Sci-Fi

Science fiction is among the most versatile forms of writing. It can be a romance, a comedy, a war story, a drama, a mystery and as the recent film The Wild, Wild West proves, even a western. Take any literary classic add in a crazed robot bent on world destruction, and a space station the size of a small moon, and BAM! Its Sci-Fi.

Science fiction belongs to a genre of writing called speculative fiction, which also includes fantasy. Perhaps the easiest way to define Speculative Fiction is all stories that take place in a setting contrary to known reality (Card 17). Which include:

1. Any story set in the future, beings future technologies cannot be known.

2. Alternate world stories, or stories set in a past that contradicts historical fact.

4. Stories set on earth before recorded history.

5. Stories that contradict a known or supposed law of nature.

Stories set in worlds that follow our rules are Sci-fi. If it is set in an universe that doesn't follow our rules it's fantasy.

Many sci-fi stories fall into several of the above categories. Star Wars for example takes place in an alternate world. It also has elements that contradict laws of nature, such

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Though not considered a classic it is definitely a cornerstone in the development of sci-fi. The original inspired such shows as Battle Star Galacticca and Lost in Space. Visions of future in these stories do not have to be correct and often times are not.

Time Travel is another common theme that has been with Science Fiction throughout it's evolution. This does not make his novel wrong, because most authors don't pretend that what they are writing will happen (Card 17). Though it is more fantastical than scientific, with a whole new world underground, complete with a monster filled ocean and a second sun, it is still considered a sci-fi classic. Since then thousands of novels, novellas and short stories have been published that are based on the principles of Time Travel. Of course the most well known of the these hollow earth stories is Jules Vernes Journey to the Center of the Earth. Which is okay beings the majority of readers are far more interested in the story itself than by making sure every small detail is accurate. The latter Star Trek series: The Next Generation, influenced modern sci-fi series such as Babylon 5 or Earth: Final Conflict.

With the every growing technology of the 21st century who knows what doors will be open for science fiction? What new speculations will writers have for the decades to come? .

(Rottenstiener 78)

Those laws are still followed by many Sci-fi writers today. Wells 1895 novel The Time Machine was among the first works to highlight this aspect of sf. Star Trek: The Next Generation's own android Data, is a good example of a modern work that applies Asimov's Laws of Robotics.

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