Science Fiction Essays

The great philosopher, Isaac Asimov, once affirmed that modern science fiction "is the only form of
literature that consistently considers the nature of the changes that face us" (Insert Citation). Science
fiction is the imaginative extrapolation of a true natural phenomena that is existing in the present, or
that is likely to exist in the future. When indulging in the world of science fiction literature, it is
recommended to consider whether a story is pessimistic or optimistic. Generally, people will
discover that science fiction stories, such as "Devolution," "Passengers," and "Dark They Were and
Golden Eyed" are pessimistic due to the reality of the situations that occur within the plot. Tragedy is
a form of trauma that is inevitably...show more content...
Plagued by the devastation of his discovery, Woodin commits suicide as he no longer wishes to
exist in a polluted world (109). "Devolution" represents the idea of the world evolving in a negative
point of view as it shows how even the knowledge of how the human race has devolved inhibited the
spirit of a man to cause him to take his own life. Hamilton presents his science–fiction in a
pessimistic light as Woodin, in his final moments, only saw the negative aspects of what had come
to be in the world.
The plot and literary elements present in Robert Silverberg's "Passengers" are pertinent to the
symptoms of a drug addiction. Throughout the short story, "Passengers," these individuals can be
referred to as the root of all evil, which is metaphorical for a drug addiction. Passengers will take
hold of their victims and drain their ability to function with an independent body or mind
(Silverberg 168). Passengers are beings that completely take over the entirety of the human body
and mind, causing victims of the passenger to lose all control. These individuals provoke their
victims to obtain strange, inordinate behaviors that would not be accepted by normal standards of
society (169). People who are addicted to any type of drug will obtain strange behavior patterns. The
literary elements within this narrative represent multiple aspects of a drug addiction. Silverberg
explains that "we
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Characteristics of Good Science Fiction Essay
From catastrophic cyberpunk to futuristic space opera, science fiction texts remain perennial
favourites with readers. Science fiction extends scientific principles in a fictional sense to form the
plot while catering to society's ever changing scientific interests. Early sci–fi employed slow–paced
storylines and wishfully extrapolated every technological breakthrough. However, more recent texts
have a stronger foundation in scientific theory, and serve as a critical mirror to the advances of
humanity. Despite the constant revolution of the sci–fi genre, good science fiction is and always will
be characterised by scientific principles, creative fiction and analytical social commentary. Most
quality sci–fi texts incorporate a degree of...show more content...
Good sci–fi creates visions of the future, or of alternative universes. By setting stories in the near or
distant future, sci–fi provides audiences with perspectives of where current practices may take us in
the future. The fictional element must aim to evoke a sense of the unreal as it exposes a new world
with different values and beliefs. Frank Herbert's 'Dune' is a prime example of evocative fiction as
the story revolves around a powerful spice which, when consumed, prolongs life, provides
precognitive senses, but at the same time, is harmfully addictive. The artistic storyline of 'Dune'
appealed to numerous readers and reflects the importance of imaginative fiction. While creativity
within science fiction is essential, the human element must be retained for readers to relate easily to
characters. Throughout 'Dune', a range of human emotions is portrayed by main character Paul
Atreides – delight, gloominess and curiosity as he begins a new life with the primitive 'Fremens'.
The representation of these recognisable emotions makes the story believable and readers may feel
what Paul is going through. Overall, good science fiction is characterised by an imaginative fictional
element that retains its human constituent. Good sci–fi does not blindly celebrate progresses in
science and technology, rather it questions and critiques. Social commentary, the author's opinions on

