The best Science-Fiction universe/story? (with more poll options!)

[Blue3]

UPDATE:
new poll
https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=262662.new#new



I *think* I got the names of all the other franchises that people mentioned in the other thread, but I still have OTHER as an option.




So why are all these that are being mentioned/voted for

1. the best universe?

2. the best story?

equivalent to science-fiction's Lord of the Rings, or better?



Remember, this is NOT about favorites







Here's my first post in that thread:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=258433.0

[Antonio the Sixth]

Star Trek then, Star Trek now, Star Trek forever.

[President of the great nation of 🏳️‍⚧️]

#AllQuantumLeapAllTheTime

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

#ResignedToH2G2

[Enduro]

I love the ones I've seen/read/played. I can't pick 4.

Also, how in the world did I forget to mention Halo?!?!?!?!

[The Dowager Mod]

Foundation
Babylon 5
Doctor Who
Barsoom

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

I should have mentioned Larry Niven's Known Space series.

[Blue3]

So why are all these that are being mentioned/voted for

1. the best universe?

2. the best story?

equivalent to science-fiction's Lord of the Rings, or better?



Remember, this is NOT about favorites

[politicallefty]

When it comes to best universe, a lot depends on time. The prequel Star Wars universe is an amazing Galactic Republic. The latter years of the TNG/DS9/VOY time in Star Trek was a virtual paradise that had managed to hold all other major powers back.

I think the best story is Star Wars, without a doubt.

[AelroseB]

Heinlein's Future History novels easily takes the cake here.  Sure, it's not an absolutely concrete series of books, but they're as masterful, unique, and charming as science fiction has ever gotten.

[White Trash]

Star Wars without a doubt.

[AelroseB]

Heinlein's Future History novels easily takes the cake here.  Sure, it's not an absolutely concrete series of books, but they're as masterful, unique, and charming as science fiction has ever gotten.

And just to be clear, my personal favorite is Dune.

[Blue3]

For those who voted so far for:

-Babylon 5
-Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
-Doctor Who
-Firefly

...could you please explain why they are the Best SciFi universe/story?

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

For those who voted so far for:

-Babylon 5
-Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
-Doctor Who
-Firefly

...could you please explain why they are the Best SciFi universe/story?

Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is more ~expansive~ than a lot of the other options but its concepts, partially because they aren't meant to be taken too seriously, hold up better and are less susceptible to becoming dated than those in more canonical answers such as Dune and Foundation. The reason I'm only "resigned to" it is that I think there's something sort of mean-spirited in Adams's thematic thrust, although I don't necessarily think he was trying to make a specifically negative statement about the world.

[dead0man]

Wars, Gate, Who and King

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

I can't believe I forgot A Canticle for Leibowitz, and I can't believe it was a Greatest I am thread that reminded me of it.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

I should have mentioned Larry Niven's Known Space series.

As for why...

First off, it manages to pull off the rare feat in science fiction of fleshing out an alien race with an understandable yet definitely nonhuman perspective and does so not just once, but three times with the Kzinti, the Pierson's Puppeteers, and the Pak. (There are quite a few other races as well, but while distinctively nonhuman they aren't fully fleshed.)

Second, it goes into some detail about how certain technologies could affect human societies if they existed.

[Enduro]

I should have mentioned Larry Niven's Known Space series.

As for why...

First off, it manages to pull off the rare feat in science fiction of fleshing out an alien race with an understandable yet definitely nonhuman perspective and does so not just once, but three times with the Kzinti, the Pierson's Puppeteers, and the Pak. (There are quite a few other races as well, but while distinctively nonhuman they aren't fully fleshed.)

Second, it goes into some detail about how certain technologies could affect human societies if they existed.

Sounds interesting. I'll put it in my list of books to read. Unfortunately, that list is very long.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

I should have mentioned Larry Niven's Known Space series.

As for why...

First off, it manages to pull off the rare feat in science fiction of fleshing out an alien race with an understandable yet definitely nonhuman perspective and does so not just once, but three times with the Kzinti, the Pierson's Puppeteers, and the Pak. (There are quite a few other races as well, but while distinctively nonhuman they aren't fully fleshed.)

Second, it goes into some detail about how certain technologies could affect human societies if they existed.

Sounds interesting. I'll put it in my list of books to read. Unfortunately, that list is very long.

Incidentally, the Kzin are probably the least alien of the aliens psychologically which is probably why most of the fan fiction centers on them.

[progressive85]

The one with the wise little green guy.  Period.

[dercook]

Hitchhiker. I once had a pen name called 42 just for that.

[MasterJedi]

The only correct answer is Star Wars with post Disney EU.

[Blue3]

Any more explanations/votes?

I didn't intend to make this a series when I started it, but I might end up doing it.

[Tetro Kornbluth]

Emphyrio by Jack Vance

Also honourable mention

The Drowned World by J.G. Ballard

[#TheShadowyAbyss]

Star Wars all the way baby.