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Science fiction. An Introduction. What is it?. The term “Science Fiction” is actually an oxymoron. The word science implies that which is true and provable, while fiction is that which is false or made up. Let’s look at two other definitions to start:
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Science fiction An Introduction.
What is it? The term “Science Fiction” is actually an oxymoron. The word science implies that which is true and provable, while fiction is that which is false or made up. Let’s look at two other definitions to start: • Mainstream Fiction- story is made-up, but it is based on fact or trends that indicate it could happen in the real world or future. • Speculative Fiction- story is made-up, but the difference is the events or characters have some break with reality as we know it. The story could probably never really happen. Which category do you think science fiction falls under?
It is really a blend. • Though rooted in the unknown, science fiction is tied very closely to the real world. • It provides us with new ways of viewing ourselves and the world around us – still about people, human nature, etc. just like all fiction. • It is not necessarily about the future or predicting the future, but rather, about the possibility of a future or other world alternative and about exploring the “what ifs” based on present-day events.
What it is not. • Science Fiction is often confused with Fantasy: stories that set aside reality. • Science Fiction is not exactly realistic, and both Sci-Fi + Fantasy can have monsters, larger than life characters, etc., so it is easy to see why the two genres get confused. • Helpful ways to distinguish the two: • Fantasy has MAGIC. Sci-Fi does not (usually). • Sci-Fi has an emphasis on science, technology, etc. • Is Star Wars Sci-Fi or Fantasy? • Let the Debate begin!
Other Related Genres: Sometimes, a story might contain a “scifi”- like element, yet it falls under a different genre. Several of these types would be: fantasy, horror and mythology. Consider the movie Alien which clearly has both science fiction AND horror elements.
More Definitions of Sci-Fi: • Science fiction is a writing style which combines science and fiction. • It is constrained by what we presently regard as the basic physical laws of nature. • It evolved as a response to fantasy.
Theodore Sturgeon, author: "A good science-fiction story is a story about human beings, with a human problem, and a human solution, which would not have happened at all without its science content."
Robert A. Heinlein, author: Science fiction is "realistic speculation about possible future events, based solidly on adequate knowledge of the real world, past and present, and on a thorough understanding of the nature and significance of the scientific method."
Sam Moskowitz, fan and biographer: "Science fiction is a brand of fantasy identifiable by the fact that it eases the 'willing suspension of disbelief' on the part of its readers by utilizing an atmosphere of scientific credibility for its imaginative speculations in physical science, space, time, social science, and philosophy."
Influences on Sci-Fi: Mary Shelley: Frankenstein (1818) was considered highly influential in its creativity. It wasn’t read as SF but as a Gothic romance that included a morality tale. The Industrial Revolution: (1775) is often named as an influence on the early development of SF as society became more technologically oriented. It was natural for writers to think about the effects of scientific advances on human society as society rapidly changed.
The Goals of science fiction? To observe society and prepare us for the results of science and technology. To help us consider the consequences of our actions.
Goals of this class/semester: • To increase students’ familiarity with works, authors, themes, and literary techniques of the genre. • To increase the students’ ability to accurately speculate about the future of humanity and society. • To learn bits of “true science” and apply them to fiction or theory. • To discuss examples of science fiction with focus on social commentary. • To discuss and analyze concepts of human nature as presented in science fiction stories.
Major Themes: • Reaching beyond the bounds of time and space • Fantasy and escape • Exotic lands • Superhero vs. Supervillian • Defining man’s role in the universe • Philosophy and religion • New technology and its effect on mankind
Unit One: Classic Sci-Fi Time Travel and alternate realities. • Aliens, space travel, other worlds. • Human potential/powers. • Visions of the future. • Write a paper.
Unit Two: Science VS Fiction • Reading Circles and Research: Science VS Fiction • Old Man’s War + Space/aliens. • Time Traveler’s Wife + Time travel. • The Demolished Man + Super Powers. • Brave New World + The future. • Jurassic Park + genetic engineering.