Science Fiction and Fantasy
The question is whether it is possible to distinguish between fantasy and true science fiction. I am
reminded of the analogy, attributable I believe, to Theodore Sturgeon, of the elf ascending
vertically the side of a brick wall. In a science fiction story the knees of the elf would be bent, his
center of gravity thrown forward, his stocking cap hanging down his neck, with his feet quite
possibly equipped with some form of suction cups. In a fantasy, on the other hand, the elf would
simply stride up the wall in a normal walking posture, with his stocking cap standing straight out
from his brow. What is the difference between these scenarios? The typical answer is that thescience
fiction story must play by the implicit rules of the...show more content...
But it is suggestive of a much deeper and wider interest in the theme than many has been willing to
recognize. So far, literary criticism has not adequately dealt with this fact. In light of the cultural
influences already mentioned, these essays, by and large, take a generally Christian and theological
approach to the topic. This is by no means the only possibility, but it is a good beginning, especially
as numbers of works recognized as outstanding science fiction have overtly Christian content the
works of Edgar Rice Burroughs, for instance.
In many books intended to introduce science fiction and/or fantasy to those who are not familiar
with the field, there is a curious shilly–shallying about the difference between science fiction and
fantasy. Typically the author starts off by stating confidently that the difference consists of the fact
that science fiction deals with what is scientifically possible, whereas fantasy deals with what is not
scientifically possible. Then the author loses his or her nerve a bit, because, after all, faster
than–light travel is, so far as we know, scientifically impossible, and much modern science fiction
could not do without it; the solar system is now too small for science fiction. And then there is that
good old science fiction theme, time travel, which may be not only scientifically impossible, but
somehow logically impossible. So, the grand generalization dies away in a flurry of qualifications,
and the subject is

Jurassic Park: Science Or Science Fiction?
One of the most well–known and beloved movies franchises of all time, Jurassic Park broke
boundaries in the world of science fiction. But what if one were to say that much of the science
behind the movie was actually a major misconception. Though the science seems plausible to the
common viewer, much of it is actually science fiction (as the genre implies). The film revolves
around the concept that dinosaurs were brought back through the reconstruction of DNA strands
found in mosquitos trapped within nuggets of amber. It was believed that mosquitos, through their
parasitic feeding on a host's (in this case some dinosaur) blood, would preserve the DNA of such
organisms to the point that they could later be extracted, rebuilt using DNA splicing,

The Importance Of Science Fiction
Science Fiction is a genre of fiction that involves science and technology as a main aspect in its
stories. It is a genre that has many subgenres such as apocalyptic or post–apocalyptic science fiction,
zombie fiction, hard science fiction, dystopian fiction, time travel fiction, parallel world fiction, alien
fiction, science fiction horror, steampunk, and many more. Ideas in science fiction stories are meant
to be believable, and achievable because they can be explained scientifically. Science fiction is a
very innovative genre in and of itself because authors are always coming up with new ideas that
haven't been written about previously or been discovered in the scientific world. I argue that science
fiction can be made new by fusing...show more content...
Science fiction is the genre of change and it explores possible discoveries in the future and the ideas
of what the authors believe the future will be like. It is the genre of "what if." Science fiction
authors commonly strive to create stories that evoke curiosity from their readers, and make them
think about the future. Science fiction is typically takes place on another planet, in space, or in
another dimension or completely different universe altogether. Sci–Fi authors chiefly have their
stories take place in a futuristic setting, but sometimes they will set the story in a fabricated version
of the present or past. Stories usually include characters that are aliens, robots, humanoid robots, and
more. Science fiction usually has futuristic technology such as teleportation devices, artificial
intelligent robots, or weapons like light sabers. Author Tom Shippey said, "Science fiction is hard to
define because it is the literature of change and it changes while you are trying to define it."
Blending science fiction and fantasy:
I believe that blending the impossible with the possible, or fantasy and science fiction, would be a
way to make the genre of science fiction new and different. One of the key characteristics of science
fiction is having the ideas in the story be scientifically plausible. Rod Serling's

