Follow-Up Poll: AU versus AR

[kennahijja]

Alright, people - I ran into a definition problem with yesterday's poll. Basically, I used the options Alternate Universe (AU) and Alternate Reality (AR) because those often turn up as categories in archives, but I have no idea what they mean exactly.

Ok, I do know what area they cover - from 'nonmagical AU' to H/D as dragon riders in a fantasy dimension to Harry-in-Slytherin to Sirius/Remus living happily ever after after the war, no Veil. But the difference? Not a clue. So...


[Poll #785583]

And abuse the comments if you run out of space!

Comments

[painless-j.livejournal.com]

I think cross-over fit in AU as well.

Depends of what kind of x-over it is :) The definitions inside my head are opposite to yours (AU as a spin-off, AR is a completely different reality), but regardless, a x-over might be set in "the other" verse, then it will be AR (in my terms)/AU (in yours). Or it can be totally non-AU/AR at all, like Amanuensis' A Little Touch of Harry in the Night

[masterofmercury.livejournal.com]

This is really a splitting hair issue, isn't it? *g*

I think my/that 'AR' definition stuck me since I joined SG-1 fandom, and I have Sam's technobabble about what constitute 'Alternate Reality' stuck in my brain since then. I'm not sure you want me to go into technobabble as well, so. I guess the fandom and science (excuse my lack of appropriate vocab) are not always go along.

Ah yes, sorry about that. I agree that cross-overs are AU. That's a typo.

And now I'm curious, what do you think which cat 'The Pendulum of Choice' fit in?

But thanks so much for the link, I really miss Amy's fic. XD

I do not disagree with you, just so you know. I'm not even sure that there's a right definition at all.

[masterofmercury.livejournal.com]

*headdesk* Please stop me from drinking more coffee. It makes my brain melt.

Ah yes, sorry about that. I agree that cross-overs are AU. That's a typo.
I mean, I agree with you that it depends of what kind of x-over it is. From your def, I think most of them are AU(in your def)/AR (in my def). Because I think it's a new ground for a new series of interactions, you know.

[painless-j.livejournal.com]

I understood what you meant :)

Yes, probably most of them are AU/AR.

[painless-j.livejournal.com]

Heh, I'm not sure there is a right definition at all. I guess there's only what's accepted by the majourity, and even that is relative. Such is fandom :)

Pendulum I put into a separate category inside my head: multiple/parallel reality fic :D