The Writer Will Take Your Questions Now (#205) -- Sci-Fi: Hard of Soft?

What do you prefer to read and write, hard sci-fi or soft sci-fi?

I will always choose the character-driven stories over the science-driven stories, but I don't think it has to necessarily be either-or. I've seen some science-based stories that have characters who really grabbed my attention (2001 for example). But I do tend to prefer the softer side of sci-fi that doesn't have to follow the rules of hardcore science all the time, such as that of Vonnegut and Bradbury and about half of Heinlein's work. Sharing too much science (just like sharing too much research in any genre) can bog down a story very quickly, I think.