Science Fiction In Frankenstein
Science fiction, debated among literary critics and pop culture enthusiasts alike, is a term that
categorizes thousands of works. It has multiple definitions, but there is a clear origin in
Frankenstein. Not only does the work fit into every definition of the genre, but also it spawned a
new era and genre of literature. Combining Romantic and Gothic literature, Mary Shelley began the
trend of forming a warning based off science in a hypothetical novel. Shelley's novel Frankenstein
influenced literature, along with pop culture, by creating the genre of science fiction. To propose
Frankenstein as the creator of the genre, science fiction must be properly defined. Brian Aldiss
defined it as, "the search for a definition of man and his status...show more content...
She influenced Emily BrontГ« in writing Wuthering Heights with the frame narrative that Shelley
made popular. The monster with feelings motif was greatly popularized by Frankenstein, spawning
Dracula, along with many movies both directly based off Shelley's novel and unintentional
similarities. This came along with the mad scientist trope in many movies and H.G. Wells's The
Island of Doctor Moreau. Frankenstein has become a major pop culture figure beyond literature.
Movies have transformed the monster into a completely different character. Video games use
monsters that reference the novel frequently, along with zombies related to Frankenstein's monster.
Frankenstein made its way to music with "Monster Mash" and several other songs. It even appeared
in the musical Rocky Horror Picture Show. It is one of the most well–known monster stories ever
written. Frankenstein has had a huge influence not only in literature, but also in pop

Science Fiction Film Genre Analysis Paper
Genre Definition Paper The science fiction film genre is absolutely the hardest to define. It can
easily be confused with or applied to Fantasy films and some horror films as well. Genres are used
to identify types of films, and outside of science fiction this is a fairly simple process. A Western is
set in the west and has cowboys and Indians. A gangster film has a plot revolving around the mafia. A
horror film is centrally purposed to scare the viewer. Science fiction, on the other hand, is not easy to
nail down what it is. Some critics would list certain films as science fiction, and an equally
acclaimed critic may not include a certain fil in the science fiction genre. I will present four different
definitions of the science fiction...show more content...
This definition sees to fall in line with the last due to its use of the word "speculative". This
means that what this genre puts to us in its plot should not be written off as impossible or
ridiculous, but is possible. This shows that we watch it to get a feeling of making the unknown
known and the unproven proved. We watch to see things that we may not see in our lifetime
because they are so improbable, but they are possible, and therefore provides for interesting and
engaging films within the genre. The genre may discuss known or unknown worlds that could
include everything from distant alien worlds to other dimensions, but just because they are
unknown to us does not mean they do not exist. Something I've neglected to mention thus far is that
the genre relies on plausibility as well due to how much imagination is required. If you see black
and white and cannot wrap your head around the ideas or plotlines presented in a science fiction film,
it does not mean that the film is not good, it means the viewer is not capable of grasping the artistic
and plausible elements presented for entertainment. The fourth and final definition that I will present
is the longest, but I will wade through the pros and cons of this definition. It is as follows: "Science
fiction film is a film genre that uses science fiction: speculative,

Essay on Science in Science Fiction
Science fiction has been defined many different ways over the years, though no clear definition has
come out on top. There are many different aspects to science fiction and what it consists of. The
most popular and recognizable characteristics are science, technology, time travel, scientific method,
different worlds, and catastrophe. By including these it helps the reader identify the story as a work of
science fiction. Because science fiction's primary focus is science, it comes naturally that it
becomes the main focus of the story. The way an author decides to depict the use of science varies
greatly from story to story. Some may choose to use science in a good way, while others may show
the negative impacts science could have. In "Nine...show more content...
After the nine clones die Kaph is left with Martin and Pugh. In the story Kaph says, "I am
nine–tenths dead. There is not enough of me left alive" (Le Guin 468). Because the closest things
to him, the clones, are gone Kaph feels as if he cannot go on, thus pushing him into further
isolation from Martin and Pugh. Le Guin creates alienation between the humans and clones, and
then works to bring them together. Towards the end of the story, Kaph asks Pugh if he loves
Martin, to which Pugh replies that he does. He then tells Kaph that he does not have to leave, and
that he can continue with Pugh and Martin on their mission (Le Guin 475). This small gesture
leads to Kaph feeling less isolated; he feels as though he may have a chance at life without his
clones. It also leads to a more emotional viewing of Kaph by the readers. Instead of seeing him as
just a clone, readers can begin to see that he actually does have feelings.
Le Guin's heroes are of a "divided allegiance" and "ha[ve] responsibilities to his own culture and to
the culture he visits" (Huntington 237). Although they may not want to admit it to one another,
Martin, Pugh, and Kaph have some dependability on each other. The science is the major cause of
that dependability which, in the end, leads to a deeper connection for the three. Without their initial
differences, Martin and Pugh being human and Kaph being a clone, they would not have had the

