Science Fiction as a genre Purpose of science

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Science Fiction - as a genre

Science Fiction - as a genre

Purpose of science fiction? �“Science fiction allows us to understand experience our past, present,

Purpose of science fiction? �“Science fiction allows us to understand experience our past, present, and future in terms of an imagined future. ” �Kathryn Cramer, The Ascent of Wonder (1994)

Many Definitions �The “What If” genre �Speculative fiction – stories / philosophical & literary

Many Definitions �The “What If” genre �Speculative fiction – stories / philosophical & literary �Futuristic �Impact of Technology and Science

Sci Fi - Fantasy Relationship with the principles of science. Grounded in a scientific

Sci Fi - Fantasy Relationship with the principles of science. Grounded in a scientific basis. No scientific background. Magical and mythical / supernatural creatures exist. May actually happen – Can never happen – is possible no grounding in reality

Themes �Futuristic Settings �Outer Space �Alien Life-forms �Discovery of new technologies �Discovery of new

Themes �Futuristic Settings �Outer Space �Alien Life-forms �Discovery of new technologies �Discovery of new Science impacting our life – the human element �Time-Travel

Themes �Hard Science, New Wave, Ecology, Messianic/Religious, Dystopia/Utopia, Apocalypse, Alternate and Parallel Worlds, Time

Themes �Hard Science, New Wave, Ecology, Messianic/Religious, Dystopia/Utopia, Apocalypse, Alternate and Parallel Worlds, Time Travel, Time Warp, Lost Worlds, Immortality, Psionic Powers, Space Opera, Galactic Empires, Militaristic, Space Travel, Alien Beings, Computers, Automation, Cyberpunk, Robots, Androids, Cyborgs, Social Criticism, The Superhuman, Women in Science Fiction, Love and Sex, Detectives in Science Fiction, and Science Fantasy.

A few terms �Psionics – using the mind to induce paranormal phenomena; telepathy, telekinetics

A few terms �Psionics – using the mind to induce paranormal phenomena; telepathy, telekinetics (used in Role-playing games) �Cyberpunk – postmodern, combining information-technology and cybernetics with collapse & disruption of society �Android – robot or synthetic organism designed to look and act like a human (Data from Star Trek) �Cyborg – a being with both biological and artificial (electronic, mechanical or robotic) parts (Terminator)

Robocop, 1987 (Cyborg) �http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=clq K 5 OC 3 BWE

Robocop, 1987 (Cyborg) �http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=clq K 5 OC 3 BWE

Literary History �Utopia 1516 �Gulliver’s Travels 1726 �Niels Klim 1741 �Frankenstein 1818 �Erewhon 1872

Literary History �Utopia 1516 �Gulliver’s Travels 1726 �Niels Klim 1741 �Frankenstein 1818 �Erewhon 1872 �Edgar Allan Poe, �H. G. Wells, �Jules Verne

20 th Century �Pulp Magazines �Isaac Asimov (Robot Series) �Hollywood and Science Fiction movies

20 th Century �Pulp Magazines �Isaac Asimov (Robot Series) �Hollywood and Science Fiction movies in the 30 s �Kurt Vonnegut (Slaughterhouse 5) �Aldous Huxley (Brave New World) �More negative towards technology �More focused on consequences

20 th Century – the Stars! � 1980 s: Star Wars IV, 1977, 1999

20 th Century – the Stars! � 1980 s: Star Wars IV, 1977, 1999 � http: //www. imdb. com/video/screenplay/vi 562301209/ � http: //www. fancast. com/movies/Star-Wars%3 A-Episode- I---The-Phantom-Menace/11746/746693117/Star-Wars. Episode-I%3 A-The-Phantom-Menace/videos � Star Trek, 1966 - http: //www. bing. com/videos/watch/video/star-trek-theoriginal-series-the-lights-ofzetar/cb 448 b 7 a 18 c 4 dede 73 a 0319249712213? q=star+trek&FORM=VIRE 5 � Isaac Asimov – Robot Series � Arthur C. Clarke (2001, A Space Odyssey) � Ray Bradbury (The Martian Chronicles) � Robert Heinlein (Stranger in a Strange Land)

Today �Difficult reputation �Regarded as pulp �Community of dedicated fans �Conventions, internet, fan groups

Today �Difficult reputation �Regarded as pulp �Community of dedicated fans �Conventions, internet, fan groups �Cults (Douglas Adams A Guide to the Galaxy) �Literature? Hitchiker’s

Samuel Butler, 1835 -1902 Erewhon, 1872

Samuel Butler, 1835 -1902 Erewhon, 1872

Samuel Butler �Philosopher, satirist, novelist, artist �Critic of established religious, social, and scientific ideas

Samuel Butler �Philosopher, satirist, novelist, artist �Critic of established religious, social, and scientific ideas �Shrewsbury, Cambridge �Sheep herder in New Zealand �Explorer �Waged war against the suppression of original thoughts and the hypocrisies of conventions �Attempted tor efute Darwin’s theory the existence of the divine in nature

Mr Heatherley's Holiday: an Incident in Studio Life 1874, Tate Gallery

Mr Heatherley's Holiday: an Incident in Studio Life 1874, Tate Gallery

Questions - Erewhon �Relate the story of Erewhon to science fiction as a genre.

Questions - Erewhon �Relate the story of Erewhon to science fiction as a genre. �Describe the population of Erewhon. �Discuss their attitude to illness and crime; explain what you think is the satire intended. �Discuss the description of death and statues; what is the author’s purpose? �Is Erewhon a utopia or dystopia? Explain.