I've always thought it curious that science fiction and fantasy are regarded as genres within the broader range of mainstream fiction. Looking at our historical timeline, you can see that modern fiction is squeezed into the present time, while almost all of the future, stretching into eternity, is the realm of speculative and science fiction.
Looking backwards, again you will see that historical fiction occupies only a fraction of the space of potential stories. The infinite possibilities of alternative histories and fantasies set in the past overwhelm the narrow genre of historically accurate fiction.
All things considered, when I open my new bookshop, modern fiction will be rightfully reserved a small section within the enormous realm of science fiction and fantasy. And I'll pity the narrow-minded people who restrict themselves to narratives set in the present real world and don't open themselves up to the creative fantasies and scientific extrapolations that can so enrich us.
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