SCIENCE FICTION

WHAT MAKES AND DEFINES SCIENCE FICTION? A “working” definition of science fiction is the exploration of alternate realities taken from present – day events. A majority of science fiction aims to solve a current societal issue of the time. Real/provable Science + What if’s = Science fiction (an imagined alternative society or world)

WHO CREATED SCIENCE FICTION? Mary Shelley’s, Frankenstein was considered the first science fiction novel written in 1818 but the name science fiction as a genre was not used widespread until Hugo Gernsback introduced it in his pulp magazine Amazing Stories in 1929.

CATEGORIES OF SCIENCE FICTION CategoriesDefinition 1.Hard Science Fiction 2. Soft Science Fiction 3. Alternate History 4. Cyber Punk 5. Dystopia 6. Utopia 7. Future History 8. Steam Punk 9.Fantastic Voyage 10. Space Opera

CATEGORIES OF SCIENCE FICTION a)Stories set in an alternate history when steam power was prominent, such as Victorian England. b)Stories set in a computer dominated environment, usually in the near future with rebellious characters. c)Stories with outer space or other planets and galactic war as the center of the action. Soap opera played out in space. d)Stories often featuring believable scientists or scientific inventions. e)Stories in which history as we know it has been altered in some fundamental way. f)Stories in which society is dominated by neg factors. g)Stories in which society’s ills have, for the most part, been cured and daily life is perfect or nearly so. h)Stories set in a distant time and containing a worked out society reflecting the relationship among competing or cooperating species in that universe. i)Stories where the heroes travel to unknown regions, encountering strange inhabitants. j)Stories emphasizing psychological or sociological sciences.

HOW ABOUT THE GENRE FANTASY & HORROR? Fantasy and horror are related genres. In fantasy, the story might contain some fantastic element – such as a flying machine – but the means by which it flies might be magical, scientific, or simply unexplained. Horror is difficult because works that fit into either of the other two categories could also contain elements that horrify. Thus Frankenstein can be considered science fiction and horror.

COMMON THEMES OF SCI-FI? ThemesDefinition Unexplained PhenomenaStories that feature UFO’s, pyramid power, paranormal abilities, telekinesis, ESP or other psychic possibilities and how those talents affect humans. Self-KnowledgeStories that feature the ability to know and accept our humanity. May include situations challenging gender identities or other pre- conceived notions. The Individual vs. SocietyTales where the society has certain guidelines for compatible living but situations occur that the rules don’t cover. People in Time or SpaceStories involving humans traveling in time or space. This involves the beings humans encounter, and how the humans react to the unfamiliar surroundings. Humans & TechnologyStories describing how humans interact with computers, nano- technology, bioengineering, virtual reality, artificial intelligences, or other parts of a technologically driven society.