sci fi research - sub genres

7/27/2019 Sci Fi Research - Sub Genres

1/3

Research into Science Fiction pt.1:

Sci-fi Sub-Genres

There are many sub genres under the Sci-Fi Genre, however most science fiction workswill involve more than one defined sub genre. Below are brief descriptions of various subgenres, which I am looking into before focusing on any few at this point.

Hard Sci fi -Focuses on more in depth attention todetail in sciences such as physics, astrophysics,

chemistry. Creates worlds with accurate designs that

seem like possible accurate predictions for futurescience and technology. Writers of the genre usually

have a scientific or mathematical background.

Soft & Social Sci fi -Based on social sciences such asphysiology, economics, political science, sociology and

anthropology. Stories mainly focused on character andemotion; utopian & dystopian stories. E.g. Nineteen

Eighty Four, George Orwell.

Apocalyptic/ post apocalyptic - The end of humancivilization typically caused by man made disaster e.g

nuclear warfare, or threat of an invasion. Postapocalyptic is the aftermath. E.g. The last of us, 2013.

Biopunk - Focuses on biotechnology : humanexperimentation, genetic mutation. e.g. Governmentsor corporations misusing biotechnology for personal

Vikki Kerslake, Unit: Character

Fig.2: George Orwells 1984

Fig.1: Futurama


2/3

profit/greed/power. Early example of Biopunk genre: the island of Dr. Moreau by H.G. Wells.

Climate-fiction - Focuses on threat ofclimate change and global warming. E.g. The Day AfterTomorrow, 2004.

Military - Story usually set around military technology, procedure, ritual, and history withconflict between national, interplanetary, or interstellar soldiers. E.g. Starship Troopers, 1997.

Steampunk - Usually set in n industrialized Western world in the 19th century, where theworld is made up of steam powered machinery. Typically an alternate take on British Victorian

or American Wild Western eras. Examples are: Bioshock Infinite, 2013 and Howls MovingCastle, 2004.

Time travel: Typically set in the 18th and 19th century. Examples are TV Show Dr Who, andThe Time Machine by H.G Wells, 1895. The Time Machine originally came from Wells.

Space Frontier - Space exploration of the unknown. Example: Star Trek.

Space opera - Focus on melodramatic, romanticizedadventure set in space. Conflict can come fromopponents fighting against advanced technology, and is

often grand and on a large scale. Example: Mass Effectvideo game series.

Superheroes - Following humans who develop

superhuman abilities, which can either be from naturalcauses or scientific developments. Often focuses oncharacters alienation and how society reacts to them.

E.g. Stan Lees Spiderman.

Cyberpunk: Postmodern look on advancedtechnologies which have affected society in a negative

way, leading to breakdown of social order. Normallydystopian worlds. Characters are usually alienated from

society and daily life is affected by the change in

technology, e.g. Body modifications. Example: BladeRunner, 1982 and System Shock, 1994.

Space Western: Typical American Western stories andhistory combined with futuristic themes and adventures. Example: Cowboy Bebop, 1998.


Fig.3: Blade Runner, 1982


3/3

Typical Characters in Sci Fi

The absent minded professor

Sidekick

The golem

Ignorant friend Redshirt (expendable character)

Robot clone

Robot servant The Scientist: -

- Mad scientist

- Amoral scientist- Heroic scientist

Science Fiction Beings

Hive minds - collective consciousness/intelligence bound by multiple bodies/entities (e.g.Telephathy.)

Infomorphs - Virtual body of information which can take on a personality. Term was coinedby Charles Platt in his novel the Silicone Man

Noosphere - sphere of human thought

Artificial intelligence - science fiction works typically focuses on the idea of robotsdeveloping human intelligence.

Androids/gynoids - robot/synthetic creation built to resemble a human. Gynoid referrs totaking on a female form.

Cyborgs - Creations born with both organic and artificial parts

Clones - identical creation to an organism created by humans

Extraterrestrial life - Lifeforms from another planet

Benevolent aliens - Often the superior species which humans benefit from

Mutants - Mutants often develop super powers.

Shapeshifter's - Physically able to transform into another being or taking on another form.

Superhuman's - Humans with extra strength and unusual capabilities, such as psychic

powers. Often through genetic mutation


Fig.4: Doc Brown

sci fi research - sub genres

Documents