Explaining science fiction to women

Tag : R&R Jeans
Sweet Lord in Heaven, you have got to be every tech boy's dreamcome true. As I remember, you like Battlestar Galactica, Dr. Who,and several other Sci-Fi shows.
Can you, perchance, teach my wife the allure of such things? I haveto watch BSG when she's not home. Let us not even speak ofattempting to watch the Good Doctor.
In all things there are trade offs, I suppose. But make it happenand I will find a way to get you a Dalek. I'm not above bribery.
I'm afraid I'm not quite the dream girl I sound like: I also havean unfortunate addiction to designer jeans and expensive kitchenequipment, do spend more time than the average science fiction fanthinking about window treatments, and have only pared down my shoehabit by dint of becoming a vegan and thereby limiting my shoppingselection to Target.
But yes, I love me some Doctor Who, some Firefly, just caught up onBSG, own two copies of the Oxfor Book of Science Fiction ShortStories, have four first edition Sandmans, and really haven'temotionally come to grips with the fact that I am never going tohave superpowers.
What I'm saying is, there's hope. A love for feminine frippery canbe, and frequently already is, paired with a love of laser guns.But even if it's not already there, I think it can be awakened. Youjust have to explain it right.
Those of you who pitch science fiction to wives and girlfriends whodo not enjoy it are probably saying something along the followinglines: "Space ships! Alien monsters! Men in tights!" Instead, forwomen who find that sort of thing distasteful, talk about it as afairy tale--only a fairy tale with science instead of magic. Thebasic emotional space it taps is the same.
You might also try to ease her into something with a little morehuman emotion and a little less space opera--I'm very fond ofGeorge R. R. Martin's current gigantic series. As far as televisiongoes, start with Firefly, then maybe BSG, and then slowly work yourway up to Dr. Who. Do not, under any circumstances, unveil Slidersuntil you're sure she can handle it. Same with movies: Gatticabefore Blade Runner. Graphic novels: Sandman, not V for Vendetta.You get the idea.
Of course, to be fair, my father bought me all the Robert Heinleinjuveniles and Isaac Asimov when I was about eight, so I am perhapsnot the exact perfect person to ask. But I think science fiction isa habit that can be acquired if you go about it the right way.Every genre has its language, and the longer you've inhabited thatgenre, the more comfortable it feels. Try to make sure her firstexposures are to primary readers, not college texts.
I assume this also goes for women paired with SF hating men. But Ifeel like that's a rather rarer combination.