Talk:Portals in science fiction

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Contents 1 Undue emphasis on Stargate 2 More emphasis on what fictional purpose a portal serves 3 Section on common envisioning 4 Fair use rationale for Image:X3 Jumpgate.jpg 5 Portal from Valve

[edit] Undue emphasis on Stargate

This article is far too obsessed with the Stargate franchise. It needs to be trimmed to a more neutral POV, with few mentions of that particular show as if it were somehow central to the concept. --Orange Mike 18:22, 31 October 2007 (UTC)

Seconded. The article needs a complete overhaul to refer more specifically to "Portals" as per the title. Any further and more distinct connections to "Stargates" should be relocated to a thus-identified article. ~ SotiCoto 13:11, 12 November 2007 (UTC)

[edit] More emphasis on what fictional purpose a portal serves

Agreeing and expanding on the "Undue Emphasis" comments by Orange Mike and SotiCoto. Portals are so widely used in science fiction that the list could run for hundreds of books and movies. Referencing popular, recent TV shows might not be the most revealing approach, either, since much earlier science fiction writers developed the original concepts, and worked through many of the implications. As far as storytelling goes, a portal has essentially the same role as "magically transporting" in fantasy, and that's a concept that probably goes back before recorded history.

One other thing which might be intesting, at least as a See Also, is a description of the (very limited) actual scientific progress on transporting objects between two places. Alpha Ralpha Boulevard 13:57, 12 November 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Section on common envisioning

This section starts with a statement which seems to be as much misleading and pointless as it is insightful: that all portals are envisioned similarly. In fact, TV and movie producers seem to go out of their way to make "their" version look different than anyone elses', for no good reason except cosmetic effect. The article statement just seems to be an a lead-in to a recitation of a list of what is mostly recent TV shows, video games and movies (and few video games are represented). It would be more interesting if portals which somehow behave uniquely were identified. Alpha Ralpha Boulevard 14:45, 12 November 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Fair use rationale for Image:X3 Jumpgate.jpg

Image:X3 Jumpgate.jpg is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in this Wikipedia article constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.

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BetacommandBot (talk) 07:29, 15 January 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Portal from Valve

Why isnt the videogame Portal (video game) mentioned in this article. The entire rational for the game is connected with portals, and its even named after them. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.15.4.226 (talk • contribs)

Because the article is about portals in science fiction. The rationale for portals in the game is just an excuse for game mechanics, and has no relevance to actual science. --Orange Mike | Talk 21:07, 28 January 2008 (UTC)

Just Because it's not literature or TV or a movie, does not mean it's not Science Fiction, in fact not a lot of science fiction actually has any relevence to "Actual science" as you put it, it is what it is "Science FICTION" you could say the use of portals in any work is "just a plot device" in the same way you say that in the Game it is "just an excuse for game mechanics" --AvatarIII (talk) 16:28, 29 January 2008 (UTC)

The rationale for portals in any scifi is for plot reasons, Portal put far more science into portals than most stuff, most scifi doesn't deal with physics affecting objects passing through the portal, the possibility of encountering yourself going into a portal as you come out, what happen to light going through a portal, portals and perpetual falling effects, in most scifi portal is just a sciencey word for 'magic door' with no further thought added. Portal is way beyond that level. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 87.194.30.174 (talk) 23:17, 23 May 2008 (UTC)