My briefest ever definition of science fiction is 'Hubris clobbered by Nemesis.' Brian Aldiss More Quotes by Brian Aldiss More Quotes From Brian Aldiss Whatever creativity is, it is in part a solution to a problem. Brian Aldiss creativity success ideas There are two kinds of writer: those that make you think, and those that make you wonder. Brian Aldiss writing two thinking Relax, enjoy yourself. Have another drink. It's patriotic to overconsume. Brian Aldiss drink patriotic relax When childhood dies, its corpses are called adults and they enter society, one of the politer names of hell. That is why we dread children, even if we love them, they show us the state of our decay. Brian Aldiss fear love children Science fiction is the search for a definition of mankind and his status in the universe which will stand in our advanced but confused state of knowledge (science), and is characteristically cast in the Gothic or post Gothic mode. Brian Aldiss confused definitions fiction The fatal error of much science fiction has been to subscribe to an optimism based on the idea that revolution, or a new gimmick, or a bunch of strong men, or an invasion of aliens, or the conquest of other planets, or the annihilation of half the world--in short, pretty nearly anything but the facing up to the integral and irredeemable nature of mankind--can bring about utopian situations. It is the old error of the externalization of evil. Brian Aldiss strong men ideas Its at night, when perhaps we should be dreaming, that the mind is most clear, that we are most able to hold all our life in the palm of our skull. I dont know if anyone has ever pointed out that great attraction of insomnia before, but it is so; the night seems to release a little more of our vast backward inheritance of instincts and feelings; as with the dawn, a little honey is allowed to ooze between the lips of the sandwich, a little of the stuff of dreams to drip into the waking mind. Brian Aldiss dream sleep love I can't help believing that these things that come from the subconscious mind have a sort of truth to them. It may not be a scientific truth, but it's psychological truth. Brian Aldiss mind may believe Science fiction is no more written for scientists than ghost stories are written for ghosts. Brian Aldiss ghost-stories science fiction Science fiction is for real, space opera is for fun. Brian Aldiss space real fun Why had I become a writer in the first place? Because I wasn't fit for society; I didn't fit into the system. Brian Aldiss fit society firsts When childhood dies, its corpses are called adults. Brian Aldiss unhappy-childhood life kids Civilization is the distance man has placed between himself and his excreta. Brian Aldiss distance men civilization Most of my poetry lies beyond the SF field, yet here I am corralled into 'SF poetry' as part of this poetry weekend. Of course, some might say, 'you've made your own bed - now you must lie in it!' But, while fully accepting that dictum, I'm not yet quite prepared to lie down. Brian Aldiss weekend here-i-am lying I was hardly fit for human society. Thus destiny shaped me to be a science fiction writer. Brian Aldiss fit destiny fiction It is at night... that the mind is most clear, that we are most able to hold all our life in the palm of our skull. Brian Aldiss skulls sleep night Let's have a toast - to the future generation of consumers, however many heads or assholes they have! Brian Aldiss future-generation consumers generations What were several fewer species of animals compared with a hundred-mile advance and another medal on another general? Brian Aldiss miles hundred animal That is why we dread children, even if we love them. They show us the state of our decay. Brian Aldiss unhappy-childhood decay children Keep violence in the mind Where it belongs (Barefoot in the Head) Brian Aldiss barefoot violence mind