306. Why Do Fiction Fans Fight Over ‘Optimism’ vs. ‘Realism’?

This month’s Project Hail Mary film is being praised as a fresh, thrilling sci-fi take that is wholesome and sincere. As expected, we’re seeing more fantastical fans cry out for stories that celebrate the human spirit. Why do we love these stories? And how do different fan trends, even across whole generations, keep swerving between positive portrayals and other stories that may be called “cynical”? Episode sponsors The Star-Blessed by Angie Dickinson Realm Makers 2026 Conference & Expo The Hole-Man by Dan Daetz Above the Circle of Earth by E. Stephen Burnett Mission update New at Lorehaven: new boosted Library search Subscribe free to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild 1. Optimistic stories celebrate common grace Stephen read the book back soon after its May 4, 2021, release. Don’t miss the audiobook read by narrator Ray “Darkseid” Porter. Right from the title, Project Hail Mary honors human will and spirit. Weir publicly eschewed inserting “the message” (leftist politics). It’s a deeply humanist story (and not necessarily in a bad way). Brett McCracken from TGC wrote that the film honors biblical virtues and “celebrates friendship, sacrifice, and self-giving love.” Some vote blue. Some red. But everyone loves Grace and Rocky. 2. Cynical stories show sin—and to a fault In response, many fans are freshly condemning cynical stories. These make a show of hopelessness, grimdark, nihilism, despair. But there are fewer of these obvious cynical stories in pop culture. Their problem isn’t “show sin at all.” Their problem is lack of virtue. Do note that some popular “optimistic” stories are just posers. They’re just as cynical about virtue, yet may offer false “syncerity.” One can almost see the memos. They’re trying to have/eat cake. 3. Many great stories rightly reflect both “Realistic” stories aren’t always cynical, and “colorful” stories aren’t always optimistic; this is defined more by ideas than appearance. Earnest and optimistic stories can be noblebright and nobledark. In fact, Project Hail Mary (book and film) mixes both of these. Even God gets a friendly shoutout—a hint at the morality’s origin. Spoiler: Ryland is no hero. He’s effectively assaulted. That’s dark. But desperate times call for Grace. He becomes a hero. That’s light. These stories defeat both forced “syncerity” and cynical tales. Com station Top question for listeners What do you love about Project Hail Mary and optimistic stories? Next on Fantastical Truth Uh-oh. That big new trailer from that big studio just hit for that big fantasy franchise remake/reboot/sequel. It’s too big to fail! And then fail it does. They got the cast way wrong. They hired a bad writer. And they’re going to ruin everything we loved about the original. What’s worse? These big studios don’t seem to care. Do they? Or do some big studios have big secret reasons for “improving” fantasy franchises?