From Chinese Press

TV dramas versus science fiction

(China Daily)
Updated: 2011-06-15 07:53

Some TV dramas depicting ancient times and characters but with modern heroes or heroines introduced into the plot have become popular with teenagers. These dramas are nothing but fantasies - meaningless stories of love and/or power struggle. In contrast, teenagers are barely attracted to science fictions, which are worth our attention, says an article in Guangming Daily. Excerpts:

Teenagers are supposed to be good with imagination, the source of creativity. Many great scientists were fantasts in their childhood. But if not guided properly, young fantasts could be led astray. The responsibility to create a literary and esthetic environment for teenagers rests with the media.

There are many reasons why teenagers today like fantasy dramas on TV rather than science fiction. Pressure from family, school and society has forced many of them to hate literary works and scientific topics, and pushed them toward inane fantasy.

Good science fictions could have helped young people channel their imagination into creative spheres and bring about social change for the better, but the existing ones fail miserably on that front.

Education in amusement is inherent in Chinese tradition. If science fiction writers and filmmakers want to draw teenagers, they must create interesting works.

                                                (China Daily 06/15/2011 page9)