Sci-fi, fantasy, fiction value

[Mr. Bigglesworth]

It occurred to me that some people probably see these genres as useless escapism. IMO the human imagination is one of the strongest assets of the species. When I look at cultures that have long time spent on mindless devotion (sorry to pick on muslim faith with it's several times per day prayer as example) I wonder if that is what keeps them in the middle ages?

Are imaginative stories just a way of exploring solutions using metaphor for our current problems? To some the writing function itself is the beauty. Ignoring the writing craft for now, why use such an indirect process for looking at the "human condition"?

[Gusington]

There are some masterpieces that came from the Muslim world too. Not necessarily fiction though...but check out the travelogue of Ibn-Battuta...a favorite book of mine.

[Mr. Bigglesworth]

Thx, i will check it out.

[Martok]

Are imaginative stories just a way of exploring solutions using metaphor for our current problems?

I don't think that's the only thing they are/do, but yes, I've always thought that's part of it. 

Ignoring the writing craft for now, why use such an indirect process for looking at the "human condition"?

There are certainly other reasons, of course but one of them for sure is that it allows you to approach things from a different/fresh perspective. 

As a species, we seem to be fond of using allegories to make a point, teach a lesson, etc...and sci-fi/fantasy stories are merely expanding upon that concept (although there's rarely anything simple in how they do so).