Characteristics Of Science Fiction
Comparative essay of the science fiction genre.
Media GCSE– Jeanine Ros.
Science fiction is a genre tracing back to the 2nd century, but the main science fiction terms became
famous in the 1920's. Found mainly in films and literature, it has developed to be a very popular
genre to watch and read. Science fiction exists of imaginative content such as futuristic settings,
science and technology, space, time and faster than light travel, parallel universes and
extra–terrestrial life. Popular movie releases of 2014 within science fiction are Guardians of the
Galaxy, The Maze Runner, Interstellar, Divergent and many more. The demographics for Sci
–Fi
would be predominantly male due to the uses and gratifications that are offered by it. The male
gender can personally identify themselves better in a sci–fi movie than a female, as sci–fi has a lot of
technology which can be related with a male protagonists. They can also put themselves in the
position of being the typical science fiction character trying to either destroy or save the word as
their characteristics would relate.My main text to...show more content...
robotic which is very conventional to science fiction, and it uses modern technology which doesn't
exist in contemporary life– implying it is set in the future– which is key for identifying the science
fiction genre. On the contrary, Paul incorporates one alien, while the rest of the characters are
humans living their normal lives. The only other convention seen in the movie is a large spaceship
as well as present–day weaponry, which isn't easily comprable with the amount of conventions seen
in Tron. However, The Maze Runner is more correspondent with the science fiction conventions of
Tron due to the modern material and mechanics. none the less it does revolve around humans and
their journey to survive in the

The Science Fiction Film Genre Essay
Science Fiction Films
The science fiction film genre has been around almost as long as movies have, but like the cinema
it is still a fairly young art form. This genre came into existence shortly after the invention of the
movie camera in 1888 and has endured for over one–hundred years. Science fiction is adaptive; it
changes with the times and this trend can be seen in its incorporation of other genres, cultural
history and technology. This essay will attempt to define the genre, chronicle the history and
evolution, and explore its relation to technology. This is in general and in the cinema.
When discussing the science fiction film genre a problem occurs. The distinction between science
fiction and other genres is not always clear cut. Many movies span between the science fiction
genre and other genres. Movies such as The Ring (2002) or the Alien series (1979, 1986, 1992,
and 1997) illustrate how the distinction between science fiction and horror films can be obscure.
Some comedies, such as Mars Attacks (1996) and Back to the Future (1985), are very much science
fiction. In fact there is an example of a science fiction film fitting into almost any genre. Starship
Troopers (1997) parallels a war film and Outland (1981) resembles a western in many respects.
The characteristics that define the science fiction genre can be difficult to pin down. A genre such as
the western has easily identifiable characteristics such as cowboys, guns, the Wild West, and bad
guys with

