Science fiction
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Science fiction is fiction that revolves around a possibility created by science or technology, generally a possible future scenario. The description made in these writings is mainly about the society and its changes, not only on the scientific aspects of life. One of the fathers of science fiction was Jules Verne. Another one was H. G. Wells. Isaac Asimov is one of the best authors in this genre. He was very prolific, making more than 200 works (in science fiction, history, mystery, science divulgation, etc).
It was born on XIX century and the XX was the Golden Age of Science Fiction. Magazines like Astounding, Amazing were among the first to publish this genre. Later, the authors started to write novels and the directors to make movies.
[edit] Subgenres
There are two main subdivisions: hard and soft. Hard is a well documented story, a tale that could be real in the future. Authors on this genre are Jules Verne, Isaac Asimov. On the contrary, the soft one is where the force of mind accounts for the science fiction tricks. For example, on Barsoom series from Burroughs, the main character travels to Mars while in an astral travel. Besides, there are others:
- Time travel The End of Eternity by Isaac Asimov
- Interestellar travel (Star Trek series)
- Future societies (distopias like 1984 or Brave New World)
- Multiple universes or alternate realities (What If by Asimov)
- Cyberpunk (Neuromancer, Snow Crash)
- Virtual worlds (Matrix, 13th floor, eXistenZ, Dark City movies)
- Galactic Empires (Foundation series by Asimov and Star Wars books)
See the Science Fiction category.
