The Sword and Laser discussion

I was intrigued by the concept of 'optimistic science fiction' Tom & Veronica discussed in Podcast #99. Neal Stephenson's position that the genre's dystopian turn is discouraging scientists/engineers is both fascinating and frightening.

It also got me wondering - have I read anything that would be considered optimistic science fiction? To be honest, I'm having a hard time coming up with any titles. I would like to remedy this pronto! Any suggestions?

I found an interesting website devoted to optimistic SciFi. Love their picture.

http://shineanthology.wordpress.com/

Thanks for bringing that up Aloha. Jetse de Vries edited the Shine Anthology and there's a couple of nonfiction articles on the website (I contribute to one of them).

William, try Usurper of the Sun by Housuke Nojiri http://www.haikasoru.com/usurper-of-t...

The Starry Rift edited by Jonathan Strahan

Most of Robert J. Sawyer's books are optimistic by design.

Also, John Scalzi's work is pretty optimistic overall, except for The God Engines which was an intentional break from his usual style. At the very least, his work assumes human failings are correctable without coercion.

Alastair Reynolds's Blue Remembered Earth and Kim Stanley Robinson's 2312 are in that vein.

Thanks for the links. I have a friend who seems depressed. I'm finding it difficult to recommend a science fiction or fantasy book that isn't dystopic.
Even the real word news is more optimistic:
"prospect of treating a range of brain diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, all with the same drug" http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-1795...

@ Joe I've only read Old Man's War and didn't see it as particularly positive but I've got a few of Scalzi's others waiting on my shelf

Thanks for all the responses :) Time to hit the library!