Definition of Science Fiction Essay
Perhaps one of the most versatile genres in films, television, books, artwork and any number of
things today is science fiction. Many times I have seen a sci–fi movie filed under comedy or drama.
That is one of the major things that has led to my love for science fiction, the simple fact that it can
be so much more than just science fiction. I would like to present a definition of what science fiction
is in this paper. My definition will not be exact, because so many people have a different idea of
what counts as sci–fi and, not only that, but we may have found yet another venue for science
fiction by the time this paper is complete. In order to define what science fiction is and to support
my definition, I am going to give some examples...show more content...
One could argue that this is just a fictional story or even fantasy, but it still retains an element of
science and, therefore, falls into the category of science fiction.
Time travel: is it really science fiction? Some people would not agree that it is true sci–fi since there
are so many arguments as to why time travel cannot exist. Personally, I think time travel is science
fiction since it is based on our laws of physics and can be shown mathematically using Physics
(relativity, etc.). Since I believe time travel falls into this category, I would like to give a great
example of a time traveling story. H.G. Wells' The Time Machine is a fantastic story about a
scientist who is ridiculed by his peers for his theories on time travel and even examples he shows
them. He ends up traveling through time in a machine that he built and has a fantastic adventure.
An interesting addition to this list of science fiction is Jurassic Park, the book and movie. The first
time that someone mentioned this was sci–fi to me I was a little surprised, but after thinking about it
for a second I realized they were right. The dinosaurs were created using a scientific process and,
somewhat, neatly explained within the story. Every time I watched that movie I had never stopped
to think about what genre it was, which happens with many people I'm sure and not just with that
movie. This is one of my favorite examples of science fiction because people normally just think

The Importance Of Science Fiction
Science fiction has indeed played a significant role in not only speculating about the future, but in
many instances has actually shaped and molded some of the social and cultural norms we see
today. Science fiction is about what could be, in the realm of actual scientific related possibilities,
not farfetched ones. Look at Isaac Asimov's speculative vision of robotics and mankind living side
by side, in peace and harmony. When Asimov wrote the stories in compiled in I Robot, the idea
that humans and robots would be working side by side was unfathomable and yet here we are today
with robots driving us around (self driving cars) and performing surgeries on humans. On the other
hand, camp is a completely different spectacle in terms of...show more content...
In a film without even a hint of camp can have the expectations of camp. Camp has alternated what
science fiction was founded on; reality with a mix of speculation versed in reason. Camp no longer
lets science fiction do what it once did which was to speculate realistically of what the future might
hold. Let's go back to Asimov's early stories his novel I Robot and compare them to the new film
starring Will Smith. Will Smith, who is best remembered for his role in the hit tv sitcom The
Fresh Prince of Bel Air, is a well versed actor but yet he cannot seem to shake off that comedic
persona of his. Maybe this is due in part to his long time role in The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.
When watching I Robot with Will Smith, the seriousness of the plot is lessened due to his
humorous nature. This is what camp has done to science fiction. Camp has inhibited science
fiction from doing what's it's been doing since the emergence of the genre which is to
contemplate of what is actually possible and may come to pass in the future. Science fiction is no
longer just for geeks and nerds, but play a role to the society as a way to address current problems
as well as possible new ones. Lets take the famous sheep "Dolly," who was the first cloned sheep, or
fist cloned anything for that matter. There were many proponents against cloning stating that it went
against ethics and nature. This was of course due to a lack of understanding of what the process of
cloning actually entails. There

Science and Literature Essay
Science and Literature
Science can be an inspiration for literature. Normally we think of science as one kind of human
investigation and literature as another, and that the two do not have anything in common, yet in
science fiction we have the bringing together of the these two disciplines, either from the perspective
of the literary imagination or that of the scientific mind, Fred Hoyle and
Michael Crichton, for example. Science examines the nature of the real world and seeks by means of
technology and hard logic to gain an understanding of it; it works with evidence. Literature seeks for
truth, which does not necessarily lie in the real world around us but rather in our minds and our
imaginations; it works with...show more content...
We have alternative means of propelling our engines, like hydrogen for instance, which could do
the job without polluting the air we breathe. So instead of blaming science and technology, we as
citizens within a society need first to be more educated in science to be able to understand the
causes of problems and we need to understand how to use science to seek better alternatives like the
above, and our leaders, our politicians, need to understand this approach as well. The Andromeda
Strain illustrates this very well. For example, the scientists in the film request that the President
bomb the town infected by a virus from outer space, but the President, through his representative,
postpones the decision to act in order to discuss with his cabinet the pro's and con's of taking action.
Not only does the representative deny an immediate response, in spite of the scientists' insistence
that there is great immediate danger, but he does so with a sarcasm that reflects his lack of respect
for the scientists.
This is a clear illustration of Bishop's point that "science today is increasingly mistrusted and under
attack" (237). For example, politicians, and these politicians, through their ignorance of the scientific
mind, will not be supportive of the very scientists who can save them and the world.

