The History of Science Fiction

The Beginning Early 19 th century (1800s) A new curiosity Fantasy existed first Supernatural worlds (gods/demons) Mythical lands (Atlantis) Unattainable lands (the moon) Always written in past or present tense, not future

Cultural Changes Transition from Dark Ages to High Middle Ages Development of the plow Invention of the horse collar Invention of the printing press Protestant Reformation Spread of literacy Question established authority Scientific Revolution New technologies Exploration Industrial Revolution Great Britain Swifter changes Machines

Results of Change Fear related to Consequences of changes “Nightmares” ahead Two groups Pessimists Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein H.G. Well’s War of the Worlds Optimists Jules Verne’s 20,000 Leagues under the Sea

Modern Ideas Term “Science Fiction” not used until 1920s Literature of possibility Follows scientific discoveries “Predicts” future scientific discoveries

ELEMENTS OF SCIENCE FICTION an introduction to The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury

Aliens Aliens are one of the central characteristics of the science-fiction genre. ~aliens coming to Earth, ~humans encountering aliens on space explorations ~sometimes the aliens are friendly, ~sometimes as mortal enemies.

ROBOTS Often have human versatility and appearance ~work alongside humans as equals ~evolve to become superior to and overcome humans ~search to become human ~artificial intelligence to learn from and grow from experiences not just from programming ~simulation of human expressions and emotions ~”robot” comes from the Czech word for a slave ~”robot” comes from the Czech word for a slave

GENETICS GENETICS Control of human evolution ~genetic engineering to control gene patterns before birth ~disease and birth defect eradication ~manipulate human characteristics / traits ~cloning to save endangered species ~cloning for organ harvesting ~bionic humans ~replacement organs or prosthetics ~creation of the “super” human ~intelligence ~physical strength

SPACE TRAVEL SPACE TRAVEL Space travel is a common element of sci-fi ~humans wonder whether or not they're alone in the universe, ~what might happen if humans encounter other life forms. This also encompasses Space Colonization ~Earth over-population ~Terra forming – making other planets habitable for humans planets habitable for humans

TIME TRAVEL In scientific theory, time travel is possible based on potential technologies utilizing scientific knowledge. In fiction, time travel poses many questions: ~time travel paradox, ~protagonists can glimpse the future or change events in the past.

Science fiction novels are often placed in a futuristic setting, Other sci-fi novels feature alternate histories ~world governments ~honors (or not) cultural diversity ~possible inter-stellar federations/alliances Futuristic Setting Or Alternate History

Advanced Technology Early science fiction focused on the hard science, and the development of advanced technology, or creative ways to utilize existing technology. ~some traditional sci-fi technology that could be very real in the future ~computerized education ~global communication ~some science fiction writers have proven almost prophetic in predicting the rise of technology ~other have foreshadowed or outright predicted other pieces of technology. ~other have foreshadowed or outright predicted other pieces of technology.

Dystopia One common theme of many science fiction novels is a dystopia set sometime in the future. ~used to explore current social issues, ~revolves around technological misutilization ~DEFINITION: an imagined place where everything is unpleasant or environmentally degraded; involves a totalitarian government; the opposite of a utopia

Exploration Of Popular Societal Or Cultural Issues: Much of sci-fi attempts to explore popular societal or cultural issues ~ class struggles ~misuse of technology, ~a world destroyed by war; ~ a world destroyed by overuse; ~ a world in which the government controls everything; ~ a world in which genetic experimentation has gone terribly awry.

Science Fiction Follows Scientific Rules: Science fiction novels follow scientific rules, to some degree. Fantasy (another genre) suspends scientific rules.

Science Fiction Authors to Know an introduction to The Martian Chronicles Ray Bradbury

Mary Shelley Key work: Frankenstein Trivia: first full-blown science fiction novel Fiction to Fact: electric shock to restart heart transplanted organs transplanted organs

Jules Verne Key work: Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea Trivia: considered to be the founding father of modern science fiction Fiction to Fact: rockets, submarines, fax machines

H.G. Wells Key work: War of the Worlds The Time Machine The Time Machine Trivia: first science fiction writer to be a trained scientist; first to write about alien invasions Fiction to Fact: atom bomb, genetic engineering

George Orwell Key Work: Animal Farm; Nineteen Eighty-Four Trivia: wrote about political horrors; totalitarian dictatorships; “Big brother is watching you.” Fiction to Fact: electronic spying; spin-doctors who create pseudo-news

Issac Asimov Key work: I, Robot Trivia: had the ability to explain difficult concepts in simple, clear language Fiction to Fact: robots in service to man, artificial intelligence, distance learning

Arthur C. Clark Key work: 2001: A Space Odyssey Trivia: CBS’s expert commentator on the Apollo moon missions Fiction to Fact: communication satellites, man’s destruction of earth

Ray Bradbury Key work: The Martian Chronicles; Fahrenheit 451 Fahrenheit 451 Trivia: was actually anti-science and anti- technology Fiction to Fact: earphones, TV as a replacement for reading, flat screen (wall) TV