JohnAllen,

The best fiction stories survive over time because they are basic human truths wrapped in superhuman fantasy.

Think of the works of Shakespear and Homer.

Tolkein's "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, Asimov's "Foundation" trilogy, Herbert's "Dune" and its offspring, the works of Heinlein and Bradbury each contain more human truths per page than most of the daily news.

The best science fiction writers take what is known to be true and extrapolate and expand on it, showing us new possibilities that often become the commonplace (television, computers, robotics, cell phones, space travel).

Sometimes good fiction stands as a warning, giving us signposts to ward us away from danger. The novels, Orwell's "1984" and Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451" are two that come to mind.

Change "spice" to "oil" and the "Dune" novels (jihadists seeking to control the universe's most precious resource) become current events. All of the signs of the birth of the Taliban and the rise of Osama bin Laden are in those books.

There's a lot of truth in good fiction. And a lot of fiction being passed off as truth.

If you want pure fiction, watch the Presidential debates.