Arguments For Science Fiction
Science Fiction Argument
Imagine a world where everything was run by a corrupt controlling government. You are living in
a world of poverty. You have no rights and those around are too scared to say anything. The
government calls this society a haven when really it is a nightmare. This is just one of the many
scenarios science fiction brings to light. Science fiction depicts everyday fears of society. Science
fiction stories bring the fears of society to life. Science fiction gives readers a perspective on life and
the problems of people who live in these conditions might be facing. One major fear of society is
the fear of living under a controlling government. Controlling government often mistreat people and
eliminate individuality to...show more content...
The guards took her away to the doctor. "For two days she writhed on the table, her hands and
feet still bound with rope, waiting for her body to eject the murdered baby. In the final stage of
labor, a male doctor yanked the dead fetus out by the foot, then dropped it into a garbage can. She
had no money for a cab. She had to hobble home, blood dripping down her legs and staining her
white sandals red." This shows how brutal China's one child policy is. The basic human right is taken
away from the citizens. Therefore, the above articles prove that controlling governments often
mistreat people and eliminate individuality.
In a short story called "Harrison Bergeron" by Kurt Vonnegut, was mainly about the government
covering every keen, attractive, strong, accomplished, gifted, etc... person. The government has
done this to eliminate individuality and to make everyone equal. For instance, George Bergeron
was an intelligent and a tremendously wise person. This causes his to wear a obnoxious device to
scatter his beliefs if he considered or obtained an ingenious thought. This is conspicuous in the story
" The transmitter would send out some sharp noises to keep people like George from taking unfair
advantage of their brain," (Vonnegut 1), this device is fluctuates different sounds to make sure
George does not show his shrewd side. This reveals how the prejudicial the

Sci Fi (Science Fiction) and Fantasy Essay
Whether you are a fan or not, Science Fiction and Fantasy is, or has been, present in your life at
some point. The genre has helped progress society in many ways. Sci–fi and Fantasy are for the
creative. One cannot embrace the wild and imaginative plot lines without the ability to think
creatively. Sometimes the fantastical ideas presented in the books and shows are absorbed by these
creative and inventive minds and applied to the real world. Gene Roddenberry, the creator of Star
Trek once said, "For me science fiction is a way of thinking, a way of logic that bypasses a lot of
nonsense. It allows people to look directly at important subjects." These genres are a way of
looking at the world in a whole new light, exploring endless...show more content...
So many movies nowadays are based on books, many of which have a strong Science Fantasy
element. People of all ages are becoming interested in the genre thanks to new series such as Harry
Potter by JK Rowling a tale filled with fantasy elements like wizards and warlocks. Twilight a
love story that revolves around vampires, written by Stephanie Meyers, is a very popular fantasy
trilogy among teenage girls. The Dystopian feel of the Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and of
Divergent by Veronica Roth is Science Fiction with a message to modern society. Movies are
coming out based on classic fantasy books too, such as The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien, the prequel to
the hit Lord of the Rings series. The British Sci–fi Drama Doctor Who just celebrated its 50th
anniversary! Not to mention the recent reboot of Star Trek and the upcoming Star Wars films.
Video games, too, have felt the influence of the genre with huge games like Assassin's Creed,
BioShock, and Portal. With these interesting bits of media becoming so well known and loved I
wouldn't be surprised if Science Fiction/ Fantasy grew even more common in the years to come.
Science fiction is everywhere. A lot of technology that we take for granted today was talked about or
dreamed about in Sci–fi years before it came to exist in the real world. Of course, not everything in
Science Fiction/Fantasy is a

