasy, giving rise to a new internet meme.
The distinction between the two genres is of course a fine line, especially since they have so many similar tropes and in the case of movies, so many of the same actors show up in films of both genres.
So how do you tell them apart? Don't worry, people on social media have got you covered with several clever and hilarious ways to explain the difference.
Like this one, which explains the difference via casting choices.
\u201cScifi is when you have Matt Smith and fantasy is when you have Matt Smith\u201d— Mike Chen - preorder VAMPIRE WEEKEND (@Mike Chen - preorder VAMPIRE WEEKEND) 1663986102
Still unclear? Okay, this one might set you straight--basically the distinction lies in whether weapons go "pew pew" or "clink clink."
\u201cSci-Fi is when weapons go pew pew\nFantasy is when weapons go clink clink\u201d— liz \ud83e\udddd\ud83c\udffb\u200d\u2640\ufe0f\ud83c\udf42 trop spoilers (@liz \ud83e\udddd\ud83c\udffb\u200d\u2640\ufe0f\ud83c\udf42 trop spoilers) 1664133662
Makes sense, right? Sometimes the difference is about the foreign languages used in the depiction. Here's an example that might help clear that whole thing up.
\u201cFantasy is when Irish words are randomly thrown into conversation and Sci-Fi is when all street signs are in Japanese hope that helps\u201d— Amy Louise (@Amy Louise) 1664137804
So, Irish: fantasy. Japanese: sci-fi. See? It's all very simple. If you're still not quite catching on though, maybe this illustration about the Navy vs feudalism will help:
\u201cScifi is when the organization is based on a geek's misconceptions about the Navy.\n\nFantasy is when the organization is based on a geek's misconceptions about European feudalism.\u201d— Judd Karlman | Black Lives Matter (@Judd Karlman | Black Lives Matter) 1664114423
In short:
"Scifi is when the organization is based on a geek's misconceptions about the Navy."
"Fantasy is when the organization is based on a geek's misconceptions about European feudalism."
But helpful as they are, these memes admittedly make the distinction opaque at best. So if you're still confused, have no fear. Wonder Woman herself, Lynda Carter, has the best explanation of them all.
The iconic actor, who played Wonder Woman on television from 1975 to 1979, took to Twitter to join the discussion about what differentiates science fiction from fantasy, and her take was the most perfect of them all.
\u201cSci-fi is when Wonder Woman fights villains from outer space, fantasy is thinking Wonder Woman will go on a date with you.\u201d— Lynda Carter (@Lynda Carter) 1664304546
She wrote:
"Sci-fi is when Wonder Woman fights villains from outer space, fantasy is thinking Wonder Woman will go on a date with you."
And there you have it! We're done here.
Of course, people on Twitter loved Carter's take on the debate most of all.
\u201cAll right, game over, the rest of us peons lost.\u201d— TheAAAHHH! Landen (smutty romance author) (@TheAAAHHH! Landen (smutty romance author)) 1664411158
\u201c@RealLyndaCarter I need this on a T-shirt.\u201d— Lynda Carter (@Lynda Carter) 1664304546
\u201c@RealLyndaCarter \ud83d\ude02\ud83d\ude02\ud83d\ude02\ud83d\ude02\nNational treasure you are!\u201d— Lynda Carter (@Lynda Carter) 1664304546
\u201cEvery day I stray closer and closer to Lynda Carter\n\nAfter years of hearing my AP Lit teacher going on and on about how wonderful she is....\n\n.... I get it now, Mr. Berger. She really is amazing and I love her\u201d— Rosie makes mouse games (they/them) \ud83d\udc01\ud83c\udf72 (@Rosie makes mouse games (they/them) \ud83d\udc01\ud83c\udf72) 1664374880
\u201c@RealLyndaCarter @fredpierson \ud83d\ude02\ud83d\ude02\ud83d\ude02\ud83d\ude02\ud83d\ude02\ud83d\ude02\u201d— Lynda Carter (@Lynda Carter) 1664304546
\u201cWonder Woman wins the format. Format is over, thanks.\u201d— Friday Night Music Party is people, it's people! (@Friday Night Music Party is people, it's people!) 1664305291
\u201c@RealLyndaCarter What is it when we want to be Wonder Woman.\ud83d\ude02\u201d— Lynda Carter (@Lynda Carter) 1664304546
\u201cWell, this sorts *that* issue out more or less forever. \ud83d\ude04\u201d— Diane Duane (@Diane Duane) 1664307044
\u201cLynda Carter @ the internet\u201d— skeletal captain aceheart (@skeletal captain aceheart) 1664376029
So there's that debate sorted out. Thank you, Wonder Woman!