Unit Three (A): Playing God • Frankenstein: • Read a few chapters and annotate. • Genetic engineering debate.
Unit Three (B): Robots and Artificial Intelligence • Robot Stories: • Robots are good? • Robots are bad? • Where should we draw the line?
Unit Four: Awesome Sci-Fi • Read and discuss stories that rock. • Discuss other Major themes in The genre.
Main Categories of Sci-Fi: • Hard Science Fiction • Soft Science Fiction • Dystopia-stories in which the society is dominated by negative factors • Utopia-stories in which society’s problems have, for the most part, been cured and daily life is perfect. (or is it?)
Def. of Hard Sci-Fi: • Takes place in one of the “hard” or physical sciences-chemistry, biology, astronomy, physics, math, etc. and the technology that comes from them. • Assumes an orderly universe with regular, discoverable laws. • There are 3 main categories of Hard Science Fiction. They are…..
Hard Sci-Fi, cont. • Gadget- How a machine or set of machines work OR the development of a machine or other technological device. • Extrapolative- Takes current knowledge and logically projects what the next steps might be or applies it in a new or different context. • Speculative- Takes Extrapolative stories one step further, but the logic of this progression is not always easy.
Def. of SOFT Sci-Fi: There are three basic concepts behind soft Science Fiction. They are…. It is based on the soft sciences such as sociology, psychology, anthropology, theology, and political science. These sciences are not as accepted as being capable of prediction as physical science. The focus is on human activity and relationships.
Def. of Soft Sci-Fi (cont.) • Soft sci-fi means that although the story is set in a “science fiction” world (the future, space, aliens instead of humans, etc.) that the story is STILL about humanity (even if the characters are not, in fact, human). • Without these “soft” elements, science fiction stories would just be about technology = boring. Stories NEED to be about people to have any weight or importance (not to mention a theme or point). • Quick Examples: Star Wars, Avatar, etc. • Quick Bad Example: Transformers 2 or 3? Sorry.
SOFT Sci-Fi (cont.) Example: What would happen if humans stopped being able to conceive children? How would this impact the aging population? Would there be any reason to go on? Would there be any purpose in . . . Anything? This film explores how an event would affect our psychology & sociology, while being set in the future.
On a scale. • Stories in this class will have BOTH hard and soft sci-fi elements. • No story is 100% hard or soft. If so, it would either be about technology and very boring, or be a normal fiction story with no science element at all. • Rate stories on a scale! SOFT HARD I----------------.-----------------I • Where would you put Avatar on this scale? The Matrix? The Dark Knight?
Two Constants of Sci-Fi: 1) Science Fiction is concerned with the effects of change on human beings. 2) We live in an orderly universe where the causes for change can be discovered and explained.
Growing Popularity Science Fiction has been a part of literature since at least 1818, and it has been a popular form of entertainment and enlightenment for over a century. There are hundreds of science fiction titles produced each year in the U.S. alone, and book sales are increasing nationwide. The number of movies, TV shows, comics and computer games that are aimed at a science fiction audience are growing every year as well.
Famous Sci-Fi authors: • Mary Shelly • Jules Verne • Isaac Asimov • George Orwell • H.G. Wells • Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. • Ray Bradbury • Michael Crichton • Aldous Huxley • Orson Scott Card • Philip K. Dick • Robert Heinlein • Ambrose Bierce • Harry Turtledove • Harlan Ellison • David Weber • Terry Bisson
Media Literacy • Since this is the information age, people are searching for solutions to help them cope with a rapidly changing world. • It is becoming harder to know what to believe and what not to believe. Things are changing so fast! • WE MUST BE CAREFUL WHAT WE BELIEVE! • FACTS are way too subjective and easy to manipulate! The “Facts” can change each day! • THEREFORE: We must use care and consideration when conducting research!
Final Thought: There are no easy solutions to the complexities of life, and most science fiction stories do not offer an answer but merely a vision. How we choose to use those glimpses into possible futures is up to us.