The Influence of Science Fiction
Films do and have always reflected society because they show what's important to people. Films
demonstrate fads and hot button issues. Film is not only a piece of art but also a tool of social
reform as it expresses the feelings of humans and their idea of contemporary society. Films are the
mirror that reflect the society. They are controlled by powerful forces that filter information to the
public as well as reflect their fears. This has been held true in the film industry for many decades.
For example, when society had a fear of widespread crime then there were many films that reflected
the police catching the criminals. When society felt that the schools were not educating the children
then there were films reflecting inspirational...show more content...
This fear was evident in the science fiction films made in that decade. The Japanese, who had
already suffered the most from the atomic fallout, were foremost in delivering this terror on film.
Godzilla was the result of the American atomic ability. Godzilla wreaked havoc on Tokyo and
Japanese citizens. Godzilla can be seen as a metaphor for the horrors the Japanese people
endured and was a way to face their fears in the safety of a movie theater. American filmmakers
were also concerned with the consequences of nuclear technology. They created their own
monsters in films such as The Beast of 20,000 Fathoms. This film was based on Ray Bradbury's
short story, "The Foghorn". It revealed the horrors that atomic technology and radiation can
wreak on both the environment and on the creatures that live on the planet. It involved the
accidental awakening of a King Kong with fins by atomic testing in the Arctic. The beast headed
for New York devastating everything in its path before it was defeated by "good radioactivity".
These movies were entertaining and provided a crude snapshot of the way America desperately
did not want itself to be. The fear of social change was also predominate in the 1950s. The greatest
social change of the 50's can be contributed to the rise of the babyboom era. At the end of World
War II thousands of soldiers returned home to their families where the

The Changing Role of Science Fiction Essay
Science fiction means a lot of things to a lot of different people, thus a variety of definitions have
arisen to allow for this. Perhaps the most simple of these can be found in the The Merriam–Webster
Dictionary, which states that science fiction is "fiction dealing principally with the impact of actual
or imagined science on society or individuals" (652). Most of academia, however, prefers an
extended version from Darko Suvin, who says SF is:
A literary genre whose necessary and sufficient conditions are
the presence and interaction of estrangement and cognition, and
whose main formal device is an imaginative framework alternative
to the author's empirical environment (Online 4).
While either of...show more content...
He also says that "Proto SF has to embody a sense [. . .] that the marvels it depicts can be argued for,
if necessary by example and analogy from the existing world" (35).
One of the first examples of this can be seen in The True History of Lucian of Samosata which
was written c. 175 C.E. Lucian was aware of the beginnings of true astronomy, which had, with
reasonable accuracy, determined the Moon's diameter and its distance from the Earth. He used
all known science of the time to write his book, but did not know that air wasn't present for most
of the way between the two heavenly bodies, therefore "his device of having a ship lifted by a
waterspout and carried to the Moon on a whirlwind seemed quite possible to him" (Del Rey 13).
Proto SF is a vast genre containing many well–known and not so well–known texts. Among these
can be found Shakespeare's Othello and Swift's Gulliver's Travels as well as Baron Ludvig
Holberg's Journey of Niels Klim to the World Underground, just to name a few.
Many scholars agree that the birth of science fiction came about in 1818 with the publication of
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. Shelley wrote in the popular style of the time, which lead many to
believe her novel more Gothic than SF, but the creation of the monster and

