For me. Space doesn't work as a defining line, because Star Wars is very Fantasy, while Star Trek is usually more Science Fiction, but even then, both have elements that sneak a foot over into the other camp.
I think that the focus on technology in Science Fiction becomes defining when that technology is a solution in itself. Technology can be very important in fantasy 'Oooh! he has the Ring of Sauron/Sword of Power/Shiny thing of Whatsit!', but it is only as important as the wielder. In Science Fiction, humans are creatures against which the majesty of physics/engineering/invention can be writ large (even if they will sometimes be lucky in being able to conquer it, it's usually thanks to superior/alien tech), while in Fantasy, humans (or their equivalents, cf Hobbits, elves, gelflings) are the ultimate dominating force that can subdue threatening (usually technologically based (including magical tech, cf horcruxes)) powers (often with love, damn you Dumbledore!).
As to successful blendings, I think the film of 2001, A Space Oddessy, which starts out as hard-core science fiction, but ends with a fantastical re-envisioning of the birth of human beings as something beyond our individualistic selves worked really well. Of course, that could just be because I am a child of the 60s and that drug-taking crap is the visual language I grew up with ;-)
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Date: 2011-10-19 04:49 am (UTC)I think that the focus on technology in Science Fiction becomes defining when that technology is a solution in itself. Technology can be very important in fantasy 'Oooh! he has the Ring of Sauron/Sword of Power/Shiny thing of Whatsit!', but it is only as important as the wielder. In Science Fiction, humans are creatures against which the majesty of physics/engineering/invention can be writ large (even if they will sometimes be lucky in being able to conquer it, it's usually thanks to superior/alien tech), while in Fantasy, humans (or their equivalents, cf Hobbits, elves, gelflings) are the ultimate dominating force that can subdue threatening (usually technologically based (including magical tech, cf horcruxes)) powers (often with love, damn you Dumbledore!).
As to successful blendings, I think the film of 2001, A Space Oddessy, which starts out as hard-core science fiction, but ends with a fantastical re-envisioning of the birth of human beings as something beyond our individualistic selves worked really well. Of course, that could just be because I am a child of the 60s and that drug-taking crap is the visual language I grew up with ;-)