Science Fiction Skit
In this science fiction skit, we are going to take a look at the way people will survive a future, if the
air becomes too polluted for them to breathe normally with their lungs. Certainly, today people notice
the rapid affects of pollution on the human body. Their breathing is labored and some develop upper
respiratory infections. They start coughing out of control and have difficulty performing common
everyday chores. This is very apparent in polluted cities, more than out in the country. Perhaps in the
future, the toxic air will make it extremely difficult for anyone to breathe with their lungs, without
some type of assistance. Future Air Pollution
Before leaving the house, the parents and kids will check the air pollution sensors on the

The Literary Genre of Science Fiction
In Darko Suvin's "Metamorphoses of Science Fiction," Suvin argues that science fiction should be
considered its own literary genre. The reason he believes science fiction is distinct from other
literary genres is because of its transforming aspects. Suvin describes science fiction as the literature
of "cognitive estrangement," which includes a "novum". It is his belief that both cognition and
estrangement must be both present and interactive in science fiction. Although it can be argued that
science fiction is not its own literary genre because of its similarities to myth, fantasy, and folktale, it
is significantly different from these genres because of its ability to cause the reader to think in...show
more content...
This causes his/her view of reality to be transformed.
In "Metamorphoses of Science Fiction," Darko Suvin defends his cited definition of Science
Fiction as its own literary genre, by providing examples and pointing out the similarities and
differences arising from the comparison of science fiction to myth, folktale, and fantasy. Suvin
says that myths are similar to science fiction in the aspect that they both incorporate the usage of
estrangement. However, he points out that there are also many differences between them as well.
Science fiction sees the norms of reality as transformable and changeable, whereas myths are the
complete opposites. They "conceive human relations as fixed and supernaturally determined"(8).
This mean that the lives of characters are already made for them and that they do not have the
ability to change what will happen to them. Folktale is also similar to science fiction where it
defies the rules and laws of the empirical environment. However, folktales go above and beyond
transforming the empirical environment, it creates a "closed collateral world indifferent to
cognitive possibilities"(8). This means that in the world created in a folktale, anything is possible.
He uses the example of a flying carpet, stating, "The flying carpet evades the empirical law of
physical gravity"(8). This quote shows the difference between folktale and science fiction because a
folktale creates something that is

Essay about Sci-fI Films
In this essay I am going to discuss about the topic:
"Science fiction often plays off the real against the artificial, either in the form of humans versus
non–human (androids, cyborgs, synthetics), or the world versus the non–world (cyberspace,
inner–space, intentional space)".
I have chosen the films "The Matrix" and "Bicentennial Man"
An explosion in information access and exchange is fueling the Information Superhighway that was
created as a result of the computer revolution. If technology has truly become a god, then cyberspace
is definitely its bible. Its scope is endless; its breadth enormous. Although the foundation of
cyberspace, the computer, definitely serves to dehumanize culture, the Information Superhighway
itself does...show more content...
It shows robots that act like humans, performed by real actors. I'm going to criticize them because
in my opinion they exercise pernicious influence upon the public. In brief, The Bicentennial Man
(BM) tells the story of a robot that lasts for about 200 years. His creator and his descendants
change this robot, in order to acquire more and more human features. In the beginning he uses a
kind of armor, looking like a machine; during the night he connects a plug into the electric outlet to
recharge his batteries. Gradually, his appearance becomes more and more humane, to a point where
he acts as any normal human, with thinking, feeling and willing, that is, the robot would have
passed the total turning test. It is not clear if it would have passed the total total turning test. At the
end, the woman with whom the robot is in love is going to die, so he decides that he cannot suffer
her absence and should also "die" (Setzer 2002)
A 'cyborg', a contraction of Cybernetic Organism, is a hybrid of man (or woman) and machine. The
machine parts endow additional strength and physical capability while the human provides the
intelligence and will as well as much of the body, which makes them largely irrelevant to this
dissertation. Occasionally things are more complicated; when the machine part provides some
mental functions as well
The story of a reluctant Christ–like protagonist set against a baroque, MTV

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